Eyewitness Bali – BADUNG
BADUNG, May 25, 2026 – The Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Book Show has officially launched its largest-ever roadshow in Bali, occupying a massive 3,200-square-meter venue on the 3rd floor of Discovery Shopping Mall in Kuta, Badung.
The opening morning witnessed immense enthusiasm, with early-bird book hunters lining up since 7:00 AM WITA. By the time the doors officially opened, the queue had swelled to well over 100 eager shoppers.
Speaking to members of the press, Marthius Wandi Budianto, Director of BBW Indonesia, expressed his gratitude. “Honestly, this completely exceeded our expectations. We deeply appreciate the ‘Wolfies’ (our buyers) who have been queuing since early this morning. We are thrilled to bring BBW back to the Balinese community. Given the island’s close ties to English as a primary foreign language, we are returning with a longer duration, a wider selection of English books for all ages, a larger hall, and a much more accommodating environment. Visitors can browse our latest arrivals and purchase them directly for their children’s education and family needs.”
”Prices range from as low as IDR 5,000 to hundreds of thousands of rupiah, with no purchase limits. We hope to see a significant increase in sales compared to last year, as this year’s inventory is far more comprehensive,” Budianto added.
The crowd consisted of a diverse mix of avid bookworms, resellers, and parents sourcing educational materials for home-schooling. Budianto further highlighted the accessibility factor, stating, “The distribution of English books has become highly restricted across Indonesia recently. Some imported titles can fetch up to IDR 400,000 at traditional retail stores. However, at this BBW event, we offer the same quality and educational value for a fraction of the cost—ranging from just IDR 80,000 to IDR 100,000. This should make books much more accessible to the Balinese public, boosting literacy in English and other subjects.”
At the same press conference, Andrew Yap, Co-Founder of Big Bad Wolf International, shared his vision for the Indonesian market. “Driven by the massive demand in Indonesia, we have consistently run BBW events across the archipelago for a decade now. We recognize a significant market potential in Indonesia, particularly here in Bali. By collaborating with our key stakeholders and business partners, including Bank BCA and Discovery Mall, we aim to satisfy the public’s reading interest through highly affordable books. Furthermore, Bank BCA ensures a smooth shopping experience via quick card and online transactions.”
”Our expectations align closely with our business partners,” Yap continued. “We recognize that Bali’s economy relies heavily on the tourism and hospitality sectors, where English is the primary medium of communication.
Proficiency in correct and proper English is vital for local residents to communicate effectively with foreign visitors. BBW is here to bridge that educational gap for the Balinese community, while also offering tourists on vacation a chance to browse and shop from our extensive collection.”
The BBW event features thousands of titles across various genres and categories. Running from May 25 to May 31, 2026, the bazaar ensures a swift and seamless checkout experience for visitors, deploying three digitally integrated cashier counters to handle all transactions smoothly at Discovery Mall Kuta.
Reporter: Daniel Herry
