The Volia - Special Programme for Publishers from Ukraine and neighboring countries is an intensive training and networking programme for publishers, editors, foreign rights managers and literary agents from Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (the Baltic States are newcomers).
For the fifth edition of the programme, the ‘Special Programme’ is being given a new name: ‘Volia - Special Programme for Publishers from Ukraine and Neighbouring Countries’. The term Volia can be translated as “will” or ‘freedom’; it describes the inner driving force that overcomes all obstacles and thus expresses the essence of the Ukrainian philosophy of life.
The Volia - Special Programme for Publishers from Ukraine and neighboring countries is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, and curated and organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse GmbH in cooperation with International Book Arsenal Festival and Goethe-Institut Ukraine.
Participation requirements are at least two years of professional experience in publishing with a focus on rights and licensing trade and a good command of English. Selected participants must confirm their availability during the whole duration of the programme, all activities on the schedule are mandatory.
Date 2026: Arrival on Sunday 4 October 2026 and end of programme on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
