Go! Illustrators Finale Celebrates Emerging Hong Kong Picture Book Talent at International Book Fair

Finale and masterclass of second edition of Go! Illustrators - Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme sponsored by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency held

Sponsored by theCultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the finale and masterclass of the second edition of Go! Illustrators - Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme (Go! Illustrators) was held today (January 13) to recognise the fruitful results achieved by the participating local emerging picture book illustrators.

Speaking at the finale today, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, remarked that the first and second editions of Go! Illustrators have nurtured a total of 16 emerging illustrators who received over 25 nominations and awards in international illustration or picture book competitions. This proved that the ability of local emerging illustrators and the quality of their creations are competitive with their international counterparts outside Hong Kong.

The scheme aims to support local emerging illustrators to attend large-scale international book fairs, partake in international illustration competitions and create new silent books (picture books with no text). Organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, the second edition of Go! Illustrators provided resources and mentoring for the eight selected local emerging illustrators, and sponsored them to attend the Bologna Children's Book Fair held in Italy, the Beijing International Book Fair and the China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair in 2025 to broaden their international exposure and explore external markets. The illustrators were also supported to compete in 13 international illustration or picture book competitions, and each publish a silent book with a view to enhancing their international visibility and enriching their portfolios.

For further details of Go! Illustrators, please visit www.goillustrators.hk.

Finale and masterclass of second edition of Go! Illustrators - Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme sponsored by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Finale and masterclass of second edition of Go! Illustrators - Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme sponsored by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Follow-up on fire on artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau

A fire broke out at the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (I.PARK1) located on an artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau at 12.40pm today (October 26). In the incident, a staff felt unwell and was sent to the hospital. All construction workers and operational staff were evacuated smoothly. I.PARK1 has temporarily suspended waste reception.

Preliminary information indicated that the fire originated at the roof of the main incinerator building's third incineration module area. After the fire broke out, the contractor of the facility took immediate actions according to its emergency response protocol, including reporting to the Fire Services Department (FSD), deploying trained designated response members to control the fire, evacuating about 970 construction workers and operational staff working on the island in an orderly manner, and suspending the operation of all critical systems of the facility.

The fire was largely put out at about 4.45pm by firefighters on scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has instructed the contractor to submit a report on the fire incident within seven days and will work with the FSD to investigate the cause of fire. The EPD will also evaluate the damage and urge the contractor to conduct repairs as soon as possible.

The EPD is reviewing the impact of the fire on the facility's operation and will maintain close communication with the industry on the operational arrangements. Meanwhile, the EPD has arranged to extend the operating hours of the Department's West New Territories Landfill Extension to maintain the normal operation of the city's overall waste management system.

Source: AI-found images