Reading is so good for you – it takes you off your screen, encourages you to live in the present, entertains and teaches. Often, books can also be an important tool to help you heal from trauma.
Taking place from March 6-12, the Hong Kong International Literary Festival is putting on a number of wellness-themed talks with various authors, with exclusive discounts for therapists and counsellors. Check out the lineup below:
March 10: Healing With Bibliotherapy
Hong Kong-based bibliotherapist Bhakti Mathur introduces bibliotherapy – the use of literature to help navigate psychological, emotional and social issues. Join Bhakti in conversation with Rinkoo Ramchandani to find out more about the healing role of bibliotherapy in mental health for young adults and adults. Get tickets now
March 11: How a Book Helps the Healing: a conversation about loss and grief
Award-winning children’s author Christopher Cheng wrote Bear and Rat in tribute to his late wife. Though it was never intended to be published, the poignant picture book has garnered rave reviews and was awarded a Kirkus star, one of the literary industry’s most coveted prizes. In this panel he talks about how his picture book helped him cope with grief, and what we can all learn from his experience as we face loss in our own lives. Get tickets now
March 12: Talking to Children About Difficult Issues
How can we use literature as a tool to help communicate difficult subjects to children? Join authors Studio Agrafka (pictured), Christopher Cheng and Zenon Sworder for this panel discussion about how their books help children grasp issues such as war, loss and aging. Get tickets now
Discover the full event lineup at festival.org.hk
