Where Legends and Picture Books Come Alive

Amirul Zain | 31 July 2025

You’ll find Hikayat Fandom Folklore World store on Level 1 at the GMBB Mall on Jalan Robertson, Kuala Lumpur.

IN the heart of the GMBB, a creative community hub in Downtown Kuala Lumpur, two unique book spaces invite visitors to pause, linger and rediscover the joy of local storytelling. One reimagines ancient Nusantara folklore for today’s readers. The other celebrates the quiet magic of Malaysian picture books.

Hikayat Fandom: The Warriors Of Nusantara Printed On Page

At Hikayat Fandom, folklore isn’t simply archived. It’s brought to life. Co-founded by writer and cultural advocate Ninot Aziz and COO Rudy Daud, this local publishing house revives Malaysian and regional legends through books written and illustrated by homegrown talent. What began as bedtime tales for Ninot’s daughters evolved into a full-fledged storytelling movement.

Writer and cultural advocate Ninot Aziz and COO Rudy Daud amidst their life's work.

“I started telling these stories because I wanted my daughters to know we have tales just as magical as the ones from the West. They are ours,” says Ninot. That mission now guides their publishing work, releasing up to 10 titles annually and collaborating with educators, artists and performers to keep traditional tales alive.

Their motto, “Hikayat, Heritage, History”, is felt throughout the immersive store. Inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence, the space surrounds visitors with the artefacts and imagery of local myth. “You don’t just read a story, you walk into it,” says Ninot. Even the name reflects their ethos. “‘Hikayat’ gives it tradition, but “Fandom” gives it excitement. The kind of joy people reserve for Marvel or manga. Why can’t we bring that same joy to our own stories?”

Community is central to their work. Every last Saturday of the month, Storyteller Saturday Sessions invite families to experience myths brought to life by local performers. In August, Pak Pen will share the tale of Dewa Muda, a young prince who rode the winds using a huge kite in search of a princess. “It’s our way of nurturing the next generation of storytellers,” says Ninot. “These tales aren’t just history. They’re still alive, and still ours.”

In July for Storyteller Saturday Sessions, Cikgu Zuhairah brought to life the enchanting tale of Awang Geliga Embun, a classic from Penglipur Lara: Cerita Rakyat Asia Tenggara.

Then in September, Hikayat Fandom will host the Hikayat Annual Showcase, a weekend-long celebration of art, books and culture. Visitors can expect Wayang Kulit performances, book launches, exhibitions, and talks. “It’s how we bring the hikayat back into everyday life. Not just something to preserve, but something to celebrate, to play with, to pass on.”

As Ninot puts it: “The hikayat belongs to all of us. To love, to share, to cherish.”

The Duke Museum of Picture Book Art.. a hop, step and a jump away from Hikayat Fandom.

The Duke Museum Of Picture Book Art: Drawing Malaysia, One Page At A Time

Just a short walk away, the Duke Museum of Picture Book Art offers another kind of cultural immersion. The Duke Museum is a lovingly curated space where Malaysian picture books are the main event. It was founded by Linda Tan Lingard, whose journey began at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, where she noticed the glaring absence of Malaysian titles.

“When compared, foreign books are beautiful, yes, but they don’t have a Malaysian flavour,” says Linda. That realisation led her to launch Oyez!Books, an independent publishing house that continues today. After the pandemic, GMBB invited her to open a bookstore. “They wanted Oyez!Books, but we wanted something bigger. A place that celebrates all Malaysian picture books. That’s why we chose the word ‘museum’.”

Duke combines bookstore, gallery and archive. The collection includes titles by Malaysian authors and illustrators, with a strong focus on Asean stories. The art ranges from pencil sketches and digital illustrations to full batik pieces. “We want to show the richness of our styles,” Linda says.

The museum also houses a growing archive of vintage children’s books dating back to the 1930s, often donated or bought by the museum. Many are preserved and then republished, offering a new generation the chance to enjoy stories once thought lost.

As a small operation, Duke is also a vital platform for independent artists. “It’s easier for them to come to us because we’re small,” Linda explains. “Big retailers tend to work with big publishers, but we can support individual creators.” Artists receive a share of every sale, making the museum a cultural and economic support system.

Peter Duke and Linda Tan Lingard at the Picture Book Art Museum, a place that celebrates all Malaysian picture books.

Duke’s Chairman, Peter Duke, who oversees the museum’s strategic vision, believes the value of books is making a quiet return. “I used to read to my children. Now I read to my grandchildren,” he says. “I see books in cafés again. I think we’re slowly rediscovering their worth, especially as people seek breaks from electronics.”

Linda agrees. “Reading a book to a child is a bonding experience no screen can replace,” she says. “And there’s a difference between having a digital copy of art, versus holding the real thing in your hands."

From Aug 1 to 17, Duke will present “A Legacy of Malaysian Stories: A Journey Through Children’s Literature”, a festival of exhibitions, storytelling sessions, book launches and workshops. It’s a celebration of everything Duke stands for: that children’s literature is not just for kids, but for anyone who believes stories shape who we are.

Vintage and pre-loved books are available too.

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