The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo, and the 6th World of Snacks all opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, running concurrently for seven days from July 15 to 21. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the three events offer visitors a single-ticket experience combining reading, sports, leisure, and international snacks. An opening ceremony featured Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR, and HKTDC Chairman Professor Frederick Ma, who highlighted the Book Fair's role in cultural exchange and the synergy of the three fairs.
The Book Fair, themed 'Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,' hosts eight seminar series with authors and scholars from around the globe. Notable speakers include Cheng Po-hung on Hong Kong's tourism history (July 15), Su Tong on literature and life (July 17), Liu Zhenyun on literary storytelling (July 18), and Bi Feiyu on fiction writing (July 19). The English and International Reading Seminar Series features British poet Luke Kennard (July 16), Swedish fantasy novelist Kristina Dowling (July 18), and a new ASEAN Literary Festival with Indonesian author Eka Kurniawan and Singaporean author Clarissa Goenawan (July 18). The World of Art & Culture exhibition, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, showcases travel literature and features over 200 books and 35 events.
The Sports and Leisure Expo celebrates the Hong Kong Sports Institute's 35th anniversary with a themed exhibition of Asian Games medals and a '35-second Fitness Challenge.' Now TV will broadcast major sporting events on large screens. New this year are Turkiye and Korea pavilions showcasing cultural arts, while Thailand returns with an expanded presence offering complimentary Thai massages. Athlete sharing sessions include basketball coach Leung Chun-hung and rope skipping champion Wong Tin-yau, while a bodybuilding preview performance is scheduled for July 18.
The World of Snacks brings over 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries across six themed zones. Exhibitors include The Nutter Company with locally made nut butter ice cream, Azure Asia with additive-free snacks, and TimeTo Gold with traditional pastries made by senior women. Interactive activities include a black sesame roll demonstration (July 16) and a Junior Sommelier Workshop (July 17).
The three fairs together attract over 770 exhibitors, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a cultural and tourism hub. Admission is HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with special morning tickets at HK$10 and a Super Pass for unlimited entry at HK$88. Tourists can purchase concession tickets for HK$20 with valid travel documents. More information is available at the Sports and Leisure Expo website and the World of Snacks website.
