Publishers Caught In A Bind Over Book Fair Plan

A local publisher said on Friday that many publishers are having second thoughts about joining the postponed book fair due to the uncertainties linked to the pandemic situation.

Only around 140 exhibitors had signed up – compared to more than 600 in previous years – after the book fair organisers said they planned to hold the event in December.

The event was scheduled for July but postponed to December 16 to 22 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The cancellation of the event in July came after many publishers had moved their books to the Wan Chai convention centre.

Jimmy Pang, a spokesperson for the 2020 Hong Kong Book Fair Concern Group, said booksellers are in a dilemma over whether to sign up for the event again or not.

He said while they want to take part, this is risky as the event might be cancelled again if there’s another Covid-19 outbreak.

Pang told an RTHK programme that even if the event goes ahead in December, it could turn out to be a “desolate” affair due to the coronavirus risks and the poor economy.

He said he expected the number of visitors to drop up to 40 per cent if the book fair is held in December instead of during the summer holidays.

He also expected people’s spending power to weaken in a few months time as some people are losing their jobs.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, which organises the fair, have said they will make a final decision on holding the event by mid-November to assess the pandemic situation.