Literary inspiration and exciting interactions – BOOKFEST programme lets the Special Edition shine, digitally and on site

Live from New York: talk with Elitot Weinberger | German Book Prize nominees Bov Bjeg and Deniz Ohde at BOOKFEST city

Every October, culture fans celebrate together at BOOKFEST. This year, the popular festival will take place physically as BOOKFEST city and, for the first time, virtually as BOOKFEST digital – allowing an even bigger and more colourful celebration of stars from the international cultural and literary scene. BOOKFEST city (14–18 October) will offer almost 80 events over all five days of the fair at many locations throughout Frankfurt. BOOKFEST digital will light up screens on 17 October from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm, with approximately 28 hours of highly diverse programming on two channels. Admission or access to both formats is free of charge.

BOOKFEST digital – with Elizabeth Gilbert and Matt Haig, among others

Following the call for participation, 812 submissions were received from 500 publishing houses in 50 countries. A total of 150 entries from 80 publishers in 30 countries were ultimately selected for BOOKFEST digital. Viewers can expect a mixture of topics, including entertainment, thrillers, science, lifestyle, gourmet cooking, travel,  works for children and young adults, illustrations, and much more.

Matt Haig will talk about his most recent novel, "The Midnight Library". In a video recorded at her home in New Jersey, bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert will discuss her writing, including her current book "City of Girls". The young and innovative arts project istanbulberlin will create an intercultural bridge between both pulsating metropolises with, among others, artists, activists and authors Ulrich Gutmair, Şebnem İşigüzel, Burhan Sönmez, Ayfer Tunç and Yasemin Mori. Essayist Eliot Weinberger will provide incisive commentary on the current situation in the US prior to the elections there. Ayad Akhtar, the most-performed playwright in the US today, will talk about his second book "Homeland Elegies". The event "She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement" will tell the unique and inspiring story of the New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who broke the story of sexual harassment involving Harvey Weinstein and others. And one of Africa’s most important literary voices, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, will speak with Bärbel Schäfer.

BOOKFEST digital will feature additional guests, including Don Winslow, Bas Kast, Eva Madelung, Kirsten Boie, Arved Fuchs, Ibram X. Kendi and Jamie Oliver.

BOOKFEST city – with German Book Prize nominees Bov Bjerg and Deniz Ohde, among others

5 days, 77 events, 119 authors, 110 hours of programming, 36 locations, 56 publishers, 11 booksellers – that’s BOOKFEST city summed up in figures.

Two authors nominated for the German Book Prize will put in an appearance at BOOKFEST city: Bov Bjerg and Deniz Ohde. Bjerg will read from his novel "Serpentinen" ("Serpentines"). Ohde will be part of Debut Night: alongside Leander Fischer ("Die Forelle" / "The Trout"), Ilona Hartmann ("Land in Sicht" / "Land in Sight") and Lorenz Just ("Am Rand der Dächer" / "At the Roofs’ Edge"), Rohde will present her much acclaimed debut novel "Streulicht" ("Stray Light"), in conversation with host and presenter Michael Hohmann. Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel is one of central Africa’s most honoured writers. A refugee in Spain since fleeing Equatorial Guinea in 2011, he is one of the most prominent voices speaking out against the regime of Teodoro Obiang. The film "The Writer from a Country Without Bookstores" (82 minutes) will be shown, documenting Ávila Laurel’s journey from Spain back to his native country. Following the screening, a Q&A session will take place with Ávila Laurel and director Marc Serena. The event "Wavelengths of Your Song" will be a mixture of reading and talk with Canadian author Eleonore Schönmaier. Writer, translator and publisher Adrian Kasnitz will speak with the prizewinning poet about her complex verse.

The overview of all events, partners and locations, as well as additional details, will be available in the coming weeks at www.bookfest.de. Links will also be accessible there to the pre-registration forms that must be filled out for all events. This year, the top priority will be protecting the health of all participants and guests at BOOKFEST city. Every location used for an event will have its own set of hygiene requirements.

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