The inaugural Kuala Lumpur Literature and Art Fair (KLLAF), curated by the Museum of Picture Book Art (MoPBA), is more than just an event – it’s a cultural celebration now open to the public for free at the GMBB creative mall in KL until Sept 16. The fair, happening on GMBB’s 5th level, features 20 exhibitors, each playing a role in bringing Malaysia’s literary and artistic communities closer together. “Our literature and art tell our stories, but they are more than just a record, they’re also a mirror – and the more we look into that mirror, the more we discover.
Through the fair, we invite visitors to experience the magic of books, art, and food, and how it brings us together,” says Linda Tan, director of MoPBA. In 2022, it put together the Stories+Art=Picture Books Festival, the precursor to KLLAF, which attracted 9,000 visitors. “The festival was primarily children’s content and catered to young families.
So we wanted to improve on it with a broader and more inclusive event, resulting in KLLAF,” adds Tan. A visitor trying out an interactive exhibit at the KL Literature and Art Fair 2024. Photo: The Star/Ong Soon Hin Beyond celebrating local talent, KLLAF embraces a global perspective, showcasing the interconnectedness of cultural expressions worldwide.
Under the theme “Live! Love! Read!”, KLLAF offers a diverse range of literature and art for all ages, from contemporary Malaysian novels and cookbooks to indigenous folklore, graphic novels, and ar.