The two-day 8th Pertemuan Sasterawan Brunei (PSB) 2024 began with a launching ceremony officiated by Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman at the Sarmayuda Hall of the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) in Berakas yesterday.
Organised by the Brunei Darussalam Association of Writers (ASTERAWANI), and supported by DBP, the event began with welcoming remarks by the 8th PSB 2024 Co-Chairperson Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim bin Ampuan Haji Tengah.
“An event held every two years, the meeting is awaited by writers to bring them together, listen to the presentation of working papers, exchange thoughts, views, ambitions and hopes for the future in raising the quality of their literary works and to subsequently provide maximum contributions to the community, nation and country,” said Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim.
Sixteen papers will be presented including a keynote paper by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, who is known among the literary community as Adi Rumi along with other paper presenters made up of established and new faces.
The new faces, he added, “are expected to serve as replacements for veteran writers and are also expected to be able to continue their activities in the field of literature in the future.”
Organisers also invited members from the Sabah and Sarawak Writers Association, who are strategic partners of ASTERAWANI, to present their working papers.
A forum will also be held to discuss several sub-themes based on the meeting’s theme this year and Malam Mutiara Sastera Brunei, which will take place tonight.
This year’s meeting carrying the theme ‘The MIB National Philosophy in Literature: Contributions Towards Achieving Brunei Vision 2035’ was chosen in line with the goals of Brunei Vision 2035, which include a highly educated, skilled, and successful population; a high-quality standard of living; and a dynamic and resilient economy.
The first PSB was held in 2001 themed ‘Malay Literature and Bruneian Writers: Direction and Challenges’ where the gathering serves as a literary discourse platform for discussions among writers. – Lyna Mohamad
