'Embracing the arts, meandering in the Arts Pavilion.' That was the theme of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council's colourful and audience-friendly booth in the six-day Hong Kong Book Fair that ended on 3 August.

Despite the interval-entry measure adopted by the organisers, the Book Fair this year attracted a record 427,000 entries. The ADC pavilion also registered a record high in the volume of sales. Two blue spaceships on top of the ADC pavilion acted as beacons to lure the visitors to an impressive marquee. This in turn led into a green field for an exciting arts journey on a perfect stage for a wide range of arts programmes, performances and activities that the visitors freely joined and enjoyed.

Audience Participation

Arts practitioners mingled with the visitors, inviting them to try their hand and explore various arts activities. Ms Lee Wai-chun, author of the classic "13-Dot Cartoons," shared her creative experience with the audience.

Spectators were also introduced to the art of using the computer to stage an interactive drama. Directors were happy to demonstrate the creation and development of films by screening movies and explaining the various technical details in informative discussions on the subject.

At a practical level the visitors had a first-hand introduction to traditional arts like xiqu and attending a workshop on lion dance. Not only did these activities provide the audience a closer and deeper understanding of the different art forms, but spectators also had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be directly involved in and to actually participate in the creative process of arts.

Appreciation Zone

An additional platform for arts promotion was the Appreciation Zone, another highlight of this year's book fair. The ADC made full use of this platform by introducing a number of popular and attractive performances. Notable among these were the children's xiqu by the Cultural Link Centre, children's literary theatre by Ms Poon Ming-chu and Ms Poon Kam-ying, the body-movement show by Concealed Life, and singing performances by the Hong Kong Treble Choirs' Association. These served as an engaging and educational alternative to the routing fare provided by the book fair.

Exchange with Authors

Authors, critics and readers came together to share and exchange their reading and writing experiences in Critics' Recommendation, one of the book fair's highlights organised jointly by the ADC and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC).

In the first of two sessions on 2 August, the focus was on the two works of Mr Lee On-fan: In Search of Hong Kong Culture and The Flaneur in The City. With Ms Kitty Poon as convenor, the guests were Mr Lee Ou-fan and critic's Mr Yip Tak-fai, Ms Tsui Ying-lok and Ms Tse Hiu-hung.

The second sharing session on 3 August featured Mr Wong Pok's work. Take My father Back to His Homeland. Guests were Mr Wong Pok, critics Mr Sit Hing-kwok, Ms Chan Hiu-yee and Mr Lam Ho-chiu and convenor Ms Frances Lee.

The sessions provided the audience with an enhanced understanding of the works discussed, a comprehensive appreciation of the creative thought processes of the authors, and how they measured up in the estimation of the critics.

Renowned Authors' Seminar

Last but not least, was the Renowned Authors' Seminar. The ADC and the TDC united well-known authors from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan to share their views on the taboo subject "Love and Passion," the theme of the seminar. The speakers were: Mr Zhang Xian-liang from the Mainland. Mr Quanan from Hong Kong, and Ms Li Ang from Taiwan with Dr Ma Ka-fai as the convenor. The exchanges at the seminar were lively and heated both on and off the stage, much to the delight of some 200 members of the audience.

The close of these programmes marked a fitting finale to the arts joumey at this year's Book Fair. Though it might seem like a hard act to follow, we shall strive to do one better with more exciting activities in the coming year. In this we are counting on your continued encouragement and support in all our future endeavours.