A RECORD-BREAKING 570 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions are expected to attend the 25th annual Hong Kong Book Fair, which will be held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from July 16 to 22.

    Organized by Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the fair started its first promotional session in Shenzhen last Thursday. It will then tour in cities such as Guangzhou, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur.

    Over the past decades, the fair, which is held in July every year, has transformed from a small book fair for cultural exchange to the No. 1 Chinese language book event in the world and the grandest summer cultural event in Asia. Last year, a record of 980,000 visitors attended the event, according to the organizer of the fair.

    Themed “Reading the world — the more, the merrier,” more than 300 cultural events will also be held during the fair to promote reading activities and cultural exchanges.

    It will also set up a Japanese Hall for the first time. Popular mangas such as “City Hunter” and “Initial D” will be presented at the fair, while Sanrio designer Yamaguchi Yuko will also take part in the fair to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the world renowned Hello Kitty.

    Author of the Year

    — Tung Kai-cheong

    Well-known young Hong Kong writer, Tung Kai-cheong, is selected as this year’s Author of the Year by the book fair.

    Born in 1967, Tung started writing in 1992 and won many awards for his novels and prose. As a born-and-raised Hong Kong writer, he was praised for exploring global value within local context.

    Tung will hold three reading events at the fair. Well-known Hong Kong writer Wong Pik-wan and Kyoko Nakajima will be invited to share their writing experience during the events as well.

    The Art Gallery in this year’s fair will also highlight Tung’s works and spirits by displaying one of his works, “Write in the World and Write for the World.”

    Art Gallery celebrates

    traditional culture

    As this year is the 25th anniversary of the fair, the Art Gallery will also launch an exhibition introducing the book history of Hong Kong in the past century.

    Old printing techniques, publications and bookstores will be displayed at the exhibition. Visitors will also have a chance to experience traditional Hong Kong under the pens of well-known Hong Kong writers such as Eileen Chung, Lilian Lee and Leung Ping-kwan.

    The Chinese Culture Exhibition at this year’s Art Gallery introduces the traditional culture of Fujian Province. Besides literary works from Bing Xin and Lin Yutang, well-known folk artworks in Fujian Province such as stone carving, lacquer work and soft wood carving paintings will also be exhibited.

    Seminars highlight

    international authors

    Seminars and lectures held by well-known Chinese and international authors have always been a highlight of the fair. This year, seven different series of seminars feature well-known authors speaking on topics including English literature, children’s literature, lifestyle and local culture.

    The seminars invited more than 30 authors and producers from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Among them are Yan Geling, Yan Lianke, Jiang Fangzhou, Lee Ao, Pai hsien-yung, Tsai Ming-liang, Wong Pik-wan, and Liu Wai-tong.

    A citywide celebration

    Besides the various activities at the book fair, more than 140 cultural activities featuring lectures, exhibitions, reading events, art events and operas will also be held across the 18 districts in Hong Kong.

    Most of these activities are organized by cultural organizations, academic institutes, bookstores and shopping venues in the city.

    “July has already become a summer celebration for reading due to the strong impact of the book fair. Many private and social organizations in Hong Kong have joined in the celebration to encourage reading activities and promote culture,” said an organizer of the fair.

    Last year, a total of 11 percent of the visitors were from non-Hong Kong areas. Among them, more then 80 percent were from the mainland. It also attracted about 60 delegations from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai last year.

    To attract more mainland visitors this year, the organizer will offer low-price tickets at HK$10 for all visitors to Hong Kong at the fair. (Wang Yuanyuan)