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The annual Book Fair is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and takes place over several days. It launched in 1990.
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.
Hong Kong authorities must clearly define where the red lines are so that stakeholders do not fall foul of the national security law.
If those attending Hong Kong’s biggest public gathering since the Covid-19 pandemic are kept safe, there will be no reason not to consider relaxing restrictions elsewhere
Luisa Tam says local officials want the city to be seen as modern and culturally diverse, but in many areas it falls short.
- Hong Kong Trade Development Council says attendees spent HK$872 on average at joint event comprising book fair, Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks
- Book vendors record modest rise in sales, but some slam organisers for deterring bargain hunters by axing lower entry fees at night
Organisers expect visitor numbers to reach pre-pandemic levels of 1 million over seven-day event.
Hong Kong Book fair vendors work flat out to set up on Tuesday to make up for lost time caused by Typhoon Talim.
Organisers say they do not have lists of books that could not be displayed because they trust their exhibitors.
Number of attendees rose about 2.4 per cent from the 830,000 visitors at last year’s fair; customers spent an average of HK$879 at 2022 event.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang says many young people had wrong ideas about country and city government during 2019 social unrest and had to ‘bear the legal consequences’.
Historian Elizabeth Sinn argues that far from being shipped overseas as indentured labourers, Chinese emigrants to California chose to go there under their own steam.
Meta regional creative head Kitty Lun joins 19 other advertising veterans to launch book to motivate young residents to learn and transform.
Political activist and independent publisher hit brick wall twice recently in bid to sell books in Hong Kong.
Readers discuss how Boris Johnson’s tenure is an emblem of what is wrong with democracy, and why Hong Kong parents must go beyond buying exam workbooks to raise good learners.
Titles featured include works of late writer Ni Kuang, publications on wide range of subjects and even a 14-page Xi Jinping speech.
Small and medium-sized publishers says they are taking extra care when picking titles to curate at Hong Kong Book Fair.
Trade Development Council says it does not censor books in advance, but hopes exhibitors can observe book fair’s guidelines.
This year’s event is themed ‘Reading the World: Stories of Hong Kong’.
One of a Kind says its application for the annual book fair was rejected, while sources reveal Humming Publishing also barred from event.
As Hong Kong booksellers worry about national security law, popular independent San Po Kong store is latest to close, with owner blaming ‘the state of politics’.
Shades of Cultural Revolution as films are blocked, books are targeted, and creative community comes to grips with new censorship landscape.
Average spending falls by 6 per cent according to survey of 800 shoppers even as some publishers report a rise in sales.
Opposition-leaning media ‘have retreated under the national security law’, one author says, ceding spotlight to pro-establishment writers.
Activist group files complaints about eight books that are either penned by opposition figures or about anti-government protests in 2014 and 2019.
Despite a reduced presence, political titles from opposition figures still being sold at first book fair held since national security law came into effect.
Books at the seven-day fair will not be vetted or censored but publishers will have to participate within limits of the national security law, organiser says.
Seven-day fair will be held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 14 to 21. Among those expected to attend, some doubt there will be many new politics books this time around.
Cleaning, disinfection increased, fewer seats provided, and all library users must wear masks.
Organiser will assess the health risks a month before the opening and make a final decision on December 9.
The decision to push ahead with the book fair, one of the world’s largest, before the end of the year is based on the results of a poll of fair exhibitors.
With 50 exhibitions, conferences cancelled so far, companies say they face massive losses
