Hong Kong Book Fair slated to return in mid-December

The Hong Kong Book Fair has been rescheduled to mid-December while the organiser Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will assess if the event can proceed due to the uncertainty related to the pandemic.

Originally scheduled for 15 to 21 July, the book fair will run from 16 to 22 December 2020 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. According to the HKTDC, a survey was conducted earlier to examine exhibitors’ willingness to host the event, while half of the respondents said they preferred that the book fair was held before the end of 2020, as long as it’s safe to proceed.

Benjamin Chau, the HKTDC's deputy executive director, said, "We will promptly notify all stakeholders and exhibitors of any subsequent changes to allow them sufficient time to get prepared. On 16 November, a month before the fair’s scheduled opening, we will assess if the event should proceed in light of the prevailing situation and risks."

"This will be followed by a final evaluation and decision on 9 December, a week before the fair’s opening and shortly before the exhibitors move in, with a view to minimising as far as possible any extra expenditure that might be incurred by exhibitors," he added.

The Hong Kong government has earmarked funding through the Second Round of the Anti-epidemic Fund for the book fair to fully subsidise local exhibitors’ participation fees, subject to a cap of HK$100,000 per local exhibitor. This subsidy will remain applicable to the rescheduled book fair.

The HKTDC will continue to support exhibitors through various initiatives – including a discount for members of supporting organisations and an expansion incentive – meaning most of them will be able to participate in this year’s book fair free of charge.

The rescheduled book fair will use the original theme "Inspirational and Motivational Reading", while the tagline being “Reading the World • Inspiring the Mind and Refreshing the Soul”.

The HKTDC will showcase a thematic exhibition in the Art Gallery aligning with this year’s theme with the title of “Words to Warm the Heart”. The Art Gallery will also feature another two exhibitions with the themes “Cherished Memories of the Children’s Paradise”, and “The Dragon Never Dies – Bruce Lee @80” co-organised with the Bruce Lee Club.

The HKTDC has also been enhancing its online promotional platforms. The new Book Fair Online section has been introduced in the Book Fair website and mobile app, bringing together exhibitors’ online retail platforms in the “Exhibitor Directory” webpage, so customers can browse and purchase books and products.

As of 2 September, the Book Fair Online had already aggregated more than 210 exhibitors’ online retail platforms with over 110,000 books available for sale.