The 35th edition of the week-long Hong Kong Book Fair opened its doors on Wednesday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai.
The Hong Kong Book Fair, which runs until Tuesday, is the city’s largest book event, showcasing a wide range of publishers and titles.
It is held concurrently with the Sports and Leisure Expo, and World of Snacks, with this year’s theme: “Food Culture, Future Living.” Over 770 exhibitors are participating in the three events, according to a press release from the book fair.
Dozens of booths lined the halls of the HKCEC, each stocked with rows of books from various publishers and genres. Visitors rolled around trolley carts and suitcases filled with books, some using them as makeshift chairs amidst the bustling fair.
Readers of all ages, from children to the elderly, could be seen flipping through books, magazines, and other publications. Others opted to try out a virtual reality experience organised by the Geotechnical Engineering Office.
Some publications, such as Breakazine, are making their final appearance at the annual fair.
The Hong Kong youth and culture magazine ceased publishing in April, citing increasing production costs and changes in people’s reading habits, according to a statement published on Facebook in July last year.
The city’s independent book fair also returned for its third year on Thursday, with a total of 14 publishers taking part. Hunter Bookstore, in Sham Shui Po, and other bookshops are hosting the event, which runs until Sunday.
Leticia Wong, owner of Hunter Bookstore, started the alternative book fair in 2023, inviting publishers excluded from the Hong Kong Book Fair in the previous year.
At least three independent publishers were rejected from participating in this year’s Hong Kong Book Fair.
Two of the barred publishers, Bbluesky and Boundary Bookstore, were asked by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), organiser of the Hong Kong Book Fair, to remove certain titles from their shelves at the fair last year.
Words by Khunsha Dar.
