The 31st HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will run 14-20 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organisers expect more than 700 exhibitors to attend, and are set to deliver a wide selection of cultural activities and leisure experiences running over the week of the fair.
The Book Fair runs alongside the HKTDC Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and the debut World of Snacks. Benjamin Chau, HKTDC deputy executive director, said the Hong Kong Book Fair Cultural Events Advisory Panel explains that the Book Fair has adopted the theme ‘Inspirational and Motivational Reading’ for the 2021 edition. “Together these three events can help people declutter their minds and live more rewarding and fulfilling lives,” said Chau.
Two thematic exhibitions, Cherished Memories of the Children’s Paradise and The Dragon Never Dies - Bruce Lee @80, will showcase two precious collections of memorabilia at the Art Gallery at the HKCEC during the event.
During the fair period and the citywide Cultural July campaign, more than 600 online and offline cultural events will be organised in Hong Kong.
This year’s Sports and Leisure Expo will cover a broad range of sports and leisure brands, products and services. In addition to the 10 existing themes, the expo features the new Travel. Excursion zone, showcasing exciting outdoors activities such as diving, stand-up paddle-boarding, rock climbing and geo-tours. A range of free trials and demonstrations will be offered at the expo, including a lion dance performance run by the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association, a pickleball taster session from the Asia Elite Sports Association, and a speed stacking experience coordinated by the Hong Kong Sport Stacking Association. In addition, local rugby players Salom Yiu and Sham Wai-sum, freestyle football player Tony Ma and other Hong Kong sports stars will take part in a series of celebrity-sharing sessions and performances.
Making its debut in 2021, the World of Snacks features six thematic zones: Travel Delights, Chocolate and Sweet Factory, Oldie Snacks, Yummy & Healthy, Party Time and Snack Bar.
The HKTDC Education and Careers Expo will be held at the HKCEC from 15 to 18 July, running in parallel with the Book Fair. Admission to the expo is free of charge.
Organisers are also supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s 'Early Vaccination for All’ campaign, with a number of booths offering various incentives to visitors who have been vaccinated, including book discounts and giveaways, cash vouchers and gifts.
Additionally, the HKTDC will offer 35,000 free admissions to those who have been vaccinated. These will be made available in limited quotas every day of the Book Fair on a first-come-first-served basis. Visitors can enjoy free admission by presenting their vaccination record. More details can be found at: https://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/Vaccination_en.
All on-site staff and exhibitors are required to present a negative Covid-19 nucleic acid test result or a record of receiving two Covid-19 vaccination injections in order to enter the shows. Visitors must also record their entry date and time using the LeaveHomeSafe mobile app or fill out a record form.
Eating, drinking and food tasting within the venue (including booth areas) are all prohibited except in designated eating areas. Other safety measures include temperature-screening stations, hand sanitiser and disinfection items available at multiple locations around the HKCEC, and a stepped up cleaning regime at the venue.
To ensure a more even flow of visitors throughout the day, the HKTDC will run a system of morning admission ticket and night admission tickets and physical ticket sales will not be available to avoid the use of cash and minimise contact.
