On August 16th, the "2024 South China Book Festival and Yangcheng Book Fair" opened at Area B of the China Import and Export Fair Complex.

It is reported that the 2024 South China Book Festival features a main venue of approximately 40,000 square meters, with over 70 leading publishers showcasing more than 300,000 types of publications and cultural products. Additionally, there are 521 sub-venues, hosting over 2,000 key events, all setting new historical records.

This year's book festival was truly a gathering of literary greats and prominent figures. On the first day of the fair, renowned authors Mai Jia and Zhou Guoping appeared at the event, drawing a packed house. Many readers had secured their seats well before the start of the session, and the book signing afterward saw long queues.

At the sharing session, Mai Jia explored the theme "Life is a Process of Unveiling Mysteries", offering insights into his writing and personal experiences. "Writing is a physiological need for me. I have dedicated my life to literature, and in return, literature has bestowed upon me dignity," he said.

Zhou Guoping provided an extraordinary philosophical experience with his clear and engaging language. He regarded the appeal of philosophy as twofold: the charisma of the philosopher and the beauty of philosophical ideas, including the deep reflections and innovative approaches each philosopher brings to fundamental questions.

On the opening day, the 2024 South China Book Festival held the "Recommended Books List" event and the release of the Top Ten "Books of the Year: Bookseller's Choice" for the sixth edition. The former announced the "Specially Recommended Books List" along with the "Top Ten Recommended Books List" and the "2024 Annual Recommended Books List in Guangdong", while the latter featured 50 notable books.

Notably, this year's book festival saw long queues at stamp collection stations across various booths, which became popular visitor check-in spots. According to the report, the festival introduced a stamp collection activity this year, featuring 25 free stamp collection stations. Visitors can pick up a stamp booklet at the organizing committee office on the Pearl Promenade and then get it stamped at different booths throughout the festival. At the brand publishing area in Hall 11.2, many people were seen queuing up to collect their stamps. Mr. Liu, who came from Foshan specifically to attend the book fair, mentioned that collecting stamps is not just about entering the lottery. More importantly, it's a great way to make the experience more enjoyable and interactive. "Moreover, by collecting stamps, you can gain a deeper understanding of the key areas and events of the book fair and make a unique memory of the event for yourself."