The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo, and the 6th World of Snacks opened today (15 July) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), running concurrently for seven days until 21 July. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the three events are accessible with one ticket, offering a summer experience that combines reading, sports and leisure, and snacks from around the world.
An opening ceremony was held today, officiated by Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), who delivered the opening address. Professor Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, delivered welcome remarks, emphasizing the Book Fair's role as one of Asia's most influential cultural events and a platform connecting cultures. This year's theme, 'Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,' aims to inspire readers to explore history, culture, and lifestyles of destinations worldwide. The three fairs together attract more than 770 exhibitors, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as an East-meets-west centre for international cultural exchange.
The Hong Kong Book Fair features eight themed seminar series, including the Theme of the Year, Renowned Writers, and English and International Reading. Notable speakers include Cheng Po-hung, Museum Expert Adviser of the Hong Kong Museum of History, who will discuss Hong Kong's century-long history of tourist attractions (15 July); Xu Zidong, a Chinese modern literature scholar (18 July); and Cantonese opera star Law Kar-ying, who will discuss Cantonese opera inheritance (19 July). The Renowned Writers Seminar Series includes Su Tong (17 July), Liu Zhenyun (18 July), and Bi Feiyu (19 July). The English and International Reading Seminar Series presents British poet Luke Kennard (16 July), Swedish fantasy novelist Kristina Dowling (18 July), and the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival with Eka Kurniawan and Clarissa Goenawan (18 July). Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Liu Heung Shing will share stories from his journeys along the Belt and Road (16 July).
The World of Art & Culture exhibition, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, showcases over 200 books and exhibits from around the world, with more than 35 events including seminars and workshops. The Chinese Mainland Publishers section features around 20,000 publications, with Yunnan as the featured province, and the Guangdong Publishing Pavilion includes a 'Qiaopi Cultural Zone' highlighting Chaoshan emigrant heritage. The Cultural and Creative Space includes the Fujian delegation, Hangzhou Pavilion, and Hong Kong exhibitor Tsi Ku Chai.
The Sports and Leisure Expo offers diverse sports experiences, including a themed exhibition by the Hong Kong Sports Institute celebrating its 35th anniversary, showcasing Hong Kong athletes' achievements. Now TV will broadcast major sporting events on multiple large screens. The Travel & Tourism zone welcomes Turkiye and Korea for the first time, alongside returning Thailand attractions. Athlete sharing sessions will feature former Hong Kong basketball player Leung Chun-hung and world rope skipping champion Wong Tin-yau. The Hong Kong China Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness will host a preview performance on 18 July.
The World of Snacks brings together more than 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries and regions, organized into six themed zones. Exhibitors include The Nutter Company, Azure Asia, and TimeTo Gold, a social enterprise promoting elderly employment. Visitors can participate in interactive activities like a black sesame roll making demonstration (16 July) and a Junior Sommelier Workshop (17 July).
Tickets are priced at HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with various concessions available, including morning admission tickets (HK$10) and a Super Pass (HK$88) for unlimited entry. Tourists can purchase concession tickets at HK$20. The events are open daily from 10 am to 10 pm (closing at 5 pm on 21 July). For more information, visit the Hong Kong Book Fair website at www.hkbookfair.com/en and the Sports and Leisure Expo website at https://www.hktdc.com/event/hksportsleisureexpo/en.
