Press releases

Slavoj Žižek's speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse has provoked strong reactions. Juergen Boos, Director of Frankfurter Buchmesse, spontaneously took the floor after Žižek's speech and addressed the audience in the Frankfurt Congress Centre.

In its anniversary year, the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse (18–22 October 2023) will offer a high-profile programme of cultural and political events – as a forum for literature and social debate.

Every book fair is different. To ensure you can keep track of it all, we’ve assembled the most important information here. 

Information on arrival and departure, ticketing, bag checks and security in general

Thanks to an alliance of numerous institutions, Ukraine will once again have a sizeable presence at Frankfurter Buchmesse. From 18 to 22 October 2023, the Ukrainian Book Institute, Goethe-Institut, Mystetskyi Arsenal (Art Arsenal) and the Ukrainian Institute will showcase Ukraine’s publishing and cultural landscape at the book fair in Frankfurt.

British environmental journalist and nonfiction author Gaia Vince will be the keynote speaker at Frankfurter Buchmesse’s opening press conference (Tuesday, 17 October 2023, 11 am in the Frankfurt Pavilion).

The trending topic of artificial intelligence will be in focus at this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse (18-22 October 2023).

In 2023, Frankfurter Buchmesse (18-22 October) will celebrate its 75th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Frankfurter Buchmesse has teamed up with the City of Frankfurt to bring the history of the fair into the present and make it a tangible experience beyond the exhibition grounds. The anniversary activities in Frankfurt's city centre are sponsored by the City of Frankfurt and take place in close cooperation with City Marketing.

The Guest of Honour for Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026 has now been decided: the Czech Republic will take on the showcased role at the 78th book fair (7–11 October 2026). Frankfurter Buchmesse Director Juergen Boos and Czech Minister of Culture Martin Baxa signed the official agreement at a ceremony held today in Prague, the Czech capital.

For the 75th time, Frankfurter Buchmesse (18–22 October 2023) will be celebrating new books, inspiring authors and moving stories: on the first literary stage jointly hosted by broadcasters ARD, ZDF and 3sat, in the Congress Center’s main hall, in the Frankfurt Studio, in the Frankfurt Pavilion, on the new open stage, and throughout Frankfurt during BOOKFEST city.  

For the Saturday of the fair, 21 October at 7 p.m., Frankfurter Buchmesse, ARD, ZDF and 3sat invite you to one of the highlights of the book fair days: the "Frankfurter Buchmesse special: Literature Gala". The event offers culture and literature fans the exclusive opportunity to experience hearing the award-winning British-Indian author Salman Rushdie live.

In its anniversary year, the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse (18–22 October 2023) will offer a high-profile programme of cultural and political events – as a forum for literature and for social debate.

Latest innovations, trends and services from the audio and podcast sector at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Political panels with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, climate activist Lea Bonasera, Irina Scherbakova (Memorial) and many more

The summarised offers from education, science and specialist information at the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse.

German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar will open the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse on Tuesday, 17 October 2023.

On Friday (20 October 2023), this year's Frankfurter Buchmesse (18-22 October 2023) will put the spotlight on the topic of film and series adaptations with the Book-to-Screen Day. Numerous events will give filmmakers access to the international book industry and promote exchange between the various players.

The Philippines will be Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025. Today, the official Guest of Honour contract was signed in Davao.

A new funding project is being set up to support the Ukrainian book trade and foster deeper exchange between the Ukrainian and German cultural sectors.

Scheduled to welcome 326 agencies from 31 countries, the Literary Agents & Scouts Centre (LitAg) at the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse (18-22 October 2023) is sold out. A total of 548 work tables have been reserved.

For the 75th time, Frankfurter Buchmesse (18 - 22 October 2023) will open its doors in October and celebrate hundreds of stories and the authors behind them. Among those taking part are Marc-Uwe Kling, Cornelia Funke, Deborah Feldman, Rafik Schami and Christopher Clark. Tickets for public and trade visitors are now available online.

Slovenia is the Guest of Honour of the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse (18-22 October 2023). On 15th June 2023, Slovenia presented its literary and cultural programme, the concept of the Guest of Honour Pavilion and the list of authors who will be attending the fair at a press conference in Frankfurt. The director of the Slovenian Book Agency JAK, Katja Stergar, the architect Jure Sadar and the curators Matthias Göritz, Miha Kovač and Amalija Maček provided insights into the different themes.

A comprehensive chronicle of the book fair is released on 15 March 2023, commencing the activities to celebrate the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse (18-22 October 2023).

Under the title "Large Houses, Small Houses - Excellent Architecture in Hessen 2018-2023", ten buildings will be awarded the "Martin Elsaesser Plaque" in 2023. Among them is the Frankfurt Pavilion, the cultural and political stage of Frankfurter Buchmesse on the Agora.

What’s new at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2022?

Focus on audio publishing, media for children and young adults and literary translations / Expert talks with Charlie Redmayne, Núria Cabutí, Jonny Geller, Ashleigh Gardner, Peter Warwick, Michael Tamblyn and many others

International Translation Centre with its own stage / Events exploring the importance of translators and feminist literature

With exhibitors from over 80 countries and acclaimed authors from around the world, the 74th Frankfurter Buchmesse (19–23 October 2022) will once again serve as the international book and publishing industry’s benchmark event.

Frankfurt will welcome the international publishing industry in October. The registration phase for the 74th Frankfurter Buchmesse (19–23 October 2022) is still open, and several thousand exhibitors from more than 65 countries are expected to participate.

Germany successfully concluded its appearance as Guest of Honour at the 31st Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (23-29 May 2022), which ended on Sunday.