Description

SWIREPROPERTIES 'Book Charity Sale' is hosting a large-scale charity sale of second-hand books for the 13th year. An 8-day physical book sale will be held concurrently at two venues, ArtisTree on 1/F, Cornwall House, Taikoo Place, and 18/F, Berkshire House, from 8 to 11 and 15 to 18 May (Thursday to Sunday), offering over 0.3 million high-quality second-hand books for HK$10 each.

Entering its 13th year, this year's event is themed 'Happiness Starts with Reading' to promote reading culture and convey the healing power of words. In addition to offering a 'Buy 10 Get 2 Free' discount to book lovers, the physical book fair features a range of activities focusing on mental and spiritual well-being, as well as a series of exclusive activities suitable for families, with the hope that the public can find the source of happiness in books.

A range of exciting exclusive activities are offered this year, including:

• DustyHealing Cheer-up Station (Friday lunchtime exclusive): Popular local illustrator Dustykid will make a flash appearance at Taikoo Place on 16 May lunchtime. The event will feature a Dusty AI chatbot for interactive Q&A, allowing participants to voice their inner thoughts and receive spiritual support. A giant Dusty will also be present to cheer for the working crowd, accompanying everyone through a healing afternoon;

• Star Wars Flash Mob (Friday lunchtime exclusive): The 501st Legion Hong Kong Garrison will dispatch its members for a flash mob appearance on 9 May lunchtime, partnering with the band Meta Sound to perform familiar Star Wars music. They will take photos with attendees and distribute limited-edition Star Wars-themed bookmarks;

• Appearance of Junior Shop Managers (Weekend exclusive): 70 little volunteers from the co-organizers have received 'Shop Manager' training and will be on duty to serve customers during the physical book sale. This provides them with an opportunity to experience different types of work and gain valuable work and communication skills at an early age;

• Mother's Day Exclusive Celebration: Coinciding with Mother's Day on 11 May, popular Hong Kong picture book author 'Roadside Stall' has specially designed Mother's Day greeting cards and a limited workshop for the event, inviting families to participate and spread love and warmth through handicrafts;

• 'Interactive Story Theatre' (Weekend exclusive): One of the most popular segments of the event, the 'Interactive Story Theatre' partners with 12 story theatre partners to present 20 captivating Chinese and English story theatre performances, offering 600 places free of charge for children aged 3 to 12;

• Themed Costume Parade (Weekend exclusive): Two 'Book Out Magic' costume parade parties will be held on 11 and 18 May (Sundays), in collaboration with the renowned performing arts education group Hong Kong Little Shakesphere. 150 young readers are invited to dress up as book characters such as Harry Potter, Little Red Riding Hood, Jedi Knights, and princes and princesses, for a magical and imaginative parade at Taikoo Place. The highlights include a costume catwalk, interactive games, best costume awards, and generous gifts, not to be missed!

Other themed activities include:

• Mental, Spiritual, and Physical Well-being Themed Zone and Activities: This year's event features a 'Mental Health and Psychological Encouragement' zone at both venues, selling over 14,000 related books. Readers can share inspirational quotes and blessings from books at the 'Happiness Charging Station' and also experience the 'Half-hour Device Detox' activity for free, challenging themselves to put down their phones and immerse in reading or puzzle games to relax their minds.

• Inclusive Art Creation: The event will partner with the social welfare organization 'Lifewire' to hold a mini exhibition and workshop on traditional Hong Kong-style flower plaques, also displaying a special limited-edition flower plaque for book lovers to take commemorative photos! Lifewire instructors will guide participants in artistic creation, helping them to paint their own unique Hong Kong-style flower plaques and promoting the inheritance of local craft culture and intangible cultural heritage.

• Free Parent-child Activities: The Berkshire House venue will feature a Lego playground for young readers to unleash their creativity.

The 'Book Charity Sale' is sponsored by SWIREPROPERTIES and co-organized by the corporate volunteer team 'SWIREPROPERTIES Ambassadors of Love', the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services, and the Agency for Volunteer Service. The event has been held since 2009 and raised a record-breaking amount of over HK$1.36 million last year.

This year, over 0.32 million second-hand books have been collected, and the recent online children's book sale has sold about 9,000 high-quality second-hand children's books. More than 7,000 volunteers have participated in this edition of the event, and all proceeds will go to support the 'Community Treasure' scheme of the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services and the sustainable development of voluntary services promoted by the Agency for Volunteer Service.