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In support of the World Book Day on 23 April, the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) organises the “4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition” in 2027 under the theme of “Carrying Forward Chinese Culture, Building Dreams for the Future” to promote a reading culture.  Through this competition, which integrates reading and creation, children and young people will be encouraged to broaden their reading horizons, gain a full understanding of the country’s development and appreciate the profound heritage of Chinese culture.  By drawing inspiration from reading, they are able to pursue their dreams and achieve a promising future of their own.  The competition closely links personal growth with social development, ensuring that the country’s achievements are sustained while the finest traditions of Chinese culture are passed down from generation to generation.

Entry Requirements

Junior Primary (P1 - P3)

Theme: "Little Hands, Big Dreams"

Draw a picture about your dream under the theme “Little Hands, Big Dreams” with colour pencils. The content can be a scene of your dream coming true or a bold imagination of the future.

Senior Primary (P4 - P6)
Chinese / English

Theme: “Inheritance, Building Dreams”

Write a book report on your own topic under the theme “Inheritance, Building Dreams” and share your thoughts on the book (either printed or electronic) borrowed from a public library in Hong Kong, describing how the stories about the inheritance of Chinese culture in the book (e.g. through historical figures, traditional crafts, intangible cultural heritage or classic literature) have inspired you to build your dreams.

300 - 400 words (including punctuation)

Junior Secondary (S1 - S3)
Chinese / English

Theme: “Pages: Where Dreams Take Flight”

Write in prose on your own topic under the theme “Pages: Where Dreams Take Flight” and share your thoughts on a book (either printed or electronic) borrowed from a public library in Hong Kong, describing how the book has helped you understand Hong Kong’s development (e.g. in terms of technology, society or the economy) and ignited your passion for pursuing your dreams.

 650 - 800 words (including punctuation)

Senior Secondary (S4 - S6)
Chinese / English

Theme: “Finding Joy in Reading”

Write in prose on your own topic under the theme “Shaping the Future” by consolidating your thoughts on more than one piece of reading materials (including at least one printed book or one electronic book borrowed from a public library in Hong Kong) that you have read to explain how these reading materials have deepened your understanding of China’s achievements (e.g. in technological innovation, cultural transmission, economic development or resources development) and inspired you to build resilience, establish sound values or realise potential.

1,000 - 1,200 words (including punctuation)

Awards and Prizes

Junior Primary Category - 25 Outstanding Awards

Senior Primary Category (Chinese) - 15 Outstanding Awards ; Senior Primary Category (English) - 8 Outstanding Awards

Junior Secondary Category (Chinese) - 15 Outstanding Awards ; Junior Secondary Category (English) - 8 Outstanding Awards

Senior Secondary Category (Chinese) - 12 Outstanding Awards ; Senior Secondary Category (English) - 5 Outstanding Awards

Each winner will be awarded a book coupon of HK$500, a medal and a certificate.  A trophy will also be presented to the school of each winner.

Deadline of Submission

By 6 pm on 6 January 2027. (For submission by post, the postmark date will be regarded as the date of submission.  Late submissions or underpaid mail items will not be accepted.  For entries forwarded by email, the date on the forwarded email will be regarded as the date of submission.  Any email sent or forwarded after the deadline will not be accepted.)

Adjudication Panel

To be composed of education workers.

Announcement of Results

The results will be announced in April 2027.  Respective schools of the award winners will be notified individually.  All award winners and their schools will be invited to attend the award presentation ceremony to be held in April 2027.  Winning entries will be displayed in roving exhibitions of Hong Kong Public Libraries from late April onwards.

Enquiries

2921 2660

Office Hours: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays)

Supporting Organisations

Education Bureau, Hong Kong Teacher-Librarians’ Association, Association of Innovative Reading and Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Application Form (Click Here to Download)

400-grid Script Paper (Sample) — for Chinese Entries (Click Here to Download)

In support of the World Book Day on 23 April, the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) organises the “4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition” in 2026 on the theme of “Blissful Moments Between Pages” to promote a reading culture.  Through competition, which integrates reading and creation, we hope to encourage children and young people to expand and deepen their scope of reading to open the door to knowledge, broaden their horizons and enrich their lives.