Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 36th Hong Kong Book Fair (HKBF) will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 15-21 July. The three events will run concurrently with the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and the World of Snacks, offering over 770 booths by exhibitors from nearly 30 countries and regions, which will become a major summer destination for culture, leisure and entertainment.
The theme for this year’s Book Fair is Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys, leading visitors to discover and enjoy cultural heritage and travel and reading together through the campaign. The fair will offer over 600 cultural events, many of which will be taking place throughout Hong Kong.
The theme is intended to spark readers’ interest in traditional culture and its place in today’s society, said Jenny Koo, the Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC. The visitors can enjoy cultural and eco-tourism in books and have expanded their perspective, she added.
To mark the HKTDC’s 60th anniversary, the Chairman of the HKTDC, Professor Frederick Ma, the Hong Kong artist Jane Lee (Messy Desk) and more than 100 students will work together to produce an artwork celebrating Hong Kong’s transformation. The book “History of the HKTDC”, authored by former Executive Director and Chairman Jack So, is also available for visitors to learn about the history of the HKTDC and the founding of the Tourism Commission.
This year, the Book Fair, hosted by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, will once again be divided into the “World of Art & Culture”, “International Publishing Forum” and the IP Roundtable.
The “World in Words, A Voyage of the Heart” exhibition will be the highlight of the art and culture zone. It is divided into four themes: Hong Kong stories and world literature presented from “Local Eye” and “Global Eye.” They can read over 200 books and cultural objects from all over the world, enjoy six interactive installations and get personalised book and travel tips.
Eight seminar series will be held at the fair, in addition to the Theme of the Year, which features sessions on Renowned Writers, English and International Books, World of Knowledge, Children’s Books and Young Adults’ Books, Hong Kong Culture and History, Lifestyle and Personal Development.
The Renowned Writers Seminar Series, co-organised with Ming Pao and Yazhou Zhoukan, will have the opportunity to see celebrated Chinese language writers such as Liu Zhenyun, Su Tong, Bi Feiyu, Liu Jiakun and Louis Yu.
The English and International Books Seminar Series features the British poet and novelist Luke Kennard, and Joe Ngai, Greater China Chairman of McKinsey & Company, will talk about the global economy and China’s business prospects.
This year, a new ASEAN Literary Festival is in its debut, which is organised along with the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, to enhance cultural exchange. Featured authors include Indonesia’s Eka Kurniawan and Singapore-based Clarissa Goenawan.
Other speakers are Ronnie Chan, Jasper Tsang, Dr Sylvia Chan, Freddie Tse and actress Bowie Cheung. Experts from Hong Kong universities and the Hong Kong Space Museum will also share their insights into China’s space missions.
The International Publishing Forum and IP Roundtable, which deal with publishing trends and business opportunities, are open to industry professionals.
The Cultural and Creative Space, which is popular, continues with the Fujian Pavilion, Hangzhou Pavilion and Tsi Ku Chai, which highlight intangible cultural heritage, Creative products and IP merchandise. Some 20,000 publications will be on display at the event, focusing on Yunnan, among others, on the Mainland. There will also be an interactive exhibition at the Hong Kong Jockey Club to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
There will be reading promoted in the community through several organisations. The “Joyful Reading Lucky Rewards” campaign will be launched by Sino Group, and the fair will be sponsored for underprivileged families. The Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association, Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, and Sun Hung Kai Properties will take the lead on initiatives that will assist students and grassroots families.
The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo will feature fitness challenges, sports products and education sessions, featuring the “Fit & Fearless Challenge”, pickleball innovations and even My Mini Zoo, Hong Kong’s first interactive, indoor animal experience.
At the same time, World of Snacks will feature more than 1,300 snacks originating from nearly 30 countries and regions, including local favourites, high protein snacks, freeze-dried snacks and sustainable innovations in the snack space.
Tickets will be sold individually, but admission to all three events will be included in a single ticket. The ticket price for adults is still at HK$30, where morning, re-entry and tourist tickets are offered at a reduced price. In the HKTDC’s 60th anniversary celebration, 60 Book Fair Super Passes will be distributed via the HKTDC’s Facebook anniversary campaign.
