Hong Kong book fair hopes record 580 exhibitors can attract more than a million visitors
Organisers hope record number of exhibitors and Canto-pop exhibition will pull in the crowds
The annual Book Fair returns next month with a record 580 exhibitors from over 30 countries, and organisers say they hope to attract more than a million visitors.
The Trade Development Council unveiled details of the fair yesterday. An exhibition promoting Canto-pop culture will also be part of the event.
The fair is in its 26th year and will be held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai from July 15 to 21 under the theme "Reading the World: Love at First Book".
Among prominent writers who will be taking part in the fair's Open Public Forum is the daughter of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who will be sharing an biography she wrote on her late father Denis, titled Below the Parapet.
"I think some people are born passionate wordsmiths," Carol Thatcher said in an interview with the council. "A lot of people asked me, what was it like to be Mr Maggie Thatcher? … The book was very popular because everybody wanted to know - women wanted to know what it was like to be the husband being two steps behind."
To promote Canto-pop culture, there will be an exhibition featuring the works of local lyricists over the decades since the genre took off in the 1970s.