Sales of local literary works have risen significantly since SG Culture Pass credits could be used to buy eligible titles in March this year. A Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA) survey found that sales of Singaporean literature (SingLit) books among members surveyed had increased by over 300%.
Amidst growing demand for local literature, Singapore Book Street, the country’s largest book fair dedicated to SingLit, opened for the first time on Monday (2 November). It brings together more than 1,200 titles from over 40 local publishers, with 80% eligible for purchase using SG Culture Pass credits.
Jointly organised by the National Arts Council and the Singapore Book Publishers Association, the inaugural Singapore Book Street is being held at the central atrium on Level 1 of VivoCity until Sunday (8 November). It features works in all four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. The organisers hope to introduce more people to local literature and encourage a habit of reading local works.
Figures released by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in September this year showed that, as of the end of August, about 410,000 people had redeemed more than $30.4 million in SG Culture Pass credits, with about $2.9 million spent on local literary works.
At Maha Yu Yi, for example, sales of eligible books have risen by about 30% to 50%, and more customers are asking which titles qualify. The bookshop’s manager, Sung Yuen Ling, said in an interview: “Quite a few people walk into the bookshop and ask us which books are locally published.”
However, Sung has also noticed that many people still do not know what the SG Culture Pass can be used for. After she explained the scheme to visitors at the book fair on Monday, some learnt that they could use their credits to buy books and began browsing the titles on sale.
Mall book fair brings local literature to a wider audience
In an interview, SBPA assistant secretary and TrendLit Publishing operations director Ang Jin Yong said the decision to hold the book fair in a shopping mall was intended to bring local literature to more people, including those who rarely encounter local works.
“People who visit shopping centres may not necessarily be interested in literature. But walking past, looking at and handling these books is a way to get to know SingLit.”
On Monday, portfolio manager Natalie Wu, 39, was at VivoCity for lunch with her eight-year-old daughter, Clara Ng, when they happened to pass the book fair. At her daughter’s suggestion, they stopped to browse.
Wu had not known that SG Culture Pass credits could be used to buy local literary works. After learning that many books at the fair were eligible, she said she was considering using the combined $200 in credits that she and her husband have to buy local children’s books for their three young children.
Keen reader Pearly Kuo, 10, spent about an hour at the book fair, eagerly browsing a range of children’s books. She told the reporter a little shyly: “I like to read all kinds of books.”
Kuo chose books worth more than $300 in total. Her father, a 54-year-old hawker, used $100 in SG Culture Pass credits to cover part of the cost.
Aruna Johnson, the National Arts Council’s director of literary arts development, said: “Singapore Book Street is a great opportunity for everyone to discover the breadth of SingLit, support our local publishers and find new stories to love.
“With many titles eligible for the SG Culture Pass, Singaporeans can use their credits to pick up a book that speaks to them and start or add to their very own SingLit collection.”
Besides book sales, the organisers have lined up more than 30 literary and interactive activities, including book launches, poetry readings and storytelling sessions for children, giving visitors opportunities to meet local writers and illustrators.
Visitors who spend at least $50 at the fair can receive a personalised poem or illustration created on the spot by a local poet or illustrator. Those who spend at least $100 can redeem a commemorative gift pack.
The book fair runs until Sunday and is open daily from 10am to 10pm.
