Batik can be appreciated as a form of written narrative and, in a way, they are like “wearable books”.

In this session, Batik expert Hafiz Rashid will either recommend a batik or a book in response to what the participant brings to the batik librarian’s counter at Wardah Books, specially set up for Indie Bookshop Day 2026, and in conjunction with Batik Day on 2 October.

If a participant brings a batik, the batik librarian will help to “read” their batik - sharing the stories within its motifs – and then give book recommendations based on these stories.

And if a participant brings a book, the batik librarian will respond to the book and pair it with a batik textile, selecting the motifs (and sharing their stories) which the librarian feels, would best complement the book that the participant has brought to the counter.

In this way, we hope to make participants see both literary arts culture, intellectual culture, as well as wearable culture in a more integrated, holistic way, while at the same time connecting to Kampong Gelam's layered history in fashion as well as in print.

Hafiz Rashid is an experienced museum docent and storyteller with a deep passion for the history, culture, folklore, and languages of the Nusantara (Malay Archipelago), with a special focus in textiles. Drawing from his background as a library officer with the National Library Board (NLB), he explores the connections between books, textiles, and storytelling traditions across the Nusantara.

Free entry.