Tai Kwun’s art book fair will not be returning this year, the Central arts hub has confirmed.
The first edition of “BOOKED: Hong Kong Art Book Fair” was held in 2019, showcasing dozens of booksellers alongside performances, public talks, and special projects.
On Tuesday, a Tai Kwun spokesperson told HKFP: “We continually refine our offerings to remain a dynamic and inspiring hub. This includes building on the success of events like BOOKED: to explore new avenues for engagement. We look forward to the possibility of welcoming BOOKED: back in the future, perhaps in a refreshed iteration.”
Tai Kwun did not answer questions as to why the book fair was axed. However, it said, “Every programming decision, whether shaped by curatorial vision, community input, or practical considerations, is guided by a single aim: to ensure Tai Kwun remains a welcoming and enriching place for all.”
Publishing industry under pressure
Last year, Tai Kwun pulled a book by former pro-democracy lawmaker Margaret Ng from the fair, citing its duty as a “law-abiding organisation,” according to local media.
The 2024 edition also attracted a campaign by gender advocates, who urged the art community to tackle image-based sexual violence.
It came after NGO RainLily asked the arts hub to ensure an artist taking part in the book fair – who HKFP learned was subject to a police complaint – did not display sexualised images that were allegedly created without the full consent of the woman depicted.
In July, The House of Hong Kong Literature – a non-profit that promotes the city’s literary scene – said that it would halt its book fair immediately, citing “factors beyond our control.”
In recent years, independent publishers have accused the Hong Kong Book Fair, the city’s official book event, of censoring them, after they were barred from taking part or told to remove certain books.
