The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo, and the 6th World of Snacks, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), running concurrently through 21 July. With a single ticket, visitors can access all three events, which together feature more than 770 exhibitors, offering a summer experience that combines reading, sports, and snack tasting from around the world.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR, who delivered the opening address. HKTDC Chairman Professor Frederick Ma welcomed attendees, highlighting the Book Fair's role as one of Asia's most influential cultural events and its theme this year, 'Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys.' The theme aims to inspire readers to explore global histories, cultures, and lifestyles through reading, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange.
The Book Fair features eight seminar series, including the Theme of the Year and Renowned Writers series. Notable speakers include Cheng Po-hung, Museum Expert Adviser of the Hong Kong Museum of History, discussing Hong Kong's tourist attractions history; Su Tong, a leading Chinese avant-garde fiction writer, exploring literature and everyday life; and Liu Zhenyun, sharing insights on his recent works. The English and International Reading Seminar Series includes British poet Luke Kennard and Swedish fantasy novelist Kristina Dowling, alongside the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival featuring Indonesian novelist Eka Kurniawan and Singaporean author Clarissa Goenawan.
The World of Art & Culture, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, presents the exhibition 'World in Words, A Voyage of the Heart,' with over 200 books and exhibits, interactive installations, and more than 35 events. The Chinese Mainland Publishers showcase around 20,000 publications, with Yunnan as the featured province, highlighting its ethnic cultures and products. The Guangdong Publishing Pavilion includes a 'Qiaopi Cultural Zone' focusing on Chaoshan emigrant heritage.
The Sports and Leisure Expo features the Hong Kong Sports Institute's 35th anniversary exhibition, showcasing Asian Games medals and offering a '35-second Fitness Challenge.' Now TV broadcasts major sporting events on large screens. New zones from Turkiye and Korea debut, with Turkiye Attractions offering mosaic lamps and Turkish sand coffee, and Korea Attractions highlighting lifestyle and pop culture. Thailand Attractions returns with a larger scale, offering free authentic Thai massage sessions from 15 to 18 July.
The World of Snacks brings over 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries, organized into six zones. Highlights include locally handmade nut butter ice cream from The Nutter Company, healthy snacks from Azure Asia, and traditional pastries from TimeTo Gold, a social enterprise promoting elderly employment. Interactive activities include a black sesame roll making demonstration and a Junior Sommelier Workshop.
The events are open daily from 10am, with varying closing times, and tickets are available at HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with concessions for tourists and persons with disabilities. For more details, visit the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo website and the World of Snacks website.
