The Hong Kong Book Fair that opened last week is the kind of mega event we haven't seen for quite a while.
That is probably why an air of elation marked the opening ceremony, with guests in high spirits even though drinks and snacks were not served.
Apart from this annual show, another talk-of-the-town event this month is, of course, the Olympic Games, which starts on Friday in Tokyo.
I saw Ma Fung-kwok of the Legislative Council's sports, performing arts, culture and publication constituency and tennis buff Herman Hu Shao-ming at the opening of the fair. They gesticulated enthusiastically as they talked about the games, both pinning high hopes on members of the Hong Kong team performing outstandingly well.
I had also heard earlier that Hu had started an English media operation. I asked him about it and he told me it is an online publication called Friday.
Financed by him personally, Friday does not aim to make a profit and will not accept commercial sponsorship. Its objective is to introduce Chinese culture to the world by telling positive stories about the country.
I think such a positioning has great potential as Chinese culture is profound and admired by many people in the West, including its culinary arts.
A key driver of the Friday website is Nury Vittachi, who has been writing in English media platforms for many years.
A versatile writer who excels in humorous and serious styles, Vittachi's columns in The Standard, some on education topics, have a sizable loyal following.
Hu said Friday has been growing satisfactorily since its May launch. It is presently staffed by a few people and plans to expand its content over time.
Hu is himself an avid writer and often pens articles, including newspaper columns.
It is gratifying to see him putting money and effort behind another publication. It shows that those who are keen to run media operations do possess a special charisma.
Siu Sai-wo is publisher of Sing Tao Daily
Herman Hu, left, with Ma Fung-kwok.
