Izah Azahari
The Brunei Book Festival is participated by government institutions and private bookstores in the Sultanate, and is filled with various activities throughout the 10 days, related to thinking skills, soft skills and guidance.
This was said by Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Acting Director Suip bin Haji Abdul Wahab in his welcoming speech at the launching of festival at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, in Berakas yesterday.
“The implementation of this event has a two-pronged aim: enlivening and echoing the celebration of the Language Month, and to foster and instil cognitive development, boost the creative industry, in addition to developing intellectual and emotional intelligence,” he added.
The festival, organised by the DBP, will be held until July 31.
Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan launched the festival.
Also present were Ambassador of Oman to Brunei Darussalam Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel Al-Maskari, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Brunei Darussalam Abel Guterres, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the MCYS Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah, heads of departments, former DBP directors and writers.
The DBP acting director said this is the first time that the festival is organised with a ‘book boutique’ concept, and coincides with the Language Month.
In continuously supporting the MCYS Strategic Plan 2020-2024 – ‘Building a cultured, resilient, competitive, responsible and caring society’, he said, “The event raises the theme ‘Let’s Read’, which is identical and correlates with the world of writing, materials, publishing and culture of knowledge, as the theme inclusively emphasises the cultivation of a cultured, responsible society that cares about knowledge and intellect.”
The acting director also said the festival can encourage writers to produce responsible writing with the belief and intention of enlightening and digesting thoughts, thus empowering a religious civilisation, nation and country.
“The empowerment of the publication management ecosystem through the renewal of content of agreement and strengthening of publication copyright in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Chamber has also received the approval of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam,” he said.
He added that the DBP strives to upgrade the eco-system of management and promotion of literary work through re-licensing the work to a third party either for the purpose of re-publication, translation or audio-visual format. This is to ensure that the management of literary work is carried out based on best practices of regional and international publishing, while ensuring that any commercialisation work is done correctly and in an orderly manner.
“Therefore, the drafting of several agreements for the advancement of literary work has been initiated to ensure that the DBP publication management eco-system is sustainable and responsive to change,” Suip said.
The event also saw the launch of 23 new books, including Islamic Education Module Edition 1 under the Publishing and Repurchasing Scheme in collaboration with Politeknik Brunei.
Colouring book Lakastah Mewarna features a collection of landmarks in the Sultanate and novel Running with the Seasons, a translation of Lari Bersama Musim by Muslim Burmat, were also launched.
The event saw the presentation of a copy of the new agreement to writers for their books, and the 2021 Proactive Business Partner award to the Graduate Library, in recognition of the outstanding DBP book sales performance.
The guest of honour also presented the Best Selling Book Prize 2021: Tarsilah Brunei: Wasilah Ketakhtaan Kesultanan Brunei (Tahun 1659 – 1828 Masihi) (Jilid III) by the late Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Umar, published by the Brunei History Centre under the Academic Category; Broken Dreams: An Anthology of Brunei Heartfelt Stories by Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, published by Qasrun Nafis Publishing House under the Literature category; Bintang The Cosmocat & The Star Twins by Dr Aammton Alias published by M Content Creations; and Dang Urai dan Sumbui-Sumbui by Rosmuliati binti Haji Yahya, published by the DBP.
Traditional children’s songs Bangkawat, Kikik Putus and O Kanak-Kanak by Kamisahnor binti Hashim, accompanied by eight musicians from the Culture and Arts Division of the MCYS were performed to enliven the occasion.
