This was the eighth consecutive year that the ADC collaborated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) to organise a wide range of fringe activities around the Hong Kong Book Fair. The spirit of this year's theme, "Reading—Your Passage to the World", was best conveyed by the presence of a number of internationally renowned authors and participants in the "Critics' Recommendation" and "Renowned Writers Series". The book fair has proven to be the premier showcase for ADC-sponsored publications and a rewarding educational experience of the arts and lifelong reading.

The ADC booth displayed a wide variety of creative works with an inspirational theme. "Live with arts" is emblematic of the vision of bringing arts to life and leading a truly colourful and fulfilling life powered by creativity and imagination. Jackman's work Life Stage was the focal point of the booth to express the theme. Life Stage won the illustrator Jackman first place in the "Creative Train Design Competition" held to tie in with Art Unlimited III, a TV series jointly produced by the ADC and Radio Television Hong Kong.

A mini stage was set up in the ADC booth to allow visitors to experience arts from zero distance. The 19 performances, demonstrations and workshops held by nine arts groups and arts practitioners made up an eclectic mix of cultural entertainment. They included the Hong Kong Harmonica Association, The Hong Kong Bamboo Flute Society, Wong Yik-hung, Art Home, Pai Yeo Theatre, Wong Fai, literary magazine Platform and Koko Workshop. To emphasise arts criticism and current issues on the local arts scene, monthly magazine C for Culture hosted a panel of speakers to examine issues on the theme of "Art and Therapy", topics that were evidently close to the hearts of the audience.

For the eighth year the ADC and the TDC collaborated in organising the immensely popular "Critics' Recommendations". The ADC Book Fair Selection Panel, comprising Hon Man-po, Prof Chang Song-hing, Prof Tang Chiu-Kay, Dr Chan Wai-ying, Lin Man-suk, Chiu Hung, Dr Wong Chung-ming and Wong Tung-to, based their choice of books on the excellence of writing, content, mode of publication, subject matter and creative approach. Criticisms and commentaries on the 40 shortlisted entries were penned by a panel of 27 renowned literati-scholars and then compiled into a booklet that was distributed free of charge at the fair. To learn more about local literary gems released earlier this year and the 40 reviews written by acclaimed critics, please log onto the Book Fair website at http://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/chi/newsletter/suggest2008.htm (in Chinese only).

Three acclaimed Chinese authors and scholars gathered at the fair on 26 July to share their experiences as participants in the "International Writing Program" at the University of Iowa. Professor Zhao Zhen-kai (a.k.a. Bei Dao), joined the programme in 1988. He was joined by fellow alumnus and recent returnee Lawrence Pun together with Professor Chung Ling, initiator of the International Writing Workshop at the Hong Kong Baptist University. The three panelists tried to identify major issues and offer in-depth views on ways to establish dialogue and facilitate mutual assimilation between Chinese and Western literature. The discussion was enriched by thoughtful questions and observations from the audience.

Photos from the Hong Kong Book Fair 2008

Two bookshelves double as a three-dimensional showcase for the winner in the Open Division of the Mobile Art Gallery 2008 competition.		Young members of the Hong Kong Harmonica Association take the stage to demonstrate their musical virtuosity.
The magic flutes of the Hong Kong Bamboo Flute Society mesmerise the audience.		Art Home's mask mime drama, Quarrel.
Hong Kong Puppet And Shadow Art Center told the whimsical story of The Little Rock-monkey of Mount Yao.		The masterminds behind the literary magazine Platform perform at the mini concert of new poetry.
C for Culture hosts a panel discussion to examine issues on the theme of "Art and Therapy".		The 40 shortlisted books and the collection of criticisms on display at the fair.
(From left) Prof Zhang Shuangqing, session host, and speakers Professor Zhao Zhenkai (a.k.a. Bei Dao), Prof Chung Ling and Lawrence Pun attended Renowned Writers Series.		The audience is allured by tiers of books.