Themed "Scent of Books, Scenes of Hong Kong", the 7th Hong Kong Literature Festival invites the public to sample and relish the scent of books and scenes of Hong Kong with its rich variety of programmes which mirror the unique lifestyle, people and sentiments of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department collaborate for its fourth time in presenting the Hong Kong Literature Festival with an aim to promote literary reading and writing. Running from 27 June to 14 July, the Festival features over 40 activities under 10 thematic programmes including Symposium, Interflow, Performance, Literary Walk and Talk, the Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature Winners' Talks, Dialogue with Creators, Guided Reading Club, Thematic Exhibition and seminars on film. The ADC will host the "Symposium", "Interflow" and "Performances".

Symposium is a key feature of the Festival which gathers scholars and writers from Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong to share their thoughts and insights with literature lovers. In the first symposium, "Capsule Hong Kong: Reminiscences and Imagination", Professor Chu Yiu-wai, Stephen, Professor Wu Yin-ching and Mr Ma Kwok-ming will unveil a multi-faceted literature deeply rooted in the art and culture of Hong Kong, and looking ahead to its future. Professor Cheung Wing-mui will be the respondent while Mr Tang Wing-hung (Gu Song) will be the moderator.

Architecture and literature are intricately interwoven into the fabric of a city. In the second symposium "Among Cities' Space: Architecture and Literature", Taiwanese architect and writer, Professor Roan Ching-yueh and Professor Wang An-yi from Shanghai, will join Dr. Chan Chi-tak to examine the distinct cityscape, architecture and literary identities of different cities. Respondent is Professor Huang Zi-ping and Mr Hon Man-po, Chairman of Literary Arts Groups of ADC, will be the moderator.

The third symposium "Hong Kong Literature in the Eyes of Young Writers" will feature three emerging writers Ms Tse Hiu-hung, Dorothy, Mr Lawrence Pun and Mr Liao Wei-tang who will share their thoughts and personal reflections on Hong Kong Literature. Dr Wong Chung-ming will be the respondent and Dr Cheung Ping-kuen will host the symposium.

Literature is as much for reading as for sharing. "Interflow" comprises a variety of interactive workshops which encourage participants to discover the joy of reading and to embrace literature as an integral part of everyday life. Activities include "Literature Conquers TV" which explore the potential of promoting literature in television programmes, "Tastes of Literature: A Children's Workshop", "Live Art Workshop on Hong Kong Literature" which engage participants in performance art and "Prose Poem Recital Interflow".

In "Performances", six arts groups will take the audience on a journey of the senses through a variety of performing arts adaptations of contemporary literary texts. Performances ranging from drama, puppet play, dance, recital to performance art will exemplify the essence of literary works in its unique language.

All activities will be conducted in Cantonese unless specified and are free of charge. For programme details, please visit the Festival website at http://www.hklf.org.hk. For enquiries, please call 2820-1032.