The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced that the 36th Hong Kong Book Fair will be held from July 15 to 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, running concurrently with the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and the World of Snacks. The three fairs are expected to bring together more than 770 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries and regions, providing a one-stop destination for culture, sports, and leisure experiences. This year's Book Fair adopts "Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys" as its annual theme, with over 600 cultural events scheduled both at the fairground and across the city.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said the theme aims to inspire readers to explore the heritage and innovation of traditional culture in modern society through reading, and to immerse themselves in cultural and eco-tourism. The fair will feature a "World of Art & Culture" zone with an exhibition titled "World in Words, A Voyage of the Heart," which connects Hong Kong stories with world literature through six interactive set-ups and over 200 books and items from around the world.
Eight seminar series will bring together renowned writers from around the world, including Chinese-language authors Liu Zhenyun, Su Tong, and Bi Feiyu, as well as British poet and novelist Luke Kennard. For the first time, the Book Fair will introduce the ASEAN Literary Festival in collaboration with the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, featuring authors such as Eka Kurniawan and Clarissa Goenawan. The fair will also host aerospace experts including Professor Wu Bo from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who will share insights into national space missions.
The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo will showcase the latest sports trends through experiential activities, including the "Fit & Fearless Challenge" by the Hong Kong Playground Association and lightweight pickleball apparel by Cyber Smart Limited. The World of Snacks will feature more than 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries and regions, ranging from local handmade peanut cookies by Amore Hand Baked to innovative healthy snacks like Do Did Dust's soybean by-product crisps and freeze-dried candy products by Night Fever Limited.
Community-wide efforts to promote reading include the "Joyful Reading Lucky Rewards" campaign by Sino Group, which will also sponsor underprivileged families to visit the fair. Sun Hung Kai Properties' "Read to Dream" initiative will invite students from grassroots families to participate in cultural activities. The HKTDC, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, will launch a "60 Book Fair Super Passes" giveaway through a Facebook game.
A single ticket provides access to all three events, with adult tickets priced at HK$30. Special discounts such as morning admission tickets, special re-entry, and tourist tickets will be available. The Book Fair runs from 10am to 10pm on July 15-20 and 9am to 5pm on July 21, while the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks have slightly varied hours. For more information, visit the Hong Kong Book Fair website at hkbookfair.com, the Sports and Leisure Expo site at hktdc.com/event/hksportsleisureexpo, and the World of Snacks site at hktdc.com/event/worldofsnacks.
