Sarawak Literature Festival opens the way for Miri to become a literary city

MIRI, Sept 27: Sarawak Literature Festival 2026 is seen as opening up a wider space for Miri to build a literary ecosystem and move towards a literary city.

Senior lecturer of Sarawak Kuching Polytechnic, Jacquelyne Ekot said the festival's organizing gives an opportunity to authors and artists from different backgrounds to share works, studies and arts that reflect ethnic diversity in Sarawak.

"There's no denying that Miri can be one of the literary cities of the future. This year's festival brings together works from a wide range of fields and talents, including young and experienced writers.

"When experts and workers come together, coupled with the results of the works and discussions that are held, little as it opens up an opportunity for Miri to be recognized as a literary city", he said when meeting TVS at the Miri Indoor Stadium, here today.

Additionally, the festival is also important in highlighting works and documentation related to ethnicity that were previously underserved.

"I personally see platforms like this as an opportunity to introduce the heritage of ethnic minorities such as Kajaman to a wider audience, including through the publication of books I produced with Prof. Dr. Amee Joan. which is The Aggressive Language Dictionary", he added.

Meanwhile, Editor of SVARA Journal, Hafiz Hamzah, said the effort to make Miri a literary city requires more than just festival sponsorship or efforts to produce new writers.

Rather, he said, a more comprehensive ecosystem needs to be built involving publishers, readers and the general public so that literature is not seen as something that's only close to certain groups.

"For me, it is possible. It just takes a concerted effort to get there. It's not just about giving birth to writers, but more importantly creating a broader ecosystem.

"For example, publishers, readers and engagement with the general public. Literature is often viewed as something isolated or too elitist, while the general public also needs to be given a space to engage with literature", he said.

Hafiz also described the opening of Sarawak Literature Festival as a good effort, but suggested that the festival be continued as an annual event with continuously improved filling.

He said the festival network should also be expanded by involving authors from Sarawak, regional and international to create more interaction and experience sharing.

The Sarawak Literature Festival 2026 which has been taking place since September 23 at the Miri Closed Stadium, the Sarawak State Library Miri and the Miri Handicraft Centre will open today.

The festival's inaugural promotion brings together a variety of programmes related to literature, writing, publishing, culture and heritage, as well as being a meeting place between writers, industry activists and society. - TVS