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Source: Press Release DBP (translations MCYS)

Photos : Md Azinuddin - MCYS, Khairul Anuar - DBP

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Saturday, 29 Safar 1447 / 23 August 2025 – In a continued effort to foster a culture of knowledge and reading, as well as to cultivate appreciation for the arts and literary works, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) once again hosts the annual Brunei Book Festival. The 2025 edition runs for ten days, from 22 to 31 August 2025 (28 Safar to 7 Rabiulawal 1447), at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas.

The official opening ceremony, held this morning at the ICC's Main Conference Hall, was graced and officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, as the Guest of Honour.

Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, department heads, officers, and staff of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The ceremony featured the launch of seven new DBP publications.

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A highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2024 Bestselling Book Awards and the Special Bestselling Book Award, recognising outstanding works by local authors published by government, private, or independent publishers. The awards were assessed based on quality of writing and marketability, with honours presented in four categories: academic, general, literary, and children's books.

Academic Category: Adab-Adab Dalam Islam by the Religious Officers of the State Mufti's Office, published by the State Mufti's Office.

General Category: Menelusuri Arus Seni Silat Cakak Asli Brunei by Pengiran Haji Mohamad bin Pengiran Haji Ludin, published by DBP.

Literary Category: Real Ghost Stories of Borneo 7 by Dr. Aammton Alias, published by M Content Creations.

Children's Category: Orang Kabilangan Brunei, a collaborative work by participants of the 2nd Folklore Story Writing Workshop, published by DBP.

This year, the Special Bestselling Book Award (1 Star) was presented to Penghayatan Nilai-Nilai Islam Dalam Pasukan Polis Diraja Brunei by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr. Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, published by the State Mufti's Office, for achieving sales of over 3,000 copies.

These awards aim to encourage the growth of the local publishing industry, enhance the quality of writing and publishing, and inspire authors to actively promote and market their works, thereby strengthening the reading culture in Brunei Darussalam.

Earlier, welcoming remarks were delivered by Yang Mulia Awang Suip bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Acting Director of DBP and Chairman of the Brunei Book Festival 2025. The ceremony was enlivened by a performance titled Kembara Dunia Buku by Kumpulan PUTRA Seni.

Carrying the theme “Kembara Dunia Buku" (Journey Through the World of Books), the Brunei Book Festival 2025 is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., except on Fridays when it operates from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This year's festival features 38 exhibitors from within and outside the country, offering special discounts on books, alongside a variety of engaging activities for all ages.