The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo, and the 6th World of Snacks opened today and will run concurrently for seven days from 15 to 21 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the three fairs offer a single-ticket experience that combines reading, sports, and snacks, attracting over 770 exhibitors. The opening ceremony featured Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR, and Professor Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, who highlighted the events' role in reinforcing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West cultural exchange hub.
The Book Fair this year focuses on the theme "Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys," aiming to inspire readers to explore global cultures through literature. Eight seminar series feature authors and scholars such as Su Tong, Liu Zhenyun, and Bi Feiyu, alongside international figures like Eka Kurniawan and Clarissa Goenawan. The English and International Reading Seminar Series includes the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival in collaboration with the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation. The World of Art & Culture exhibition, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, showcases over 200 books and interactive installations themed around travel literature.
The Sports and Leisure Expo features the Hong Kong Sports Institute's 35th anniversary exhibition, highlighting Hong Kong athletes' achievements, and interactive activities like the "35-second Fitness Challenge." Now TV broadcasts major sporting events on multiple large screens. New exhibitors from Turkiye and Korea debut in the Travel & Tourism zone, offering cultural experiences such as mosaic lamps and Korean pop culture. Athlete sharing sessions include former basketball player Leung Chun-hung and rope skipping champion Wong Tin-yau.
The World of Snacks brings over 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries and regions across six themed zones. Exhibitors include The Nutter Company offering handmade nut butter ice cream, Azure Asia showcasing additive-free snacks, and TimeTo Gold featuring traditional pastries made by senior women. Interactive activities such as black sesame roll making and a Junior Sommelier Workshop are scheduled. The fairs run from 10 am to 10 pm on most days, with early bird and re-entry promotions available. Tickets cost HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with concessions for tourists and persons with disabilities.
