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The colourful Hong Kong Pavilion is back at the Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF) in Italy this year, with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels). More than 1 000 outstanding publications, electronic publications and print items from 45 Hong Kong exhibitors are on display to demonstrate Hong Kong's state-of-the-art printing technologies and competitive edge in publishing to overseas buyers and worldwide readers.
This is the third presence of a Hong Kong Pavilion at the BCBF, which is being held this year from April 4 to 7. Under the theme "Bringing Creativity to Life", it presents the creative achievements of Hong Kong publishing and printing industries.
One of this year's highlights is a dedicated area for Award Winning Works, which is displaying more than 60 award-winning publications and print items. Another is a Special Pop-Up Book Area presenting more than 30 selected pop-up books from Hong Kong, highlighting various illustration and pop-up techniques as well as providing an overview of the extraordinary skills and artistry of Hong Kong printers in this area.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association with the support from HKETO, Brussels, the Hong Kong Pavilion at the BCBF 2016 is part of the Soaring Creativity - Hong Kong Pavilion 2015-16 project, which is sponsored by Create Hong Kong. Before going to Bologna, the project staged the Hong Kong Pavilion at two other major international book exhibitions, namely the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Taipei International Book Exhibition.
The Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Alice Choi, officiated at the opening on April 4, together with the Exhibition Director of the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2016, Mr Marco Momoli. Guests could once again sample freshly made Hong Kong-style milk tea, one of the inventory items of intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong, which met with great success when it was introduced to the fair last year. For the first time, they could also try Hong Kong-style egg waffles. The Hong Kong-style milk tea and waffles are being served throughout the book fair to offer readers a real taste of Hong Kong.
After the fair, all of the Hong Kong publications will be donated to the University for Foreigners of Siena to promote cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Italy. The University for Foreigners of Siena is a public university specialising in the study of Italian language and culture as well as intercultural contact and foreign languages.
Ends/Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:35
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