A collection of twenty-one short travel stories and photographs, photographer Philippe Durant invites readers to discover the richness and diversity of Malaysia and its people. His pictures and short stories tell the history of the forgotten village of Papan, Georgetown’s clan jetties, the workers of the ancestral charcoal kilns in Kuala Sepetang, the “sea gypsies” of the Celebes, and many others.
Where Light Travels is an evocative collection that blends poetry, reflective prose, and visual imagery to explore the ways light, literal and metaphorical that shapes our perceptions of place, memory, and identity. Rooted in the landscapes, cultural textures, and personal rhythms of Malaysia, the book invites readers to wander through moments of stillness and revelation where light becomes both subject and symbol.
Through lyrical storytelling and rich descriptive passages, readers are guided across urban landscapes and quiet corners of the world, noticing the subtle interplay between light and life: dawn breaking over a harbour, lantern light dancing on walls, sunlit reflections on water, and the intangible glow of human connection. Each piece captures light as a conduit of meaning and linking inner thought with external reality, illuminating hidden stories and everyday wonders.
Created with sensitivity to imagery and emotional depth, the book resonates with those who love contemplative literature and artistic expression. Whether appreciated for its poetic voice, its visual sensibility, or its philosophical undertones, Where Light Travels offers a luminous journey that celebrates perception, presence, and the enduring beauty of seeing clearly.
Bulan Press’s mission is to inspire appreciation and preserve cultural legacies through thoughtful writing and imagery that shines through this title, making it a meaningful contribution to contemporary Malaysian arts and letters.
About The Photographer
Philippe Durant is a Belgian photographer based in Malaysia since 2013. Over the years, his photographs have become a reflection of the rhythm of life around him. During his frequent wanderings, he captures everyday moments from cultural events, nature, landscapes, religious celebrations, and the many facets of his adopted country. Like all photographers, he paints with light.
