Hong Kong Pavilion Shines at Bologna Children's Book Fair, Showcasing Development of Local Talent and Publications

CCIDA leads industry delegation to participate in Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy and sponsors set-up of Hong Kong Pavilion

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF) in Italy, and sponsored the industry's set-up of the Hong Kong Pavilion therein, which showcased more than 1 000 pieces of publications and printed works from over 60 Hong Kong publishers and printers. CCIDA also sponsored emerging picture book illustrators and a comic artist to attend the Fair and exhibit their creations there. The Hong Kong Pavilion attracted around 30 000 visitorsduring its four-day fair period (April 13 to 16, Bologna time).

Speaking at the launch cocktail reception of the Hong Kong Pavilion on April 13 (Bologna time), Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip said that CCIDA has been nurturing Hong Kong illustrators and comic artists through various projects over the years, providing opportunities for them to expand their international visibility and enhance their professional development, thereby bringing Hong Kong picture books and comics onto the global stage. Many of these artists have attained international awards and secured contracts from overseas publishers, demonstrating the strength and appeal of Hong Hong's cultural and creative artists.

The Hong Kong Pavilion was co-organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association. Nine artists participated in the Pavilion's Hong Kong Illustration Zone. The artists come from two CCIDA-sponsored initiatives (namely, the Go! Illustrators - Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme and the Hong Kong Comics Support Programme). One of the artists received a Special Mention Award in the Young Adult Comics category at the BolognaRagazzi Awards, and one was longlisted at the Silent Book Contest this year.

With funding support from CCIDA, these nine artists attended and conducted business meetings with overseas publishers at the BCBF. They also hosted workshops in the Hong Kong Pavilion and had exchanges with publishers, editors and illustrators from all over the world, broadening their international perspectives and helping them explore business opportunities.

In addition, a launch ceremony in Europe of eight new picture books created by illustrators of the last edition of the Go! Illustrators and published under CCIDA's sponorship was also held at the Hong Kong Pavilion.

For more information on the Hong Kong Pavilion at the BCBF, please visit www.bookfairhkpavilion.com.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy, and sponsored the industry’s set-up of the Hong Kong Pavilion therein, which showcased more than 1 000 pieces of publications and printed works from over 60 Hong Kong publishers and printers from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy, and sponsored the industry's set-up of the Hong Kong Pavilion therein, which showcased more than 1 000 pieces of publications and printed works from over 60 Hong Kong publishers and printers from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time). CCIDA also sponsored emerging picture book illustrators and a comic artist to attend the Fair and exhibit their creations there. Photo shows picture book illustrators conducting business meetings with overseas publishers. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy, and sponsored the industry's set-up of the Hong Kong Pavilion therein, which showcased more than 1 000 pieces of publications and printed works from over 60 Hong Kong publishers and printers from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time). CCIDA also sponsored emerging picture book illustrators and a comic artist to attend the Fair and exhibit their creations there. Photo shows Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip (right) having an exchange with an emerging picture book illustrator. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy, and sponsored the industry’s set-up of the Hong Kong Pavilion therein, which showcased more than 1 000 pieces of publications and printed works from over 60 Hong Kong publishers and printers from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time). CCIDA also sponsored emerging picture book illustrators and a comic artist to attend the Fair and exhibit their creations there. Photo shows Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip (fifth left), an industry representative and emerging picture book illustrators attending the Fair. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Beef and beef congee samples found to contain sulphur dioxide

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 6) that two beef samples collected from a licensed food factory in North District were found to contain sulphur dioxide, contravening the provisions on preservative of the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation). The CFS is following up on the incident. The food factory concerned has suspended its business.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to the earlier announcement that a beef congee sample taken from a licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen, was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a follow-up investigation by the CFS revealed that the beef concerned was suspected to be supplied by the licensed food factory mentioned above. The CFS has immediately taken follow-up action and collected beef samples from the relevant food factory for testing. The test results showed that the two beef samples contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 7 700 parts per million (ppm) and 8 300 ppm respectively."

"As instructed by the CFS, the concerned licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen has earlier stopped the sale of the relevant beef congee. The CFS had collected another beef congee sample for follow-up investigation before the restaurant concerned stopped selling the relevant product, and the test result showed that the beef congee sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 540 ppm," the spokesman added.

The CFS has informed the food factory concerned of the irregularities and instructed it to stop the sale of the products concerned and discard relevant raw materials. During an inspection to the food factory concerned, stains were detected in several areas of the premises, and a gap at the door was found. Prosecution was then initiated to the relevant person; and a Notice of Elimination of Vermin was issued under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) Section 47(1), requiring the person-in-charge of the premises to adopt necessary procedures to remove any items causing rodent infestation within specified time frame, failing which prosecution will be instituted.

According to the Regulation, contravening relevant provisions on preservatives is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Prosecution will be instituted for the violation of the Regulation. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images