Bologna Children's Book Fair
Hong Kong Pavilion at 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair
Jointly organised by The Hong Kong Printers Association and Hong Kong Publishing Federation, with sponsorship from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the 'Soaring Creativity –Hong Kong Pavilion' project aims to showcase the creativity and achievements of Hong Kong's publishing and printing industries to the world. To support the expansion of Hong Kong’s children’s and parent-children’s books into overseas markets, the 'Soaring Creativity – O2O Hong Kong Pavilion 2025' (the 'Soaring Creativity' project) will participate in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair on 31 March to 3 April 2025, with the theme 'Hong Kong: Our Narrative' and the sub-theme 'Joy to Read! Love to Read!'. The participation in the 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair will once again feature both online and offline 'Hong Kong Pavilion', with designated exhibition areas including the 'Industrial Zone', 'Corporate Zone', 'Recognition & Achievement Zone', and 'Networking Zone' to showcase Hong Kong's outstanding publications, print works, and multimedia applications. In addition, the emerging Hong Kong picture book illustrators admitted to the 2nd Go! Illustrators – Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme will display their works and conduct workshops in the ‘Hong Kong Pavilion’. The enhanced 'Hong Kong Pavilion' will enable Hong Kong publishers, printers and picture book illustrators to connect with their counterparts and readers around the globe, beyond geographical, time and sectoral boundaries. It will further help Hong Kong’s publishing and printing industry develop overseas markets and seize business opportunities.

Date: 2025-03-31 to 2025-04-03

Venue: Piazza Costituzione, 6, Bologna, Italy

2025 BCBF Hong Kong Pavilion - “Our Pandas - Conservation Story of Ocean Park Hong Kong” Sharing Session
  • Venue:
    Hall 29, B2 & C1, Bologna Fiere, 6 Piazza Costituzione, Bologna, Italy
  • Kicking off the first cultural event at the “Hong Kong Pavilion” at the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025 on March 31 (Italy time)! Matt Leung, Assistant Curator of Zoological Operations at Ocean Park Hong Kong, led an inspiring and heartfelt session on “Our Pandas – The Conservation Story of Ocean Park Hong Kong”. The session was a huge hit, packed with visitors who were captivated by his inspiring conservation story! As an Assistant Curator at Ocean Park Hong Kong specializing in giant pandas, Matt Leung has dedicated over 14 years to working with this remarkable species. He has hands-on experience working with different animal species and a deep understanding of animal training principles like operant conditioning and extensive expertise in giant panda husbandry. His responsibilities at Ocean Park Hong Kong include ensuring the well-being of the pandas and raising public awareness about conservation. During the sharing session, Matt mentioned that in Hong Kong, giant pandas are more than just a popular animal icon, they represent Ocean Park Hong Kong's longstanding commitment to animal care, conservation, and education. At Ocean Park Hong Kong, visitors get to enjoy watching these incredible creatures while learning about their unique stories in Hong Kong and the park’s work to protect their natural habitats. Through its world-class animal care, Ocean Park Hong Kong brings joy to its visitors but more importantly advances its dedication to animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and scientific research. The story of giant pandas in Hong Kong will hopefully raise awareness about protecting nature and inspired people to carry this important mission forward to future generations. This sharing session highlighted the expertise in conservation at Ocean Park Hong Kong, adding profound cultural and educational value to the first day of the “Soaring Creativity – Hong Kong Pavilion 2025”.
“Hong Kong Pavilion” at the 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair - Launch Cocktail Party
  • Venue:
    Hall 29, B2 & C1, Bologna Fiere, 6 Piazza Costituzione, Bologna, Italy
  • The Launch Cocktail Party of the “Hong Kong Pavilion” at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) 2025 was held on the first day of the book fair, March 31, 2025, with Mrs. Lowell Cho, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Ms. Fiona Li, Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, and Mr. Chen Pengming, Head of the Chinese Delegation to BCBF and Ms. Francesca Puglisi, Director of Communication and Institutional Relations of BCBF, as the officiating guests. They were joined by Mr. Matthew Yum, Chairman of the "Soaring Creativity – Hong Kong Pavilion 2025" Organizing Committee, Mr. Alex Yan, Chairman of the "Hong Kong Pavilion" at the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025, and Mr. Sheng Zhou, Committee Member of the "Soaring Creativity – Hong Kong Pavilion 2025" Organizing Committee. Together, they lit up a lightbox representing Hong Kong's culture and creativity, kicking off the "Hong Kong Pavilion” at BCBF 2025. Mr. Matthew Yum, Chairman of the “Soaring Creativity - Hong Kong Pavilion 2025” Organizing Committee, expressed his gratitude to the Sponsor, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) for its long-standing support. He also thanked the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels and Ocean Park Hong Kong for their support. Additionally, he expressed his thanks to all the exhibiting Hong Kong publishers and printers who contributed to making this year’s Hong Kong Pavilion a success. The launch cocktail party also marked the launching in Europe of the eight silent books published under the CCIDA-sponsored Hong Kong Picture Book Publishing Support Programme. Mr. David Leung, 1st Vice President of Innovative Entrepreneur Association, the organiser of the support programme, and the Hong Kong picture book illustrators concerned joined the launch ceremony. Additionally, to extend the cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Italy beyond the Bologna Children's Book Fair, the “Soaring Creativity – Hong Kong Pavilion” project will donate selected exhibits of the “Hong Kong Pavilion” to the University for Foreigners of Siena after the fair is concluded. A book donation ceremony was held during the Launch Cocktail Party, with Professor Lee Ruoying, representing the University for Foreigners of Siena, accepting the donation.
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