Date: 26 October 2010
Time: 6.00 pm
Location: Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC)
- In conjunction with the planned programme The Week of the Italian Language in the World from 26-29th October 2010, the Malaysian National Institute of Translation (ITNM) in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy will be staging the Book Launching Ceremony of Sandokan.
- The book launch will take place on 26th October 2010, at 6.00 pm, at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) in Jalan Ampang and will be attended by Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism Malaysia. It will represent the commencement of a series of events to be held over the four days of the programme.
- Sandokan is one of the latest novels published by ITNM from the translation collection of 100 Titles of Malaysian Literature Works. Moreover, it represents the second Italian work of literature translated into Malay following the word-renowned book, The Adventures of Pinocchio. The novel was translated from the original edition published in 1986 entitled I pirate della Malesia by the distinguished Italian author, Emilio Salgari.
- Emilio Salgari (1862-1911) is a writer whose name has been celebrated in Europe from the end of the 19th century till today. He was highly imaginative and prolific, as well as noted for various works in the genre of adventure novels in Italy. For more than a century, his books have continued to be the reading matter of the young generation who enjoy stories set against a background of foreign adventure. Amazingly, many Italians came to know about Malaysia for the first time through appreciation of his writings. Even more unique is that through the force of his extraordinary imagination and creativity, and yet without ever setting foot in Malaysia, he was capable of producing and reconstructing the atmosphere in this country in a remarkably delightful and detailed manner.
- The book Sandokan: The Pirates of Malaysia depicts the struggles of Sandokan and Yanez, who come to stand for justice and defiance of the enemy. It begins with the tale of the unfortunate lot of Tremal Naik, which is still unresolved. This seasoned hunter is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, after being driven out of India and receiving a life-sentence in an isolated colony. Kammamuri, who is convinced of his master’s innocence, plans to free the hunter at the first possible chance. After the faithful Kammamuri is captured by Harimau Momprachem, he requests Momprachen’s aid to free his master. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary for Sandokan and Yanez to rouse their men to oppose the forces of James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak, who is greatly feared.
- The struggles of Sandokan brought about a phenomenon that produced a particular effect on Italian readers, as well as other European reader in general, especially among the younger generation. Sandokan was considered a charismatic leader in the struggle to free Borneo. Despite being written by Emilio Salgari a considerably long time ago, the story of Sandokan still generates interest up until today. Moreover, it does not solely represent a phenomenon in literature and culture, but has been extended beyond these borders to drama series, films, comics and animation films, including online and DVD.
- The retail price of the book is RM30 (RM35 in Sabah and Sarawak) and is on sale at all branches of major bookshops throughout the country.
