Hong Kong book fair’s success a significant step on the road to normality
- Almost 1 million people attended the event, a welcome return to pre-pandemic levels. And the fair also provided compelling evidence that enthusiasm for printed works still exists in the digital age
The death of the printed book has long been predicted, in an age of reading material mostly taking the form of social media posts, especially for the young. But the joy of reading books remains alive and well, at least if the Hong Kong Book Fair is a guide.
The seven-day annual event, one of the largest of its kind in the world, ended this week. It was the first to be held since the reopening of borders.
Almost 1 million people attended, marking a welcome return to pre-pandemic levels, with 10 per cent of them tourists. The sight of several hundred book lovers queuing early in the morning on the opening day was encouraging.
A survey commissioned by organisers, the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council, suggested average spending of HK$872 (US$111.80) among attendees, which for many represented the bulk of their annual expenditure on books.
The event made a significant contribution to Hong Kong’s return to normality. There were 780 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions at the book fair and sister sports and snack events.
Authors from mainland China and overseas combined with local writers for talks, seminars and cultural events, some of which were oversubscribed.
Visitors from mainland China, often looking for books they cannot find at home, took advantage of being able to visit Hong Kong again. The new Exhibition Centre MTR station provided easier access from Shenzhen.
Those attending did not seem deterred by the HK$30 admission fee, a HK$5 increase on last year. Organisers should, however, consider the impact of no longer giving a discount in the evening.
The passing of the national security law in 2020 has posed challenges for some publishers. Book fair organisers warned vendors to comply with that and the city’s other laws.
Hong Kong Book Fair logs 990,000 visitors this year, a return to pre-Covid levels
Last year two publishers were banned and there were further rejections this time around.
But it was good to see that the three independent publishers present at last year’s fair returned. Also, books by some authors whose works have been removed from public libraries because of perceived national security risks were available at the fair.
While the law must be complied with, it is important to ensure the public enjoys a diverse selection of reading material.
The focus of this year’s fair was literature for children and young adults. Instilling a love of reading from an early age, integral to an individual’s development and understanding of the world, is of great importance.
It is reassuring to see compelling evidence at the book fair that much enthusiasm for printed works still exists in the digital age. Reading, in whatever form it is consumed, is a joy that should be encouraged as technology continues to develop.
