To arouse public interest on reading, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) joins hands again with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to organise a variety of activities including competition and seminar at the Hong Kong Book Fair 2005. This year, the event will be held from 20 to 25 July at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The Critics' Recommendation, in its fifth consecutive year, will invite local renowned critics to comment on books selected by the ADC Book Fair Selection Panel. Based on the quality, content, theme, publication format and creativity, 40 sets of newly published books from more than 300 choices were selected for critics to comment. The commentary will be published for free distribution at the Book Fair.

To foster discussion on Chinese literature, famous scholars and writers are invited to share their views at a seminar entitled “Chinese Literature in the 21st Century” that will be held at 10 am on 23 July in Rm 306 of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre. Speakers include Prof Huang Zi-ping (Hong Kong), Prof Ge Hong-bing (Shanghai), Prof Yu Tien-tsung (Taiwan) and Ms Li Zi-shu (Malaysia). Admission is free. The seminar will be conducted in Putonghua. Simultaneous interpretation of Cantonese is available. For enrolment, please call Ms Lau at 2820 1062 or register at the web site www.bookfair.com.

Also on the activity list is the Reading Write-up Competition for Students. The award presentation ceremony will be held in Rm 201B at 11 am on 21 July. This year, the response is overwhelming with more than 1,000 entries.

The ADC exhibition booth is located at Hall 1, Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre (Booth no.:1A30-34, 1B29-33). Publications of literary arts, dance, film and visual arts, VCD supported by the ADC are available for sale. Performances and workshops such as puppet show and creation of animations are held at the booth for public appreciation and participation.