Selangor Journal
(from left to right) Selangor Public Library Corporation director Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad looks on as Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari presents a souvenir to an international representative for the Selangor International Fellowship Programme, after officiating the 2022 Selangor International Book Fair at the MBSA Convention Centre in Shah Alam, on December 2, 2022. — Picture by Foto HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Selangor book festival the birthplace of writers, international publishers — MB

By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar

SHAH ALAM, Dec 3 — The 2022 Selangor International Book Fair (SIBF) is the ideal platform to highlight local publications on the international level, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.

He said the state government is committed to helping local book publishers and writers market their published works abroad.

“For example, we are all aware of the huge impact of the Harry Potter series worldwide, but not many know the difficult beginnings that author J.K. Rowling had to endure before her works became popular.

“Perhaps it is too early or ambitious to say SIBF is aiming to produce more authors whose works are translated into several different languages ​​around the world.

“But as Menteri Besar, it is not excessive to say I hope one day Selangor will have a successful author in the vein of J.K. Rowling,” said Amirudin Shari.

In his address at the inaugural international-level book fair, he said the state government is also committed to promoting the publishing of children’s books, similar to the organisation of the Bologna International Children’s Book Festival in Italy.

“We are committed to realising the aspiration of becoming the Bologna of Southeast Asia where, under the Selangor International Children’s Content brand, the Selangor International Fellow Programme and the Yusof Gajah Illustrator Award 2023 will be introduced for the first time.

“Through it, influential figures from the United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Egypt, Türkiye, South Korea and Indonesia will share their knowledge and expertise in global publishing, thus opening up opportunities for collaboration with local and international illustrators,” Amirudin said.

He added that doing so will provide sufficient space to send their best work and compete for awards on the international level.

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