Hong Kong Central Library | Art Central 2026 Hong Kong International Literary Festival and Young Readers Festival Celebrating 25th Anniversary

Description

Hong Kong International Literary Festival (Hong Kong International Literary Festival) and Young Readers Festival (Young Readers Festival) coincides with the 25th anniversary of the silver jubilee this year. From March to March, local and international top and emerging writers will gather to present more than 60 literary events, allowing writers and Readers have the opportunity to interact in depth, share their insights and love for literature, make friends with books, and promote the fun of the literary world.

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival will be held from March 1st to 8th at different venues in Hong Kong, including the Central Library, the Asia Society, the Fringe Club, the China Club, and the private club Soho House. The event includes literary lunches, workshops, illustration exhibitions, and cultural walks. It also cooperates with Hong Kong Baptist University to invite writers from the International Writers Workshop to give lectures, catering to book lovers of all ages. The main visual design of this year's festival is created by renowned local artist Guan Shuwen, and the inspiration comes from the neon lights full of local characteristics, symbolizing the fascinating stories brought to book lovers under the brilliant city lights.

The Young Readers Festival spans two weeks, from March 2nd to 6th, featuring sharing by internationally renowned writers; and from March 9th to 13th, local writers will lead students into the world of literature.

The immersive cultural events of the Literary Festival extend to the heart of the city, allowing readers to explore Hong Kong in depth. The highlight activities include a mural walk with artist Alexandra Unrein, a Central walk led by Wong Sau-mei from Hong Kong Print Studio, a Hong Kong pop culture quiz night hosted by Hong Kong writer and cultural critic Li Zhaoxing (Bono Lee), and a poetry event by Hong Kong poetry group Peel Street Poetry and OutLoudHK.

 Argentine-American writer Hernán Diaz brought his Pulitzer Prize-winning 2023 masterpiece, Trust, to the festival. The story revolves around a mysterious financier and his wife in New York in 1920, gradually unraveling the American capitalist myth and leading readers to a deep analysis of truth and power. The story is a metaphor for the world, with bold and delicate descriptions and exquisite structure. It was praised by The New York Times as "exciting" and was selected as one of the 100 best books of the 21st century. It was also former US President Barack Obama's favorite book of 2022.

 Bestselling author Juan Yan will bring his first book, I Delivered Express in Beijing. During the lockdown in China, his essays about work experiences gained a lot of attention online, making him an emerging literary writer. His works are profound and sensitive in their use of words. The book narrates his personal experiences and mental journey over 20 years in China's unstable "gig economy" and his life and work in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Shanghai, Beijing and other places. His sincere writing makes for an unforgettable read.

He has held 19 different jobs, including a bicycle salesman in Shanghai's "996" work system, a night shift logistics worker in Guangdong, a security guard, and a gas station attendant. He deeply feels the harsh life and financial difficulties faced by millions of blue-collar workers. The realistic narrative style reveals the cruel reality of the working class: "Every minute is money." He avoids eating lunch and drinking water to reduce toilet breaks. His experiences are thought-provoking and reflect on the connection of human relationships and Chinese consumer culture in the development of China's digital economy.

 Renowned writer and athlete Arshay Cooper is known for his books A Most Beautiful Thing and Let Me Be Real With You: Inspiring Stories of Hope, Grit, and Redemption. At this literary festival, he will have a wonderful dialogue with writer Bonnie Tsui (author of On Muscle and Why We Swim) on the theme of "The Science and Soul of Strength".

Arshay will share how rowing helps build resilience, shape interpersonal relationships, and influence social change. As a swimming champion, Bonnie focuses on exercise science and human muscle structure, exploring the attraction and importance of water to humans. The two will delve into how water activities and other sports shape identity, promote a sense of belonging, and strengthen the body and mind. The talk is perfect for sports-loving readers who want to learn more about sports stories and knowledge and explore how the body and water currents drive people to explore.

Three emerging writers focused on online culture: Canadian Chinese writer ZHANG LIan (Liann Zhang), Chinese-Australian writer Lu Junxiang (Siang Lu), and Australian local writer Liam Pieper will hold a symposium on March 7th (Saturday) In the afternoon, the "Fame, Fiction, and the Age of Online Judgment" will explore celebrity culture and "cancellation culture" in an era where every mistake can make headlines and every opinion can spark a storm. In the dialogue, ZHANG LIan will also share the creation process of her debut work, Julie Chan Is Dead, a dark suspenseful analysis of the pressure women face in the public eye and a shocking accusation of being criticized, boycotted, or distorted. reputation.

