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The path of growth is full of happiness and challenges, and through reading people can learn from the experiences of others. There may be plenty of confusion and problems along the path due to expectations from family members and schools, as well as social and cultural issues to contend with. These difficulties are usually turning points in one's growth and in helping people to understand themselves more. In a bid to encourage teenagers to read and think more, and also to treat reading as a companion alongside one's personal growth, 19 writers will share the importance of reading in one's growth during the "Meet-the-Authors 2013" programme.
This year's Meet-the-Authors talks, organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be held at various public libraries from March to November.
Under the theme "Walking on the Path of Growth", the talks are divided into three series, namely "The Soul and Me: Growth in Realising Missions and Aspirations", "The Society and Me: Growth in Caring" and "The World and Me: Growth in Holding Truth and Principles". The talks are conducted in Cantonese and admission is free.
Eight talks will be held from March to May, with speakers including engineer Mr Ho Wing-ip; teacher from Christian Zheng Sheng College Ms Leung Po-yi; mass media worker Mr Kwok Yat-ming; writer Mr Lee Yee; the Assignment Director of Phoenix Satellite Television Co, Ms Luqie Lu-mei; the lecturer of the Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University, Mr Mak Shu-kin; reporter Ms Chan Hiu-lui; and prose writer Ms Jewel Tsai.
In the series entitled "The Soul and Me: Growth in Realising Missions and Aspirations", Mr Ho Wing-ip will share on March 16 the experiences and fun of his trip to the Himalayas; Ms Leung Po-yi, who won a Youth Literary Award, will give a talk on March 23 based on her personal experience about how to enhance confidence by facing oneself truly; and Mr Mak Shu-kin, who grew up in Tuen Mun, will talk on May 4 about how to define interests and ability.
Personal growth and happiness are closely related to the development of society. In the series entitled "The Society and Me: Growth in Caring", authors will encourage teenagers to understand and care more about society and boost their caring. On April 13, Mr Kwok Yat-ming will discuss the concept of the "Chinese dream", as brought up by the new-generation leader Mr Xi Jinping, and how Western countries view the rise of Mainland China; and on May 11 Ms Chan Hiu-lui will speak on the sustainable development of Hong Kong.
How can people receive information objectively and also pursue the truth in flourishing networks nowadays? In the series entitled "The World and Me: Growth in Holding Truth and Principles", Mr Lee Yee will explore the past, present and future of reading on April 20 to commemorate the death of American writer Henry David Thoreau 150 years ago; Ms Luqie Lu-mei will share her opinion on Hong Kong and China on April 27; and Ms Jewel Tsai will guide readers to observe social culture through markets and food on May 18.
From September to November, other writers including Quenby and Mr Koo Wing-shun, secondary school teachers Ms Yau Yan-ni and Mr Tsoi Wai-chuen, mass media worker Mr Au Ka-lun, journalist Ms Cheung Chui-yung and others will share their reading experience during 11 different talks.
Programme details (in Chinese) are available at the HKPL website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/mta) or on posters displayed in the libraries. For enquiries and reservation, please call 2921 2660.
Ends/Thursday, March 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:33
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