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| Tuesday, 21 June 2016, 17:00 HKT/SGT | |
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Source: HKTDC | |
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| Wilbur Smith, Sarah Howe, Hannah Rothschild to Attend July Event |
HONG KONG, June 21, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - An engaging group of international authors including novelists, historians and journalists will participate in the 27th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair to be held from 20 to 26 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
 | | Sir David Tang |
Historical depth
A regular highlight of the fair is the Open Public Forum moderated by renowned entrepreneur and arts enthusiast Sir David Tang, who this year welcomes historical fiction writer Wilbur Smith, author and journalist Simon Winchester, and writer and filmmaker Hannah Rothschild.
The authors will answer audience questions about their works during the 22 July Open Public Forum exploring the writing process. Mr Smith, known for bestselling novels about South Africa's international entanglements spanning three centuries, has seen several of his more than 35 books developed into films and television shows. As he once said, "I write my books in my head, and not in a specific study with a view. The view is from my inner eyes." His books on Africa are brought to life by his wisdom and understanding of his homeland.
Ms Rothschild, who was born into one of the world's richest families, has pursued arts instead of her family business, traditionally banking. In 2015, she became the first chairlady of the National Gallery in London. In the same year, she published her first novel "The Improbability of Love", inspired by her childhood memories in the National Gallery. The mysterious and romantic story was nominated for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. In addition, she has published a biography, written for major magazines and newspapers and produced documentaries for the BBC and HBO.
Mr Winchester was inspired to become a journalist after reading Jan Morris' Coronation Everest. He has covered major world events, such as the Watergate scandal, Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland and the Falklands war following the invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina in 1982. He ended up in an Argentine prison and the experience inspired his best-seller "Prison Diary". He has contributed to more than a dozen non-fiction books including "Professor and the Madman", which documented the production of the Oxford Dictionary.
Global viewpoints
The Book Fair will also feature seminars with authors including Hong Kong-born award-winning poet Sarah Howe, a fellow at Harvard University's Radcliffe Institute. Invited to the fair under a collaboration between the British Council and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Howe explored her dual British and Chinese heritage in "Loop of Jade", which last year earned a TS Eliot award, the first given to a debut poetry collection since the British prize was launched in 1993.
With great support from the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau, the 2016 fair will also welcome an impressive lineup of international writers, including award-winning French psychologist Elisabeth Brami, who has published more than 100 books and novels often presenting complex issues in a way that appeals to all ages. Also hailing from France is journalist Florence de Changy who will speak about her new book investigating the mysterious disappearance of a Malaysian airliner in 2014. Christine Cappio, who has lived in Hong Kong since 1986 when she moved to the city from France with her husband Professor Stephen Cheung, President of The Education University of Hong Kong, will showcase a book about her experiences.
Other Hong Kong-connected authors include Jane Houng who has published a young adult novel and biography as well as a 2016 collection "Cat Soup and Other Short Stories". Mishi Saran will share her books including a novel "The Other Side of Light", which was shortlisted for the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize, and speak about her current work on a novel set in 1930s Shanghai. Award-winning journalist, writer and Ayurveda clinician Reenita Malhotra Hora, will also share the spirit and wisdom of South Asia. Author Mark O'Neill returns to the fair with a new book exploring the little-known tale of how priceless art from China's palace museums was saved from wartime invaders in the 1940s. Contemporary Chinese history will be on the agenda for a session with Arthur R Kroeber, head of research at a Hong Kong financial-services firm, on his new book "China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know".
Reading the world
More than 550 cultural events will be organised during the week-long Book Fair, including more than 250 under the related citywide Cultural July festival, which comprises seminars and author sessions, cultural tours and activities at book stores, shopping malls, educational institutions, coffee shops and various venues throughout Hong Kong.
The fair itself will host more than 600 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions including newcomers from Chile, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Portugal and Russia. English Avenue returns to the fair with more than 30 exhibitors, including the Commercial Press, Metrobooks and PageOne.
Hong Kong Book Fair 2016 Videos: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBrAaPzPW6Up_Nt0TsnoToP-iI1Daev7O
Websites:
HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair website: http://www.hkbookfair.com
HKTDC 50th anniversary website: http://50.hktdc.com
Photo Download: http://bit.ly/28P8uoU
Media Registration: Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.
To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
Contact:
HKTDC
Communication and Public Affairs Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: HKTDC
Sectors: Trade Shows, Retail & eCommerce, Daily News, Advertising
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