Festival encourages imagination and literacy among children

MIRI: The Sarawak Children’s Literature Festival has provided a dynamic platform for children to engage in creative activities that inspire imagination and foster a love for reading, said Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Development Datuk Rosey Yunus.

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Sunday, Rosey highlighted that the festival, held from September 28 to 29 at the Miri Pustaka Auditorium, featured various activities designed to enhance children’s creativity through storytelling, creative writing, and illustration.

These activities, she noted, played a pivotal role in expanding children’s imaginative horizons.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the parents and teachers who have always given encouragement and support to the children throughout the festival. You are the pillars of strength behind their success,” she said.

Rosey emphasised the crucial role parents play, not only in providing formal education but also in imparting life lessons on good values, ethics, and responsibility.

She stressed that organising such literature-based festivals helped to cultivate children’s interest in reading from a young age.

By introducing them to books, writers, and fun literacy activities, the festival contributed to raising awareness of the importance of reading and helped children form lifelong reading habits.

The two-day event featured 12 different spaces, each offering unique experiences aimed at nurturing various aspects of a child’s development.

Story Space allowed children to engage in storytelling sessions and discussions with international authors.

Performance Space gave children a platform to showcase their talents, building confidence and fostering creativity.

Market Space provided an opportunity for children to nurture entrepreneurial skills by showcasing their products.

Writer Space focused on creative writing activities, helping children develop their writing abilities and spark their imaginations.

Maker Space integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities, encouraging children to create and innovate.

EGame Space promoted interactive gaming, honing children’s creativity and cognitive skills.

Sensory Space catered to children with special needs, offering interactive, lifelong learning opportunities.

Linguistic Space introduced children to different languages and dialects, broadening their cultural knowledge.

Artistic Space provided a platform for artistic expression, encouraging children to showcase their creative skills.

Gastro Space combined culinary arts with cultural exploration, giving children hands-on experience in food preparation.

Sarawak Lestari Space introduced sustainable development concepts, encouraging children to think about their role as global citizens while Cultural Space allowed children to explore local traditions, music, art, and culture, fostering an appreciation for Sarawak’s rich heritage.

“These various spaces foster important skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and the confidence to explore new challenges,” Rosey said, adding that these attributes were essential for children’s holistic development.

The festival concluded with enthusiastic participation from children, parents, and educators, reinforcing the importance of early engagement in literature and the arts.\