The 31st HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held from 15 to 21 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). More than 730 exhibitors are expected to gather at the fair and the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, presenting a wide selection of books and activities over the week. During the fair and the citywide Cultural July campaign, over 600 online and offline cultural events, catering to different interests and age groups, will be organised, including thematic exhibitions at the Art Gallery at the HKCEC, seminars hosted by acclaimed writers and celebrity storytelling sessions. Visitors can experience the joy of reading and interacting with authors as well as trying out the hottest new sports and leisure activities, helping to build both spiritual and physical strength.
2020 fair spotlights inspirational and motivational reading
The theme of this year’s Book Fair is Inspirational and Motivational Reading, with the tagline “Reading the World • Inspiring the Mind and Refreshing the Soul”. Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “The Hong Kong Book Fair Cultural Events Advisory Panel aims to create a spiritual oasis through this year’s theme, encouraging citizens to read inspirational and motivational books that can empower them to face the challenges ahead. The Sports and Leisure Expo, meanwhile, will introduce exciting sports and leisure activities that can encourage people to develop a healthy and positive lifestyle and live their lives to the fullest.”
On-site hygiene measures ensure participants’ safety
Mr Chau added that the well-being and safety of exhibitors and visitors will be the top concern at the Book Fair. Various measures will be put in place to protect people against the pandemic, including requiring everyone entering and staying in the fairground to wear a mask, setting up temperature-screening stations, providing hand sanitiser at multiple locations around the venue, and stepping up the cleaning and disinfection of exhibitors’ booths and the venue itself. To spread the flow of visitors and encourage people to visit the fair at non-peak hours, in addition to offering morning admission tickets the HKTDC will introduce night admission tickets as well as the special re-entry promotion.
Similar to last year, the 2020 Book Fair will feature eight seminar series, namely Renowned Writers (co-organised with Mingpao and Yazhou Zhoukan), Theme of the Year “Inspiring the Mind and Refreshing the Soul”, English and Foreign Reading Series, World of Knowledge, Children and Youth Reading, Spiritual Growth and Personal Development, Lifestyle and the Hong Kong Cultural and Historical Seminar Series.
