Editorial | Book fair helps instil passion for reading among Hong Kong youth
- At a time when bookshops face challenges and public libraries have seen a decline in attendance, the crowds at the event were a welcome sight
Mega events have become a frequent occurrence in Hong Kong as the city seeks to attract tourists, boost its international standing and drive the economy. The Hong Kong Book Fair, which concluded its 34th edition last week, is one of the best known and most eagerly anticipated. It ran alongside a sports and leisure expo and an event offering 1,200 snacks from around the world.
A total of 990,000 people attended the three fairs, according to organiser Hong Kong Trade Development Council. This is the same number as last year. The three events offered a variety of attractions. Many sought new books, others enjoyed the zip line experience or the tai chi robot. Some simply relished gorging on ice cream.
But it is the book fair that plays a key role in furthering Hong Kong’s ambitions to be a cultural hub.
Attendance and sales are always closely watched. A survey of more than 800 visitors, conducted by the organiser, suggested they spent HK$912 on average, up 4.6 per cent from last year.
This rosy picture, however, was not reflected by the experience of all exhibitors. Some booksellers said they expected sales to be down between 5 and 15 per cent. Two publishers complained organisers required them to remove eight titles considered sensitive.
They were told they might have breached the exhibitors’ manual, but no further explanation was provided. Exhibitors must comply with the city’s laws, including those relating to national security and observe the organiser’s rules. But it should be made clear to them which regulations have been broken and in what way.