Ipoh has produced many important talents of Malaysia. A new indie book fest curated by a collective of poets, restored the arts community hope for Perak again.
Several months after featuring Lumut Creative Festival on my reportage, Perak-on-the-sea, we heard about a new independent book festival to take place in Ipoh in the beginning of May. The intimate yet vibrant gatherings gave me an insight to exciting world of Malaysian booksellers and authors. The community is close-knit, organised and highly motivated, just like the book people that we know in the UK.
I brought a small Fujifilm X100 with me to document the event. To be honest I much prefer my hefty Nikon D800, but I was also minding our book booth, so it wasn’t practical to carry a large equipment. The compact Fujifilm isn’t my favourite camera although it’s a decent point-and-shoot for documentary photography. So, I let go of control and hoped for the best. My focus was mostly on portraiture and the sartorial style of the visitors.
Ipoh is only an hour drive from our maritime district, Seri Manjung. The event, Ipoh Alternative Book Fest 2025, was organised by poetry collectives, Project Rabak and Projek Rebel. Salina and I thought this was a great opportunity to showcase our publications, The Constant Companion Tales series, while contributing positively to Perak’s creative economy.
Our imprint, Story Of Books, participated alongside side exciting independent publishers and booksellers from Perak, Selangor and Penang. The fest took place at the Moody Kafe, a boutique coffee house located at the heart of Ipoh old town.
We felt that this was a chance for Perak to gain the trust of the arts community
The surrounding heritage architecture and curated cultural programmes lent to the event’s cool and high-brow vibe. Yet somehow it was also welcoming and open to all, regardless of age and backgrounds. That’s the disarming charm of Ipoh.
Ipoh Alternative Book Fest 2025 was covered extensively on Story Of Books. We felt that this was a chance for Perak to gain the trust of the arts community after the technical issue at Lumut Creative Festival. We were pleased to see that the festival punched above its weight and supported by the local community.
I find that art created in the face of adversity often resonates most deeply, as existing with joy can itself be a powerful act of resistance
The creative workforce of Perak are an important asset, not only to the state but the rest of the country. Many have contributed in shaping the modern Malaysia’s cultural narrative, while some even made their names at the global stage.
I find that art created in the face of adversity often resonates most deeply, as existing with joy can itself be a powerful act of resistance. However, I also believe that continuously working against prevailing challenges can drain an artist’s energy and diminish their drive to create.
They were so different from me, and yet we were the same.
From our booth, I listened to the authors’ talks, poetry recitals and book readings. They were so different from me, and yet we were the same. I watched the booksellers diligently ran their booths, pouring 200% effort into everything.
Ipoh Alternative Book Fest could be one of the main cultural pilgrimages for Malaysia with the right support from the ecosystem.
Ipoh Alternative Book Fest report on storyofbooks.co.uk
How to get to Ipoh Old Town: By public transport, take the train KTMB Ipoh Station or the bus to Amanjaya Bus Terminal; then a 10-minute Grab ride to town.
Be prepared: Bring water and wear a hat to protect yourself from the daytime heat. Ipoh has a great food scene and stylish shops, so get your QR code ready for payment.
If you’re photographing: Much like Penang, Ipoh Old Town is lined with beautiful colonial architecture and charming shop signages. A compact or light camera is perfect for street photography and walking during daytime and in the evenings.
Zarina Holmes 