Hong Kong Gears Up For Book Fair Next Month

	Speaking in Singapore, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau introduced the highlights of upcoming events organised by the HKTDC, including the Hong Kong Book Fair
	HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau spoke about some of the celebrated authors who will attend the Hong Kong Book Fair, and also outlined the key activities scheduled for the upcoming Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer and Hong Kong Food Expo

3 June 2015 – Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau today (3 June) introduced three major HKTDC summer events during a road show in Singapore.  The HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer and the HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair take place next month while the HKTDC Food Expo opens in August. All three events will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Hong Kong and Singapore have a long and close business relationship, with Singaporean businessman frequently participating in HKTDC events to promote their quality brands and source new products.

Hong Kong Book Fair – Annual Cultural Event in the Greater China
The 26^th Hong Kong Book Fair will be held from 15-21 July at the HKCEC. To encourage more readers from the region, road shows in Singapore, Taipei, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are organised to unveil the highlights of this not-to-be-missed summer event.

The week-long fair will be held under the theme “Reading the World ･ Love at First Book”.

“When we read, we follow the story and explore the world of the characters. The reading journey would create an attachment to the characters and their world. The Hong Kong Book Fair encourages readers to fall in love with books,” Mr Chau said.

This year, respected scholar Professor Leo Lee has been selected as the fair’s “Author of the Year”. Professor Lee has devoted his life to works spanning literature, movies, music, history and modern cultures. To salute his many contributions, the Art Gallery - Author of the Year exhibition will feature Professor Lee’s works under three sections: Man of Letters, The Scholar, and The Amateur. He will also speak at three seminars during the fair period.

Apart from the “Author of the Year”, Art Gallery will feature an exhibition entitled “Lyrics That Moved A Generation: Half A Century Of Cantopop”. Cantopop’s influence is felt not just in Hong Kong, but among Chinese-speaking communities around the world. The exhibition will showcase the golden era of Cantopop over the past decades in a multimedia setting. A number of speakers, such as well-known Hong Kong lyricist Albert Leung will share their insights with the public. Other Art Gallery highlights include “A Journey to Xinjiang”, showcasing Xinjiang’s intangible cultural heritage, traditional costumes, crafts and photographs. A Xinjiang Dance Troupe will also perform traditional dance pieces during the fair.

This year, more than 300 events will be organised during the Book Fair. A number of authors and speakers from around the world are taking part, including Lung Yingtai and Chen Ruoxi from Taiwan; Chi Zijian, Jiu Yehui and Zhang Jiajia from the Chinese mainland; and Zha Jianyin from the United States and Li Sang from Malaysia.

The HKTDC is collaborating with Sir David Tang to organise the Open Public Forum with renowned British historian and author Simon Sebag Montefiore, Swiss best-selling author Alain de Botton and journalist Carol Thatcher, the daughter of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Other confirmed speakers include English children’s books writer Keith Gray, Nigerian poet and novelist Ben Okri, Hong Kong military specialist Ma Dingsheng, French children’s books illustrator Christian Heinrich, French award-winning novelist Timothée de Fombelle and Japanese author Arai Hifumi.

The week-long fair is expecting more than 580 exhibitors from close to 30 countries and regions. Overseas visitors to Hong Kong can purchase HK$10 concessionary tickets (Original price: HK$25) upon presentation of valid travel documents. The city-wide Cultural July festival is also taking place alongside the Book Fair. The month-long festival includes around 250 events, ranging from seminars and author sessions to cultural tours and other activities at book stores, shopping malls, educational institutions, coffee shops and various venues throughout Hong Kong. Details are available at the Book Fair website: http://www.hkbookfair.com

Food Expo – A Feast of Opportunity
HKTDC Food Expo is one of the most exciting annual events in the city. It generates intense local and international interest from food industry professionals, retailers and the general public. In 2014, Trade Hall attracted over 20,000 trade buyers while Public Hall exhibitors welcomed over 460,000 public visitors, a record high. This year’s Food Expo will run from 13-17 August with more than 1,100 exhibitors coming from around the world. Australia, the Chinese mainland, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, the United States and Poland will also establish pavilions, showcasing a variety of local specialities from their respective countries and regions. The Expo’s Gourmet Zone is where the very finest delicacies find a home under four themes - Western Delicacy, Asian Cuisine, Chic & More and Sweet Delight. Special events will be organised within the zone. The Food Expo is held concurrently with the HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair, International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products, and HKTDC Home Delights Expo.

Unveiling The Latest Fashion Collections
HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer - the ideal global marketplace to launch or to source the latest Spring/Summer collections, will take place from 6-9 July at the HKCEC. As the fashion hub of Asia, Hong Kong hosts exhibitors from all over the world to showcase collections with a cosmopolitan blend of East and West. Creating a global overview of style trends for the coming seasons, the Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer opens up opportunities for market expansion. Last year’s event welcomed nearly 17,000 buyers from 71 countries and regions, underscoring strong industry support for the show. Now in its 22^nd edition, Fashion Week adopts the theme “Tribal Safari”, bringing a unique and fresh ambience to the fair. Around 1,200 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, are expected to take part in the Fashion Week for Spring/Summer.

Hong Kong Book Fair’s Website︰http://www.hkbookfair.com
Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer’s Website︰http://www.hktdc.com/fair/hkfashionweekss-en
Food Expo’s Website︰http://www.hktdc.com/fair/hkfoodexpo-en
HKTDC’s Media Centre︰http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.