Book Fair Set For December Return

Book lovers craving for a good read now have something to look forward to.

Organisers of the Hong Kong Book Fair, which was called off in July because of the onslaught of the third wave of coronavirus, announced on Tuesday that the event will be held from December 16 to 22 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Trade Development Council (TDC) said a survey of exhibitors showed more than half of the respondents hoped that the book fair can be held before the end of the year, if the epidemic situation allowed.

The TDC said it will conduct an assessment in November on whether the fair should proceed. A final decision will be made on December 9, a week before the scheduled opening.

The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo has also been scheduled for the same time in December.

The TDC said public safety remains its top priority. It said it will notify all stakeholders and exhibitors of any changes to give them enough time to get prepared.

The government has earmarked up to HK$100,000 each in funding for local exhibitors to take part in the book fair. The subsidy is still applicable to the event in December.