The annual feast for Hong Kong readers, the HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair holds its 34th edition this year and delves into links between books, films and television.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) the fair runs from 17 to 23 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, concurrently with the HKTDC Sports and Leisure Expo and HKTDC World of Snacks.
With a single ticket, visitors can immerse themselves in the worlds of literature, sports and leisure activities and global snacks, with some 760 exhibitors across the three fairs. This year’s Book Fair features more than 600 cultural events onsite and off-site, including acclaimed writers’ seminars and book launches to boost reading culture in Hong Kong.
Previewing the fair, Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The Hong Kong Book Fair Cultural Events Advisory Panel voted Film and Television Literature as the theme of the year. With the tagline Reading the World: Storytelling from Page to Screen, we aim to leverage this popular theme to encourage more locals and tourists to discover the joys of reading and appreciate the charm of Hong Kong's literary, film and television works, help shaping Hong Kong into an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.”
The Book Fair continues to receive funding from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency to support featured activities, including the Art Gallery, World of Art & Culture, the International Publishing Forum and the debut of IP Roundtable.
The Art Gallery will exhibit a wide range of works from the featured writers of the year, including Erica Li, Raymond To, Joyce Chan, Norris Wong, Chiang Hiu Mei, and Law Kar, highlighting their publications, manuscripts, awards and movie props. The Art Gallery also includes the Featured Directors and Classic Literary Adaptations exhibition areas.
To guide readers in exploring the world through Hong Kong, the Book Fair has set up the World of Art & Culture, promoting cultural exchange through displaying exhibits from across the globe. In addition to creations from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the zone will feature film and television literature from Argentina, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Spain and Switzerland, Vietnam and more.
Echoing this year’s fair theme, the World of Art & Culture features an AI-powered interactive installation. Visitors can select keywords to recompose iconic scenes from global films and TV shows, including In the Mood for Love, Infernal Affairs, Kung Fu Hustle, Blade Runner and Spirited Away. Additionally, an interactive map will display filming locations and behind-the-scenes details.
This year, the Book Fair will feature a Mainland China Publishers Zone with Beijing as the thematic city, demonstrating the cultural allure of the nation’s capital. The Book Fair will also host an IP Roundtable for the first time on the second day (18 July), inviting representatives from the international publishing and copyright industries to discuss the challenges and opportunities that AI is bringing to IP and copyright commercialisation.
The Eight Seminar Series features authors invited to share and exchange ideas on topics including Theme of the Year, Renowned Writers, English and International Reading, World of Knowledge, Children and Youth Reading, Hong Kong Cultural and Historical, Lifestyle and Personal Development and Spiritual Growth.
The concurrent Sports and Leisure Expo will highlight a mosaic wall set up by the Hong Kong Sports Institute where visitors can become part of the photo wall to show their support for Hong Kong athletes preparing for the Paris Olympics. There will also be sharing sessions by renowned athletes, featuring the captain of the Hong Kong Men’s Dodgeball Team, Luen Tsz-yu; Hong Kong Men’s Rugby Sevens representative Yiu Kam-shing and former Hong Kong Karatedo and Athletics representative Tong Cheuk-pan, among others. The athletes will share their experiences and journeys as sportsmen, inspiring visitors with their stories of dedication and achievement.
The Sports and Leisure Expo will also present a diverse array of health-promoting and entertaining sports and leisure products and experiences, enabling visitors of all ages to enjoy the fun of sports. Equipment on display includes a tai-chi robot that follows a master’s moves.
This year’s World of Snacks brings together more than 1,200 different snacks, divided into six zones, Travel Delights, Chocolate and Sweet Factory, Oldie Snacks, Yummy & Healthy, Party Time and Snack Bar, presenting a variety of classic flavours, healthy options and taste sensations from around the world.
In addition to the Book Fair, the HKTDC has actively collaborated with various partners, including the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, publishers and educational, cultural and arts institutions, to organise a series of Cultural July activities.
From 24 June to 31 July, Cultural July will feature a diverse range of events, including author sharing sessions, storytelling theatre, film-related activities, exhibitions, handicraft workshops and cultural sharing sessions, all aimed at fostering a city-wide love of reading.
