Book enthusiasts line up to pay for their haul on the first day of 32nd Hong Kong Book Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – The annual Hong Kong Book Fair opened on Wednesday morning, featuring books on the city’s rich history and culture, as well as national affairs and cross-border interactions.
The weeklong cultural feast, which takes place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, has the theme “History and City Literature”, alongside the tagline “Reading the World: Stories of Hong Kong” this year.
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People look at books about President Xi Jinping on the first day of the annual book fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Featuring seminars by history writers such as Joseph Ting Sun-pao, who specializes in the history and cultural heritage of Hong Kong, the book fair aims to reveal to readers Hong Kong’s countless stories as told through its history, culture, and architecture.
The fair also features booths from Chung Hwa Book Co, whose booth boasts books that track Hong Kong’s development in culture and architecture in the 25 years since the city returned to China in 1997.
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A reader browses through the picture book Bedtime Stories: Art History, which was created and presented by VDO English – the education brand of China Daily Hong Kong – in one of the VDO English booths at the 32nd Hong Kong Book Fair on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
The booth also featured books detailing the historical development of the mainland and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with vendors explaining that the development of the mainland and Hong Kong are inextricably connected.
In addition, the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute released a new book that records the landmark events between Hong Kong and the mainland in the past 25 years, such as the nation’s support in Hong Kong’s battles against SARS and COVID-19; Hong Kong’s co-hosting the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics; and the opening of the Hong Kong Palace Museum earlier this month.
Bibliophiles visit one of the booths of VDO English – the education brand of China Daily Hong Kong – at the 32nd Hong Kong Book Fair on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Four books — about President Xi Jinping’s insights on democracy, the history of the Communist Party of China, family education, and human rights protection — were also published in Hong Kong on Wednesday. A book introduction event was held at the fair. Other books on Xi's theories and important speeches are also on display at the fair.
Readers can also enjoy a picture book presented by VDO English — the education brand of China Daily Hong Kong. Titled Bedtime Stories: Art History, the book is intended to explain arts in simple terms, and to open a door to artistic appreciation for both children and adult readers.
A girl reads a book on sale on the first day of the annual book fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Many booths promoting culture and literature from countries around the world, including France, Qatar, Cambodia, and more. These booths are manned by members of the consulate of their respective countries.
A book fair visitor surnamed Yan said the fair had more books related to the historical development of Hong Kong, with many booths advertising biographies of important figures in China’s recent history.
Two buyers examine their choices on the first day of the annual book fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Yan was also pleased with the new Exhibition Centre MTR station, which allowed him to reduce his commuting time to the fair by over 15 minutes.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and anti-pandemic measures, book vendors foresee that sales at the fair will drop again, on top of the declines in 2021 and 2020. A vendor surnamed Lai predicted a decrease of as much as 30 percent in sales at this year’s event, comparing to the years without the pandemic.
Book lovers look for interesting finds in different stalls at the 32nd Hong Kong Book Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Vendors said sales will also be affected by the adjustment of summer school holidays, as students now are in class. To cope with the government’s anti-pandemic policies, local students took this year’s summer break in advance, beginning in March.
The Hong Kong Public Libraries is also participating in the book fair by introducing the public to its rich e-resources through interactive zones and demonstrations.
The HKPL's booth is located at stall D22 in Hall 1B and has the theme "life/LIBRARY", encouraging members of the public to rekindle the joy of reading. Visitors can try the HKPL's e-resources with its touchscreen panels and tablets at the booth to experience the convenient online library services.
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the book fair runs from July 20 to 26 this year. The book fair is open from 10 am to 10 pm from July 20-21 and from July 24-25; 10 am to 11 pm from July 22-23; and 9 am to 5 pm on July 26.
A boy looks at books on display on first day of the annual Hong Kong Book Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Admission fees range from HK$10-25 ($1.27-3.18) per person, depending on visitor's age and entry time, with free admission for those aged below 3 or above 64 years old.
Curtis Lo contributed to this report
People go from stall to stall to read books on offer at the 32nd Hong Kong Book Fair in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)