Bandar Seri Begawan – Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Brunei Darussalam, will host Baca Bahana next week on March 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM (Brunei time) via Zoom, in celebration of World Poetry Day. This literary event continues DBP’s dedication to promoting poetry and cultural exchange, bringing together voices from around the world.
Among the distinguished poets participating this year is renowned Egyptian poet and writer Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, who will present a Ramadan-themed poem via live stream. This marks his second participation in Brunei’s cultural scene, following his involvement in the Baca Bahana International Poetry event on April 18, 2022, organized by the Language and Literature Bureau in collaboration with Kumpulan Putra Seni & Angkatan Sasterawan dan Sasterawani (ASTERAWANI). This time, his performance will take place in the early hours of the morning, before dawn in Cairo time, underscoring his deep commitment to literary engagement across time zones.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, established in 1960, serves as the national authority on the Malay language and is responsible for the operation of public libraries across Brunei. Initially founded as the Language Board (Lembaga Bahasa), DBP was later integrated into the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports in 1984. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the Malay language, publishing the official Brunei Malay dictionary, Kamus Bahasa Melayu Brunei, and several literary and scholarly journals.
In addition to its literary endeavors, Brunei is home to a rich cultural heritage, exemplified by the iconic 30-meter muralcommissioned by Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien in 1963. This masterpiece, completed in 1965, features 100 figures engaged in traditional Bruneian activities such as songket weaving, fishing, and rice planting. Designed by veteran artist Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Asmalee bin Pengiran Ahmad, the mural remains a significant cultural landmark in Bandar Seri Begawan.
DBP’s Baca Bahana event reaffirms Brunei’s commitment to literary excellence and cultural diplomacy, connecting global poets in a shared celebration of the written word. Poetry enthusiasts and literary scholars worldwide are invited to join this event and experience the vibrant poetic traditions of Brunei and beyond.
