HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair Opens Tomorrow

	Speaking at today’s press conference, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said this year’s Hong Kong Book Fair will feature more than 580 exhibitors from 33 countries and regions, setting a new record for numbers of vendors
	The Art Gallery will feature an exhibition on Author of the Year – Leo Ou-fan Lee, in three sections: Man of Letters; Scholar; and Amateur
	The “Lyrics That Moved A Generation: Half A Century Of Cantopop” will be held at the Art Gallery, and will feature works of famous lyricists since the genre became popular in the 1970s
	“A Journey to Xinjiang” showcasing Xinjiang’s cultural heritage, literature, traditional costumes, crafts and photographs will be displayed at the Art Gallery
	An exhibition saluting Dr Louis Cha displays the manuscripts of his renowned novels in celebration of the 60th anniversary of his debut martial arts novel
	The Japanese Pavilion showcases traditional Japanese culture
	The International Cultural Village has expanded by 30 per cent compared to last year, with an onus this year on French books and culture

14 July 2015 – A record number of more than 580 exhibitors from 33 countries and regions are set to take part in the 26^th HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair from 15-21 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The event, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), together with the Cultural July city-wide campaign will comprise more than 610 events and feature leading writers from around the world.

World Stage
This year’s Book Fair will be held under the theme of “Reading the World ･ Love at First Book”. More than 360 events will take place during the fair period, including seven seminar series featuring participation from several high-profile authors and speakers. Award-winning author Ben Okri is among the stars at the Book Fair. The Nigerian-born poet and novelist, who won the Booker Prize for Fiction for his 1991 novel The Famished Road, is appearing at the Book Fair alongside renowned children’s author Keith Gray through collaboration between the British Council and the HKTDC.

Meanwhile, the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau and the HKTDC are arranging for accomplished French illustrator Christian Heinrich, as well as writers Timothée de Fombelle and Christophe Ono‐dit‐Biot, to share their insights with readers at the fair. A Latin American pavilion featuring works in English and Chinese from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru will also hold readings and presentations.

Public Forum
This year’s Open Public Forum moderated by Sir David Tang will be held on 17 July from 5 to 7 pm at the HKCEC’s Theatre 1 & 2. Speakers include Swiss writer Alain de Botton, a philosopher and author of 14 bestselling books including Essays in Love, which was adapted into the film My Last Five Girlfriends.

Also appearing at the Open Public Forum will be British historian and novelist Simon Sebag Montefiore and biographer-journalist Carol Thatcher. Mr Montefiore is known for his historical masterpieces including Young Stalin and Jerusalem and enjoys widespread popularity through his fascinating portrayal of famous and infamous personalities. Ms Thatcher is the daughter of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whose subjects include her parents as well as tennis great Chris Evert.

Asian Influence
The Book Fair’s Author of the Year is Leo Ou-fan Lee. Professor Lee was born in Henan Province and is a commentator, columnist and writer whose notable works include Shanghai Modern: The Flowering of a New Urban Culture in China, 1930-1945. During the fair, the Art Gallery will feature an exhibition on Author of the Year – Leo Ou-fan Lee, in three sections: Man of Letters; Scholar; and Amateur. Three seminars will focus on Professor Lee and his work over the years.

A wide range of authors from across Asia will be at the Book Fair, including George Yeo, Chairman of Kerry Logistics and Singapore’s former Minister for Foreign Affairs, who will launch his book The New Maritime Silk Road and its Impact on Hong Kong and Singapore. Also featured will be Lung Yingtai, Hou Hsiao Hsien and Chen Ruoxi from Taiwan; Chi Zijian, Jiu Yehui and Zhang Jiajia from the Chinese mainland; and Zha Jianyin from the United States, Li Sang from Malaysia and Japanese author Hifumi Arai. Local authors Maria Chaudhuri, Jason Ng and Mark O’Neill will also speak at Book Fair seminars.

A Journey to Xinjiang
Other Art Gallery highlights include “A Journey to Xinjiang”, showcasing Xinjiang’s cultural heritage, literature, traditional costumes, crafts and photographs. A Xinjiang Dance Troupe will also perform traditional dance pieces during the fair.

Featured Zones
The Book Fair comprises a number of zones, including English Avenue, which will feature more than 30 exhibitors such as Commercial Press, Metrobooks, Swindon and PageOne, bringing a range of English titles to the event. Other zones include e-Books & e-Learning Resource, Chinese Mainland Publishers, Taiwan Publishing Community and International Cultural Village.

Cultural July
The city-wide Cultural July campaign will also take place alongside the Book Fair. The month-long campaign includes around 250 events, ranging from authors’ sharing sessions and family reading workshops, to guided neighbourhood tours and a wide variety of cultural events at book stores, shopping malls, educational institutions, coffee shops and other venues throughout Hong Kong.

Book Fair website: http://www.hkbookfair.com

Book Fair Videos:
Author of the Year Leo Ou-fan Lee: https://youtu.be/-R-CvymxgeM
Alain de Botton: https://youtu.be/b5-JYwBoz34
Simon Sebag Montefiore: https://youtu.be/SSi3uv3d5fw
Carol Thatcher: http://youtu.be/m7eNaJdCfhQ

Opening Hours
15-16 July 2015 (Wed-Thur) 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
17-18 July 2015 (Fri-Sat) 10:00 am – 12:00 midnight
19-20 July 2015 (Sun-Mon) 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
21 July 2015 (Tue) 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission
Open to public by ticket admission
Adult Ticket: HK$25
Child Ticket: HK$10 (for children under 1.22m tall / primary school students)
Morning Admission Ticket (entry before 12:00noon) : HK$10 (available for sale at the fairground only each day)
Children under 3 and elderly over 65 will be admitted free of charge

Special re-entry promotion: Visitors who purchase regular tickets for adults ($25) or children ($10) dated 15 and 16 July can enjoy free admission on 17, 18 or 19 July after 7pm by presenting the entire stub attached to the admission ticket. The offer is not applicable to other admission tickets, including morning admission tickets, concessionary tickets, VIP tickets and complimentary tickets.

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

Parker Robinson    Tel: (852) 2584 4341           Email: parker.robinson@hktdc.org

About the 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.