Book sales and exhibitions, lectures by reputed experts, digital reading experiences, and cultural exchanges are among 30 activities at the Zhuhai session of the 2020 South China Book Festival, which opened Aug 25 and runs to Sept 20.

Five branches of Zhuhai Xinhua Bookstore in Jida, Wanzaisha, Qianshan of Xiangzhou District and Hengqin New Area are showcasing 1.67 million books in a total exhibition area of 11,000 sq m (3 acres). Book shelves are set up under the themes of politics, social sciences, history, literacy, art, children, and Lingnan culture. A 20 percent discount is available for book purchases.

In addition, the bookstore will host lectures titled "Explore the Mystery of the Brain -- Psychologists Teach You How to Achieve High Scores" and the "Past & Present of Violins," hold an essay competition on the theme of "Read a Good Book Together During the Summer Vacation," and stage an collective reading activity Aug 28.

Children at Coast Books [Photo by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]

Coast Books in Tangjiawan will put on literacy creations, an art exhibition, and garbage classification picture book workshop. An Exhibition of Jiang Lili's works "Life & Art, Deconstruction & Reconstruction" is underway at Coast Gallery in the Gree Coast Park Community off North Lovers Avenue through Sept 25 except on Mondays. More than 60 paintings, pottery items, and flowers are displayed.

Coast Books also has bookshelves for the festival primarily catering to primary and secondary students and teenagers, and offers coupons.

Fans of Chinese author Dabing will want to visit Readzone at Huafa Mall in Nanping tonight for an autograph session, and parents with children aged below 8 can take their kids to a reading activity there on Aug 30. A 25 percent price reduction on reference books and stationery is available online at Readzone WeChat store.

All bookstores have contingency plans, earmarked disinfection, body temperature measurement, and quarantine zones, and are stocked with anti-epidemic supplies. In addition to daily disinfection and good air flow, tables and chairs on the activity zones are more than 1 m (3 ft) apart. Readers are required to wear masks and present a health QR code before entry.

An online session of the festival is undertaken by Zhuhai Media Group, which has set up a special page on Guanhai App to promote reading and festival activities.