 Liam Pieper's creation, Appreciation, full of black humor, depicts the absurd adventures of the art world with a spicy pen, sharply criticizing the hypocrisy of the global art market and exploring how praise can turn into curses overnight. Lu Junxiang won Australia's highest literary award, the Miles Franklin Award, with his novel Ghost Cities. The work delves into internet addiction, influencer culture, and the surreal life where online perception is more real than reality. The three writers will jointly deconstruct the wonders, criticisms, and fragile truths of the online world through their works.

One of the world's most influential writers, Amitav Ghosh, will attend this literary festival to hold a symposium. His creations cover a wide range of fields, including history, literature, and climate change, showcasing a rich and diverse novel style, and his works have been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. This time, he will focus on his latest work, Ghost Eye, which cleverly blends history, suspense, and supernatural elements, using his signature humor and imagination to bring readers into 1960s India.

Amitav's works have been translated into more than 30 languages, and he is the first English writer to receive the Indian Literary Award "Jnanpith Award", and he also won the 2024 Literary Award "Erasmus Prize". The audience will have the opportunity to understand the master writer's profound reflections on his groundbreaking works, which is a rare opportunity.

 For readers who yearn for a deep conversation about the meaning of life and existence, a literary luncheon with senior journalist Marga Ortigas is a must-attend event. Marga, who calls herself an "unprepared Generation X", will discuss her work, WTF?! Woman Turning Fifty, a collection of essays that explores the intricate relationship between social expectations, self-realization, and midlife awakening through a series of sharp and personalized "postcards".

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival will also hold a literary breakfast with the popular creator @symmetrybreakfast Michael Zee, inviting readers who love slow mornings, art, and gourmet food to enjoy traditional Cantonese dim sum while listening to Michael's sharing.

Michael traveled across China in search of the best breakfast delicacies and wrote Zao Fan: Breakfast of China, winning the 2025 "Food and Drinks Awards - The Cookery Book" from Fortnum & Mason, the British royal family's designated tea brand. It is not only a cookbook but also a spiritual book that invites readers to relive delicious memories at home, showing how breakfast has become a way of expressing care in daily life, prompting participants to rethink the meaning of breakfast.

In addition, the Hong Kong International Literary Festival is also honored to invite internationally renowned and emerging writers to share with readers, including internationally renowned novelist and author of The South, Tash Aw; British writer Susan Barker, who won the 2020 "Northern Writers' Award for Fiction" with her novel Old Soul; Felicia Low-Jimenez, a bestselling Singaporean young adult novelist; Ho Yeon Kim, author of the million-selling South Korean novel The Inconvenience Store; and Thammika Songkaeo, author of Stamford Hospital, and more.

Young Readers Festival

The Young Readers Festival will be held from March 2nd to 13th, featuring interactive lectures and workshops for Hong Kong students and young people in collaboration with local and international children's book writers, dedicated to promoting reading and creative writing. This year, the Young Readers Festival has invited Dean Stuart, author of Cassi and the House of Memories; Bonnie Pang, author of My Unique Friend; Wesley King, New York Times bestselling author of The Wizenard series; Soyoung Park, author of Snowglobe; AJ Low, the writer team of the bestselling Sherlock Sam series, and 26 other popular speakers, allowing participants to learn in a fun way.

 The event also invited award-winning British children's writer Rashmi Sirdeshpande to interact with young readers. Rashmi, with a legal background, is passionate about empowering through storytelling, and her works blend empathy and keen insights to help young readers explore identity, history, and a sense of belonging.

Her representative work, This Is Who I Am, is a well-loved picture book that tells the story of a girl with an Indian cultural background discovering her diverse self. It fully embodies the concept that personal identity is shaped by many interconnected influences, and it is inspiring. It was also selected as the Best Children's Book of 2025 by The Guardian. Through sincere writing and profound reflection, the book invites children to accept their true selves and their own growth stories.

Hong Kong International Literary Festival Executive Director Laura Mannering said, "Without a literary festival, the city would miss countless stories and opportunities for cultural exchange. The Hong Kong International Literary Festival and the Young Readers Festival have been running for 25 years, and we hope to continue for 25 years and beyond, committed to promoting reading, showcasing the power of words and literature, connecting different communities, and leading readers to explore a wider world. We love to share the vitality of Hong Kong literature with speakers from all over the world, and we firmly believe that every time a book is turned, a pen is taken, it will inspire readers' unique insights, broaden their knowledge, and bring people closer together. "

Attachment (I): Hong Kong Literary Festival 2026 Highlight Events

For the latest event details and schedule, please visit https://www.festival.org.hk.