KUALA LUMPUR: After being held online for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kuala Lumpur International Book Festival 2022 (PBAKL 2022), which began on Friday, is expected to draw between 700,000 and one million visitors.

       PBAKL 2022 organising committee chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron said this projection was based on the arrival of over 50,000 visitors per day at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, the venue for the book festival.

       “At first we were worried that the public would still be fearful after the pandemic. But they were also missing books, so the response this time could be extraordinary,” he told Bernama.

       Mohd Khair said various efforts were made to reach the target, including promoting PBAKL 2022 on social media and putting up banners and advertisement boards around the Klang Valley.

       “This festival also offers a difference in programme content and held in hybrid form for the first time, combining the physical from June 3 to 12 and online from June 1 to 15 to enable everyone to take part.“Several activities are also being held daily such as the book exhibition and talk shows, besides Laman Santai Seni involving poets and singers,” he added.

       A visitor, M. Shavinashiny, 16, who was at the festival for the first time, said she was excited to meet some of the writers.

       “I’ve come here to look for reference books and novels. I am delighted to meet many people, including writers and novelists,” she said.

       Universiti Teknologi Mara student Abd Raziq Ghazali, 22, said attending the festival in its physical form brought back fond memories of past festivals which were fun, before Covid-19 hit the country.

       “The last time I was at PBAKL was in 2019 and I am happy to be here after two years,” he added.