Asia's largest book fair kicks off in Hong Kong

By Roland Lim, Hong Kong Bureau Chief,Channel NewsAsia

POSTED: 15 Jul 2015 22:18   UPDATED: 15 Jul 2015 22:24



People browse through a variety of books on display at Hong Kong's annual book fair on Jul 15, 2015. (Photo: AFP/Aaron Tam)

      

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HONG KONG: Book-lovers flocked to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre even before the Hong Kong Book Fair opened its doors on Wednesday (Jul 15), hoping to beat the rush and to score on bargains and collectibles.

As in previous years, the fair still packs a political punch. The pro-democracy Occupy movement that kicked off last September and drew tens of thousands to the streets continues to leave its mark on the public's psyche.

"Our best-seller is Martin Lui's book Witness - A Photo Album," said Ivan Cheung, Editor-in-chief of Sun Effort. “Inside his book are more than 300 photos taken during the Umbrella movement period. The photos reflect the ambitions of universal suffrage and freedom of the Hong Kong people."

Even student activist Joshua Wong of the group Scholarism got in on the act. He has written a new book which makes its debut here.

Entitled I'm Not A Kid, the 18-year-old, who has admitted that he was never a top student and is now studying at the Open University, is hoping the book will inspire many to spend more time to learn about local politics and get involved.

"It's about my experience on organising the political reform movement and the Umbrella movement," said Wong.

"From 16-years-old to 18-years-old, to fight democracy and universal suffrage in Hong Kong, how I faced my public exams, the Occupy movement, and the pressures from foreign media that I'm the 10 most influential young person in the world."

Wong was named as one of Time magazine's Most Influential Teens last year, and has previously been arrested and charged for taking part in the civil disobedience movement.

One of the highlights at the fair is the original manuscripts of Louis Cha Leung-yung, the famous wuxia or martial arts novelist. His books include Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Book and the Sword. It is the 60th anniversary of his published works, and his books have gone on to inspire comic books and movie adaptations.

On the international literary scene, biographer Carol Thatcher, daughter of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Booker Prize winner British poet Ben Okri are also headlining.

Last year, the fair attracted more than a million visitors, and organiser Trade Development Council hopes to top that this year.

- CNA/ec

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