Following its success at last year's Hong Kong Book Fair, France will introduce more comics and children's books this year. The 16th Hong Kong Book Fair will take place at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai from July 20 to 25. Organisers have designated July 24 as French Cultural Day to facilitate cultural exchange activities with renowned French authors and publishers. Last year's Book Fair featured French comic artist David B, whose work Epileptic had been translated into Chinese and was a bestseller in Hong Kong. Another comic artist featured was French-educated Marjane Satrapi. Her four-part series Persepolis - Satrapi's wise, funny and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran - was published in Chinese recently and was well received by local readers. This year's visiting artists are Michel Plessix, Alex Alice and Chantal Montellier. Plessix, one of the bestselling children's comics author, has won many prizes including the Alpha Art in the International Comics Festival. His popular work, such as Julien Boisvert and Le Vent dans les Saules, has been published in Chinese. Alice created the series The Third Testament in 1997 and later Tomb Raider: Dark Eons. Formerly an illustrator for newspapers, Montellier is a well-known artist who focuses on social and women issues. Her top-selling books include Julie Bristol. To celebrate the Year of France in China, the French booth at the Book Fair will be the biggest, featuring 250 comics and children's books. 'We believe French comics will become as popular as Japanese comics,' said Madeline Progin of Hong Kong's only French bookstore Parentheses. 'Comics are considered as art in France. The books are sophisticatedly printed and packaged. Many people like to collect them.' Joining France in the International Cultural Village exhibition at the Book Fair are Denmark, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The Trade Development Council is expecting more visitors with exciting new additions this year. Tickets are available at 7-Eleven and Hong Kong Ticketing for $20 (adults) and $10 (children). For more information, visit www.hkbookfair.com
