General
Guests of Honour in the years past
A review of previous guest countries at Frankfurter Buchmesse.

An annual literary journey
It all began with Italy. Ever since 1988, our Guests of Honour have been attracting trade and private visitors to Frankfurter Buchmesse. The Guest of Honour is usually a country, but it has also been linguistic regions. Either way, they always enrich Frankfurter Buchmesse with their stories, rich culture and uniqueness.
With a comprehensive cultural programme of readings, awards ceremonies, tastings of typical specialities, exhibitions and performances, the Guest of Honour has a special place every year at the fair and in events throughout the city.
An overview of the Guests of Honour
Norway: "The Dream We Carry"
Georgia: "Made by Characters"
France: "Francfort en français"
Flanders & the Netherlands: "This is what we share"
Indonesia: "17,000 Islands of Imagination"
Finnland: "Finnland. Cool."
Brasil: "A land of voices"
Guest of Honour 2019: Norway
"The Dream We Carry" was Norway’s motto at Frankfurter Buchmesse in 2019. The land of longing, inhabited by the "happiest people in the world", is not only rich in nature, mountains and water. It is a country with a long literary tradition and great stories. Norway invited us on a journey "to an unknown bay" - full of surprising encounters with a rich culture and literature.
Norway - The Dream We Carry

The 2019 Guest of Honour in numbers
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510
new German titles
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100
Norwegian authors
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1120
literary and cultural events
Stories from Europe’s far north

Authors up close
Inspiring encounters with bestselling authors like Karl Ove Knausgård and Jo Nesbø.


Tradition and culture
Exciting insights into the impressive cultural diversity of Norway.

Art, Culture, Creativity

A long list of new releases
From October 2018 to October 2019, 510 new Norwegian titles were published in German.
From October 2018 to October 2019, 510 new Norwegian titles were published in German.
Many of them were presented at the book fair in exciting readings and signing sessions with the authors.
Guest of Honour 2018: Georgia
Under this motto, Georgia, the country in the Caucasus, presented itself as a Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse. The focus of the presentation was on the 33 "characters" of the unique Georgian alphabet and the stories and authors behind it.
Georgia – Made by Characters


New Georgian publications in German
Every year Frankfurter Buchmesse provides a list of new publications (fiction and non-fiction) on the Guest of Honour in German language.
Every year Frankfurter Buchmesse provides a list of new publications (fiction and non-fiction) on the Guest of Honour in German language.
Here you can download the complete list.
Guest of Honour 2017: France
Our Guest of Honour France gave us the chance to get familiar with the rich diversity and sometimes contradictory nature of French-language literature, which is written and read all around the world.
”Francfort en français”


Information about the book market in France
The upward trend in this business segment has been ongoing for a few years now and has led to growth of around 120% within ten years.
The upward trend in this business segment has been ongoing for a few years now and has led to growth of around 120% within ten years.
In 2017, France presented itself under the motto "Francfort en français" / "Frankfurt in French" in the Guest of Honour pavilion of the Frankfurt Book Fair, covering around 2,500 square metres. Thousands of visitors were inspired every day by the varied supporting programme and were able to experience French literature and culture up close.
Guest of Honour 2016: Flanders & the Netherlands
The ocean represents long-standing connections between the Guest of Honour Flanders and the Netherlands and the host country Germany. Visitors to the Guest of Honour Pavilion could stroll through a “literature beach” and discover the treasures of Flemish and Dutch authors: from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and graphic novels.

Exciting insights
... into the literary world of our neighbours.


Two countries
Overcoming boundaries and searching for common ground.


Information about the book market in Flanders & the Netherlands
Within the various exhibition halls, 144 Dutch and Flemish publishers exhibited over an area of 1,612 sqm.
Within the various exhibition halls, 144 Dutch and Flemish publishers exhibited over an area of 1,612 sqm.
The international book exhibition “Books on Flanders & the Netherlands”, organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse and shown in the Guest of Honour pavilion, gathered 750 titles from 180 publishers and 26 countries.
Guest of Honour 2015: Indonesia
The Guest of Honour appearance of Indonesia gave visitors the opportunity to discover the literature, talents and rich culture of one of the world’s most populous countries. The world’s fourth most populous country is influenced by a long oral tradition, expressive lyrics and a rich tradition of prose.
17,000 Islands of Imagination

Amazing variety
Exotic and poetic, traditional and modern, foreign, yet familiar.


Inspiring encounters
An exciting dialogue between Eastern and Western culture.

Information about the book market in Indonesia
The international book exhibition "Books on Indonesia" featured some 850 translations of titles from and to the Indonesian from 180 publishers and 30 countries.
The international book exhibition "Books on Indonesia" featured some 850 translations of titles from and to the Indonesian from 180 publishers and 30 countries.
Indonesian publishers were present at the fair with a 340-square-meter collective stand in Hall 4.0 as well as with events related to children’s books, comic books, art/design, education and gourmet living.
Guest of Honour 2014: Finland
Guest of Honour Finland’s appearance at Frankfurter Buchmesse was surprising, brave, creative, crazy – and simply cool. At numerous events, visitors discovered the diversity of Finnish literature: from modern works and classics to poetry and non-fiction, along with comics, graphic novels and children’s and young adult books.
Finland. Cool.

Great literature
… from a small nation at the edge of the Western world.


Exciting stories
… in a language spoken by only five or six million people worldwide.


Information about the book market in Finland
60 German-language publishers acquired 215 Finnish titles in the programme.
60 German-language publishers acquired 215 Finnish titles in the programme.
The international book exhibition "Books on Finland" displayed translations of titles from and for Finland – a total of 950 books published by 245 publishers in 35 countries.
Guest of Honour 2013: Brazil
Guest of Honour Brazil took the chance to strengthen its publishing industry and to present its culture to the world as colourful, diverse and strong-voiced. Visitors experienced the limitless creative energy of young authors from a country of rebellion, new beginnings and excitement for the future.
A Land of Voices

Authors up close
at readings and discussions with Paulo Cuelho, Andréa del Fuego, Beatriz Bracher and many.


Rio de Main
More than 150 events with over 90 Brazilian authors from all literary genres.


Information on the book market in Brazil
130 German publishers presented more than 335 new releases, including 117 fiction titles in their programmes.
130 German publishers presented more than 335 new releases, including 117 fiction titles in their programmes.
The international book exhibition "Books on Brazil" was on display in the Guest of Honour pavilion and presented 1060 books from and about Brazil from 309 publishers and 24 countries.
In a nutshell
Get an overview of everything connected to Frankfruter Buchmesse’s Guest of Honour here.
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