Hong Kong: Hundreds of Thousands Expected at 25th Annual Book Fair!

onvention and Exhibitions

Close to 1 million bibliophiles are expected at the 25th annual Hong Kong Book Fair, which opens today (16 July 2014) for a one week run. More than 500 cultural events are also planned.

Close to 600 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions will display and sell books and related products at the 25th annual Hong Kong Book Fair, which opens on 16 July 2014 for a one week run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai on Hong Kong Island.

To show just how popular this event has become, it will be open until 12 midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Whoever said that printed books had gone the way of the dodo bird?

More than 500 cultural events – a new record – will be held in conjunction with the fair, which is one of the biggest events of the year on Hong Kong’s cultural calendar.

The overswhelming majority of books for sale will be in English or Chinese. But an increasing number of titles in other languages – such as Japanese and French – will be available.

And you can expect a wide selection of comic books – one of Hong Kong’s most popular literary genres!

Featured pavilions will include English Avenue, Teens’ World, e-Books and e-Learning Resources, and Children’s Paradise.

The International Cultural Village will feature pavilions from more than 20 countries and regions. Colombia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia will have their own pavilions for the first time this year.

Celebrated Authors

Many celebrated authors from around the world will be making an appearance at this year’s Hong Kong Book Fair. A short list of some of the featured writers includes …

Susan Barker (British), whose 3rd novel, ‘The Incarnations’, will be published next month.
Lawrence Osborne (British), whose novel, ‘The Forgiven’, was named one of the best books of 2012 by ‘The Economist’ and ‘The Guardian’.
David Foenkinos (French), whose novel ‘Delicacy’, has sold more than 1 million copies in France.
Olivier Lebé (French), whose first novel, ‘Repulse Bay’, is set in Hong Kong.
Dozens of writers from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Scantily Clad Models

Among the more controversial – yet popular – features of the Hong Kong Book Fair are scantily clad models, who prowl the exhibition halls of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre during the Hong Kong Book Fair from time to time.

And whenever one these skimpily clad models makes an appearance, you can be sure that a plethora of paparazzi and would-be paparazzi will be crowding around them and snapping shots like crazy.

Tips for Visiting the 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.

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