By Nurdiyanah R. –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 30 OCT – The Festival of Literature (FESTERA) 2024, which aims to increase the public’s interest in digital literature, was inaugurated this morning at the Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).
Present as the guest of honor to inaugurate the ceremony was the Dean of FASS, UBD, Dr Kathrina binti Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Daud who also witnessed the exhibition run by male and female students following the AS-2301 Literature and Education module at the end of the morning session.
The 11th FESTERA is part of the AS-2206 Literary Management and Marketing module offered under the Malay Literature Program, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), UBD.
This year, it features a theme Digital Literature: Inspiration at Your Fingertips which plays an important role in digital technology to inspire and advance the field of literature.
Chairman of the FESTERA 2024 Council, Awang Muhammad Firdaus bin Haji Sani while delivering his welcome speech explained that the theme of the event better reflects the current reality that literature and digital technology complement each other.
At our fingertips now, there are various forms of literary works that we can access, create and share. The digital era has opened up a wide space for us to innovate and produce works that can not only convey a message, but also inspire others.
“This festival is planned not only as a platform to celebrate literary works, but also to give everyone the opportunity to share their views and ideas,” he added.
Awang Muhammad Firdaus also emphasized that in this increasingly advanced world, we must wisely utilize technology as a tool to spread and dignify literature, so that our voices are not only heard in the lecture room, but also on the world stage.
“We also need to remember that literature is a medium to unite us all, regardless of background. “Hopefully this time’s promotion will be able to provide some ideas and inspire enthusiasm to produce works that are not only creative but also have a positive impact on the community,” he said.
The opening ceremony was also enlivened with a performance by members of the Cultural Arts Club Rampun (RAKIS) with two skits entitled Jangan Sentuh and also Chapter 1 Hikayat Awang Kamaruddin.
The exhibition at the ceremony was also attended by male and female students from the Malay Literature Program and the RAKIS Club; and also the Language and Literature Council (DBP) and the Southeast Asian Literary Council (Mastera) of Brunei Darussalam.
Meanwhile, in the evening session, the ceremony was also graced with a performance The Tale of the Four Sloths and Art Talk Panel Discussion from Dayang Syazni binti Bakar from 247 Studio and Sosojan A Khan from Sri Utama Enterprise Theater Academy (APSUE).
While the FESTERA Council on the second day is expected to continue with a workshop session delivered by Dr Ena binti Wasli with a topic titled Use of Suno AI and CHATGPT in Malay Literature which is intended to both increase the participants’ knowledge about the use of AI technology in approaching Malay literature.
Also present to witness the ceremony were lecturers, students from various institutions of higher education and schools across the country as well as the general public.
As for the promotion of the FESTERA Council, among other things, it emphasizes the role of digital technology in expanding access to literature and giving students the opportunity to interact with the public as well as government and non-government agencies in terms of management.
In addition, it is also intended to highlight the credibility of male and female students in planning and managing projects effectively and systematically.