The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, alongside the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo and the 6th World of Snacks, opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), running concurrently until 21 July. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the events offer a single-ticket experience combining reading, sports, leisure, and global snacks, attracting over 770 exhibitors. The opening ceremony featured Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, and HKTDC Chairman Professor Frederick Ma, who emphasized the Book Fair's role in promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning.
The Book Fair’s theme, 'Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,' aims to inspire exploration of global cultures through literature. Eight seminar series feature notable speakers, including Cheng Po-hung on Hong Kong’s tourist history, Su Tong on literature and everyday life, and Liu Zhenyun on storytelling. The English and International Reading Seminar Series includes inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival participants like Eka Kurniawan and Clarissa Goenawan. The World of Art & Culture exhibition, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, showcases over 200 books and interactive installations linking Hong Kong to global literary traditions.
The Sports and Leisure Expo highlights include the Hong Kong Sports Institute’s 35th-anniversary exhibition of Asian Games medals and interactive fitness challenges. Now TV will broadcast major sporting events on large screens. New participants Turkiye and Korea join the Travel & Tourism zone, offering cultural activities like mosaic lamp workshops and K-pop experiences. Athlete sharing sessions feature basketball coach Leung Chun-hung and rope skipping champion Wong Tin-yau, while the Hong Kong Bodybuilding Open Championships preview is scheduled for 18 July.
The World of Snacks brings over 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries across six themed zones. Exhibitors include The Nutter Company with handmade nut butter ice cream, Azure Asia with additive-free snacks, and social enterprise TimeTo Gold featuring traditional pastries made by senior women. Interactive activities include black sesame roll demonstrations and a Junior Sommelier Workshop.
Admission is HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with special morning tickets at HK$10 and a Super Pass for HK$88 offering unlimited entry. Tourists can purchase concessionary tickets for HK$20. The events underscore Hong Kong’s summer vibrancy, blending cultural, recreational, and gastronomic attractions. For details, visit the Hong Kong Book Fair website at https://www.hkbookfair.com/en, the Sports and Leisure Expo site at https://www.hktdc.com/event/hksportsleisureexpo/en, and the World of Snacks page at https://www.hktdc.com/event/worldofsnacks/en.
