TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The One Million Books event held at Taman Krida Budaya, Malang, East Java, from December 28, 2016, to January 4, 2017, features thousands of book titles. As many as 200 publishers showcase their books and offer discounts. In addition, a number of writers will speak at the event to share their experiences.
The book fair is held to raise awareness of reading cultures, particularly among children.
"Kids today are more familiar with internet and television. They barely read books," the event's organizer chief executive Hinu OS said during the opening of the book fair on Thursday, December 29, 2016.
According to Hinu, the book fair is the answer to a concern over a declining interest in reading books. A number of reading communities continue to initiate endeavors in urban, densely populated and rural areas.
"The book fair is aimed at establishing Malang as the City of Books," Hinu added.
The book fair also serves as a forum for book communities, activists, librarian, and publishers to meet and communicate.
Malang houses a number of bookstores, as well as independent publishers. A number of people have also published and distributed their books independently.
EKO WIDIANTO
