Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei Book Fair (BBF) 2008 to be held in February next year is set to become the biggest-ever book exhibition in the Sultanate with the largest number of exhibitors and plenty of side activities for members of the public to participate.
The exhibition from Feb 27 until March 5 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas will feature 110 booths though there is a plan to convert the adjoining concourse into an exhibition area mainly to cater for related government agencies, IT and computer companies.
The extension is necessary to accommodate the increasing number of exhibitors.
During the last BBF 2007, a section of last year‘s venue, the exterior of Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex, Berakas was converted into an exhibition area.
Dayang Hajah Noraizadah, the Co-Secretary (Activities) of BBF 2008 said a forum entitled "Enhancing Better Business towards Profitability Amongst Asean Countries through E-Marketing" will be held on Feb 27.
Coordinated by the Asean Book Publishers Association (ABPA), the forum panelists will comprise executive committee ofABPA as well as invited guests from selected book publishers in the country.
She said some of the daily activities to be held at the book fair will include general quiz, picture puzzle, serial quiz, treasure hunt, and mind/talent test.
On Feb 28, the Islamic Poetry Recital Contest and the preliminaries of Story-Telling Competition will be held.
"Drawing and colouring competitions will be organised for children aged 7 and 9 in the morning of Feb 29 while the afternoon session will be for those aged between 10 and 12," she said.
She added that a workshop on Children‘s Books Illustration will be held on March 1.
Non-Muslim visitors will be able to participate in the jawi-writing and reading competitions on March 2.
In the evening, local poets will recite independence poems at the venue.
"Talks on the evils of drugs as well as on the scourge of corruption will take place on March 3 to be attended by students of secondary schools.
"A performance by Kelab Muda Mudi of DBP can be witnessed in the evening of March 3 at the venue," she said.
Local literature activists as well as writers, poets and staff of DBP will recite poems on March 5.
Members of the public who are interested in participating in the mentioned contests can register on contest days.
Those who wish to participate in the Children‘s Books Illustration Workshop may need to register early by contacting DBP.
Source : www.brudirect.com (27 Desember 2007)