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Every year, the Hong Kong Book Fair becomes a major event in the city in July. I have the habit of visiting bookstores and I receive newsletters from several Christian publishers. Even though I know the trend of new books and best-selling books, I am keen on going to the Book Fair in person to feel the atmosphere of reading and buying books.
The Book Fair is a roofed book market rather than a place for promoting reading culture. The booths for supplementary exercises and English learning kits are as crowded as in previous years. The majority of parents still lay great pressure on their children. Many people came with suitcases to buy supplementary exercises. On the contrary, only a few customers spent on high quality children books and children novels.
According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the book fair this year attracted a total of 1.04 million visitors, which is the highest ever. However, with reference to the "Christian’s Square" organized by the Association of Christian Publishers, the number of exhibitors and booths has been decreasing year by year, from 60 booths (17 exhibitors) in 2014 to 47 booths (14 exhibitors). In 2006, there were 80 Christian booths. Book fair business is difficult and it is well known. The participation is expensive and it requires a lot of manpower. Some Christian publishers reduced the number of booths and some participated in the form of consignment. After all, the annual book fair is still a business.
As the "Christian’s Square" was shrinking, booths of other religions in the Spirituality Zone were very popular. In addition to the increase in quantity, the quality of decoration was eye-catching. The Buddhist’s Square was especially outstanding as a way of promoting their belief. 15 Buddhist groups participated in the exhibition. Their followers distributed leaflets and souvenirs in the aisles. Parents and children were their targets. I saw some of their volunteer workers being advised to return to their own booths.
We enjoy freedom of belief in Hong Kong. However, what has happened to our long-standing cultural missionary and Christian publishing? Has Christians’ reflection on faith through high-quality reading failed? Are Christians no longer reading? Are there no quality works? Do the Christian publishers lack strategies for doing business? Are the church captivated by virtual on-line media? Has the church given up introducing and promoting text reading to young people? Do pastors read less books now?
Even if the annual Hong Kong Book Fair has become a “Trade Fair” for general writers, or a summer carnival for parents and children, I hope the "Christian’s Square" will continue to promote quality reading culture, provide believers materials for faith reflection, family nurture, ministry tools as well as leisure reading. Book fair can still serve the general public as a window to know the Christian faith.
Next year, I will still go to the Book Fair.
Servant pastor
Rev. Benedict Shum
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