Editorial | Hong Kong book fair’s success a significant step on the road to normality
- Almost 1 million people attended the event, a welcome return to pre-pandemic levels. And the fair also provided compelling evidence that enthusiasm for printed works still exists in the digital age
The death of the printed book has long been predicted, in an age of reading material mostly taking the form of social media posts, especially for the young. But the joy of reading books remains alive and well, at least if the Hong Kong Book Fair is a guide.
The seven-day annual event, one of the largest of its kind in the world, ended this week. It was the first to be held since the reopening of borders.
Almost 1 million people attended, marking a welcome return to pre-pandemic levels, with 10 per cent of them tourists. The sight of several hundred book lovers queuing early in the morning on the opening day was encouraging.
A survey commissioned by organisers, the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council, suggested average spending of HK$872 (US$111.80) among attendees, which for many represented the bulk of their annual expenditure on books.
The event made a significant contribution to Hong Kong’s return to normality. There were 780 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions at the book fair and sister sports and snack events.
Authors from mainland China and overseas combined with local writers for talks, seminars and cultural events, some of which were oversubscribed.
