The logo for Kuala Lumpur World Book Capital 2020 (KLWBC2020) was unveiled at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.
The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair at the same venue.
A logo design competition was launched by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) after the city was named as World Book Capital for 2020 by Unesco on Sept 19 last year.
A total of 208 participants from all over the country took part in the contest which was held from Feb 25 to March 20.
Penang-based graphic designer Sin Boon Seang’s logo was selected as the official logo for the KLWBC2020 campaign.
Presenting Sin the prize money of RM3,000 was Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad.
“As the secretariat of the KLWBC2020, DBKL will actively host programmes and activities between April 23, 2020 and April 22, 2021,” Khalid said after the official launch of the logo. He said the main objective of the campaign was to revive the reading culture in our society.
Khalid added that the internet and gadgets have led to a decline in the book publishing industry in recent years, and that efforts in promoting the book industry and encouraging reading habits will continue even after Kuala Lumpur’s tenure as World Book Capital.
“This is because we want to make a meaningful and permanent impact on our citizens,” he said.
Ninety programmes and activities have been lined up by DBKL, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Malaysia National Library and National Book Council of Malaysia for this year.
Its slogan “KL BACA: Caring through Reading” aims to encapsulate a city that sustains harmony within diversity amidst multicultural backgrounds and ethnicities while protecting the environment for future generations.
Kuala Lumpur is the 20th city to bear the honour as World Book Capital by Unesco. Also present at the launch were DBKL executive director (socio-economic development) Datuk Ibrahim Yusoff, DBP director-general Datuk Abang Salehuddin Abang Shokeran and National Book Council of Malaysia director Abdul Wahab Ibrahim.
Source: www.thestar.com.my