Exhibitions and Conventions
Record crowds are expected at the 23rd Hong Kong Book Fair, which opens 18 July 2012 for a seven day run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wanchai on Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong Book Fair
There will be more than 530 exhibitors from over 20 countries and regions, a new exhibitor record, plus hundreds of thousands of book lovers.
Previous years have seen nearly 1 million bibliophiles descending on HKCEC, turning the aisles lined with booksellers into something that approaches the MTR during rush hour.
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Book Fair will present about 350 cultural events under the theme “Reading the World, We Read therefore We Know.”
An Introduction to Hong Kong English Authors will spotlight a variety of authors living in Hong Kong, including Justin Hill, Anita Moorjani, Nicholas Wong, and Xu Xi, who will offer creative writing workshops, and poets Elbert Lee, Mary-Jane Newton, and Eddie Tay.
Chinese Writers
The Renowned Writers Seminar Series, organized by the HKTDC, Ming Pao, and Yazhou Zhoukan, will feature 17 Chinese language writers from the mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United States.
Included will be Kenneth Pai Hsien-yung, founder of the Taiwanese literary journal Modern Literature, and a renowned novelist, playwright, and critic Zi Zhongyun, a Senior Fellow at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and one of China’s leading scholars on international relations.
Hong Kong Book Fair Art Gallery
Professor Leung Ping Kwan was named the Book Fair’s “Author of the Year” in recognition of his contributions to Hong Kong literature. A variety of his personal items, including photographs, videos, and poems, will be exhibited at the Hong Kong Book Fair’s Art Gallery.
The Art Gallery will also feature photographs collected by Mr Pai to commemorate his father, General Pai Chung-his.
Another Art Gallery highlight, “A Journey to the Guangdong Literary World,” will spotlight South China’s folk culture, presenting Guangdong opera costumes, Lingnan-style paintings, Chaozhou woodcarving, and Shiwan ceramics.
Hong Kong Book Fair Pavilions
English Avenue and the e-Books and e-Learning Resources zone are among the Hong Kong Book Fair’s 14 pavilions. Other pavilions include Spirituality Zone, Teens’ World, International Cultural Village, and Children’s Paradise.
The Copyright Exchange Lounge will bring buyers together with exhibitors selling copyrights.
Better Living Expo
A concurrent fair, Better Living Expo, will be held from 20 to 22 July 2012 at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), which is adjacent to Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.
A free shuttle bus service will run between the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the AsiaWorld-Expo.
Tips for Visiting Hong Kong Book Fair
If you haven't been to the Hong Kong Book Fair before, here are a few tips:
- Arrive early – the crowds will amaze you.
- Avoid weekends – it only gets worse.
- Bring a suitcase with wheels – that's what everyone else does.
- Examine the maps first – you'll want to plot your course.
- Have books delivered – a delivery service to addresses throughout Hong Kong is available.
At last year's Hong Kong Book Fair, I bought a National Geographics travel guide to Thailand for just HK$20, about one-tenth of the list price. So what if it was the previous year's edition? Not that much changes year to year, and I can always get updated information on the Internet.
I returned the following day with a suitcase and purchased travel guides to 19 more travel destinations around the world.
Does the Book Fair still happen?
Hi Catherine! Yes, the book fair is an annual event. It is scheduled for 19 – 25 this year. It is one of the largest events in Hong Kong, drawing about one million people each year.There are lots of bargains! Some people bring suitcases with wheels to make it easier to carry all of the purchases home.