On August 22nd, the five-day-long 2023 South China Book Festival closed. This year's Book Festival brought books from different countries and cities around the world, and also used high technology to bring readers a different reading experience, showing the vitality of the cultural consumption market. Let's take a look at the highlights of 2023 South China Book Festival:
The largest-ever scale
The 2023 South China Book Festival was the largest one in the history of the Festival. It had an increase of more than 30% in passenger flow compared with 2022 at the main and subsidiary venues and nearly 45 million views on the live-streaming platform Douyin. It set new records in the area of the exhibition and the number of exhibitors-- the total area of the exhibition area increased to 1,121,400 square meters (40,000 square meters in the main venue); there were 39 exhibition pavilions; over 1,000 companies engaged in the exhibition. In addition, it also set up 535 municipal subsidiary venues and 73 rural ones across the Guangdong province.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Most cultural creative products
The festival has made efforts to improve the quality of books and supplied over 300, 000 varieties of cultural creative products. The Theme Pavilion provided 100 types of books to meet different readers. Not only that, the Brands Pavilion introduced more than 20 well-known publishing companies, displaying over 3,200 bestsellers, new books, and classic books signed by the author of every brand. In addition, pavilions from different cities in China and around the world, like the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Pavilion, the Fujian pavilion, the Spain Pavilion, and the International Pavilion, brought opportunities to experience different cultures for citizens participating in the Book Festival.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Most events are held
More than 440 famous experts including Chen Luyu, Chen Pingyuan, Bai Yansong, Fu Peirong, Dai Jianye, Wang Liqun were invited to give lectures or exchange activities at the Book Fragrant Festival. Over 2000 events were held at the main and subsidiary venues across the province, including lectures, book releases, awards ceremonies, themed exhibitions, which function not only as the reading guide but also as the promoter of the public’s brainstorming.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Biggest discount for the public
This year's festival had many activities to benefit the public, amounting to a 13-million-RMB-worth of discounts. During the festival, a 25% discount was available at the main venue; a lucky draw free of charge was held every day. On the last day, there was a promotion of 70% off, and some books in the Special Sale Pavilion even had 90% off.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
The combination of online and offline displaying
The festival launched the most fantastic activities by novelty and type, covering the online and offline platforms. It highlighted digital empowerment and the integration of culture and tourism. The Technology Integration Pavilion had over 10 digital publishing companies, like Alibaba Literature and WeRead, and hosted events like Robot World Cup by using 3D dynamic technology and VR panoramic techniques. The Culture and Tourism Integration Pavilion is devoted to showcasing intangible cultural heritage techniques, like Guangzhou olive carving, guqin making, and woodblock New Year painting, and tourism highlights, such as impromptu drama performances and folk-art exhibitions.
The 2023 South China Book Festival has come to an end, but the public’s fondness for books and reading continues. Looking forward to next year’s book festival!
Author | Alice, Lina (intern)
Editor | Olivia, Nan, Will, Jerry
