23 June 2014 – Some 570 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, a new exhibitor record, will take part in the 25th HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, 16-22 July, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The annual fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will feature more than 500 cultural events, a new fair record.
Beijing to Bangkok and Macau
British writers Susan Barker, Lawrence Osborne and Peter Suart, who is also an illustrator, musician and theatrical performer, are among those participating in the fair this year. Ms Barker’s third novel, The Incarnations, set in Beijing, will be published next month. Mr Osborne, who lives in Bangkok, has written a number of books, including Bangkok Days, a memoir. His novel The Forgiven was named one of the best books of 2012 by The Economist and The Guardian. A book on drinking, The Wet and the Dry, was selected as one of the best 10 books of 2013 in The New York Times. His latest novel, The Ballad of a Small Player, is set in Macau.
French Connection
French authors François Drémeaux, David Foenkinos and Olivier Lebé are participating. Mr Foenkinos has written 12 novels, including Delicacy, which has sold over a million copies in France. The book has been translated into 40 languages. A movie version, directed by Mr Foenkinos and his brother Stéphane, was released last year and nominated for Best Feature and Best Adaptation at the Cesar Awards. Mr Lebé’s first novel, Repulse Bay, is set in Hong Kong and won Le Prix du Premier Roman 2013 award. Barbara Demick, the Beijing Bureau Chief of the Los Angeles Times, and author of Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, will also take part.
Literary Hong Kong
Frank Dikötter, Chair Professor of Humanities at the University of Hong Kong, and the author of nine books, is among the Hong Kong-based authors participating in the Book Fair. Professor Dikötter’s latest book, The Tragedy of Liberation, a history of the Chinese revolution, was named one of the best books of 2013 by The Economist and The Sunday Times and short-listed for the Orwell Prize. Other local authors participating are Mark O’Neill, Richard Tong, who has written three novels, and Kelly Yang, author of three children’s books and founder of The Kelly Yang Project, a local writing and debating school for children.
Renowned Writers
The Renowned Writers Seminar Series, organised by the HKTDC, Ming Pao and Yazhou Zhoukan, will showcase 20 writers from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. They include Pai Hsien-yung, Li Ao and his son Li Kan, Liu Chao-shiuan, Geling Yan and Yan Lianke.
In all, the fair will present seven seminar series, ranging from Children and Youth Reading to Personal Development and Spiritual Growth, new this year.
Century of Books
Art Gallery highlights will include “A Journey to Fujian,” featuring the work of Lin Yutang and Bing Xin, along with Shoushan stone carvings and Dehua porcelain. “The Hong Kong Story: A Century of Books,” will spotlight the local publishing industry and feature a traditional Hong Kong book store. The Art Gallery will also include an exhibition on Dung Kai Cheung, the fair’s “Author of the Year.” Three seminars will focus on Mr Dung and his work over the years.
Featured Pavilions
The fair will present a number of pavilions, including English Avenue, Teens’ World, e-Books and e-Learning Resources, and Children’s Paradise, offering “Storytelling by Celebrities.” The International Cultural Village will feature half a dozen exhibitors from Japan, in the fair’s first Japan Pavilion. In all, more than 20 countries and regions will showcase their literature at the cultural village, including first-time exhibitors Colombia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.
Cultural July
Cultural July will take place alongside the Book Fair. The month-long festival begins 23 June and continues through the end of July. It will include more than 170 events, ranging from seminars and author sessions to cultural tours and other activities at book stores, shopping malls, educational institutions, coffee shops and other venues throughout Hong Kong.
Website: http://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en
Video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBrAaPzPW6UowPIQNWOlRx7eiPtrq1DCQ
Fair Hours
16-17 July (Wednesday-Thursday) 10am-10pm
18-19 July (Friday-Saturday) 10am-midnight
20-21 July (Sunday-Monday) 10am-10pm
22 July (Tuesday) 9am-5pm
Admission (open to the public; by ticket only)
Adults: HK$25
Children: HK$10 (for children under 1.22m tall/primary school students)
Morning admission (before noon): HK$10 (tickets for sale at fairground only)
Free admission for children under three and adults over 65
Note: no admission to the fair 45 minutes before the announced daily close time
Special Re-entry Promotion
Visitors who purchase regular adult or child tickets dated 16 or 17 July can enjoy free admission on 18, 19 or 20 July after 7pm, by presenting the stub attached to the admission ticket. The offer is not applicable to other admission tickets.
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
