Sarawak Literature Festival promotes Miri as a potential literary city

The Sarawak Literature Festival (SLF) 2026 is fostering cultural engagement and discussions regarding Miri’s potential development into a literary city. During a storytelling session at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak in Miri, children explored the state’s multicultural heritage through narratives from the Iban, Punan, Bidayuh, and Chinese communities.

Experts suggest the festival provides a vital platform for writers and creators to showcase works reflecting Sarawak’s ethnic diversity, including previously underrepresented minority heritages like the Kejaman. While the event brings together diverse talents, commentators note that establishing Miri as a literary city will require building a comprehensive ecosystem involving publishers, readers, and the general public.