Slovenia to be Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2022

The country to be Guest of Honour illuminates the identity-shaping role of literature in politics and society.

Frankfurt /Ljubljana, 20 February 2018 – The Frankfurter Buchmesse’s Guest of Honour 2022 has been chosen: Today, Slovenia’s presentation as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse (19-23 October 2022) was formally sealed by the Director of the Slovenian Book Agency, Renata Zamida, and Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurter Buchmesse, in the presence of the Slovenian Minister of Culture, Anton Peršak, and numerous authors and publishers.

“Literature plays an exceptional role in Slovenian society. Thirty years after Slovenian intellectuals and authors created the basis for the constitution with their ‘writers’ constitution’ after the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia is preparing a major celebration of its literature and culture in Frankfurt”, said Juergen Boos at the signing of the contract that will make Slovenia Guest of Honour at the Book Fair in 2022. “The local literary scene is very vibrant and extends far beyond the country’s borders. I am delighted to see the great value placed on poetry in Slovenian society. We are very much looking forward to the appearance of Slovenian authors and publishers in Frankfurt and, with them, will discover the stories of the Guest of Honour.”

Renata Zamida, Director of the Slovenian Book Agency, said: “Founded in 1991, Slovenia will be one of the ‘youngest’ countries to appear as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse. However, Slovenian literature as such has existed for much longer than the independent state of Slovenia – and its influence extends far beyond its borders. Consider, for example, the many respected literary works by Slovenian authors in neighbouring countries, such as Maja Haderlap in Carinthia or Boris Pahor, who lives in Trieste and is already considered a classic Slovenian writer of contemporary literature in Italy, France and Germany. The world’s most important book fair offers a unique opportunity to present the full spectrum of Slovenian literature and culture to an international audience. The entire Slovenian cultural community – and the book sector in particular, of course – has many positive expectations for Slovenia’s appearance in Frankfurt in 2022. We’ve noticed that the lead-up to this appearance is already having an impact beyond our borders, attracting the attention of the international publishing world.”

Slovenian Minister of Culture Anton Peršak added: “The Slovenian government and cultural sector consider this invitation a unique opportunity to showcase the accomplishments of Slovenian literature and of the nation itself – its rich culture, quality literature encompassing all genres and longstanding tradition of literary creativity – at the Frankfurter Buchmesse. Slovenia has made a number of remarkable international breakthroughs in various cultural spheres, leaving its mark on the European and global stage despite its small size and less than three decades as a sovereign state and independent cultural entity. The country’s planned participation in Frankfurt is a tremendous opportunity to promote its activities.”

About the Frankfurter Buchmesse
The Frankfurter Buchmesse is the international publishing industry’s biggest trade fair – with over 7,300 exhibitors from 102 countries, around 286,000 visitors, over 4,000 events and some 10,000 accredited journalists (including 2,400 bloggers) in attendance. It also brings together key players from other media, including the film and games industries. Since 1976, the Book Fair has featured an annual Guest of Honour country, which showcases its book market, literature and culture to attendees in a variety of ways. The Frankfurter Buchmesse organises the participation of German publishers at around 20 international book fairs and hosts trade events throughout the year in major international markets. With its Business Club, the Frankfurter Buchmesse offers essential services and an ideal setting for the activities of entrepreneurs, publishers, founders, pioneers, experts and visionaries. The Frankfurter Buchmesse is a subsidiary of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers & Booksellers Association). www.book-fair.com

Contact for the media:
Press & Corporate Communications Frankfurter Buchmesse
Katja Böhne, Vice President Marketing & Communications, tel.: +49 (0) 69 2102-138, press@book-fair.com
Kathrin Grün, Head of PR and Communications, tel.: +49 (0) 69 2102-170, gruen@book-fair.com
Jördis Hille, PR Manager, tel.: +49 (0) 69 2102-271, hille@book-fair.com
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