Beyond Words – a look back at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018

The Industry gathered together – for the 70th time

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018 brought the entire publishing industry together for the 70th time. At the heart of Frankfurt, visitors encountered stars, booksellers met app developers, film producers sat down with literary agents and librarians got to know database specialists. What did they all have in common? It was their passion for exciting content. Precisely this was celebrated by the Guest of Honour. Georgia, a centuries old nation and culture, presented itself with the motto: “Georgia – Made by Characters.”

Stars like Paul Beatty, Dörte Hansen, Otto Waalkes and Eckart von Hirschhausen made big appearances, while Frankfurter Buchmesse took on a stronger political stance than ever before. The Weltempfang was dedicated to the topic of “Democracy and Engagement” and the fair’s #onthesamepage campaign included an event programme focused on human rights – all of which spoke in favour of diversity and of the assurance of human rights within our society.

Frankfurter Buchmesse once again proved itself in 2018 as the largest international fair for the content industry. And as a meeting place where opinions, discussions and polarisation are not just permitted, but very much desired.

A look back at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018

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Exhibitors from the content industry that want to put themselves in the spotlight never miss Frankfurter Buchmesse. And neither do the visitors, who want their annual dose of inspiration. Here's a look at 2018 in figures:

approximately 7 500 exhibitors showcased their brand and products in Frankfurt, approx. three percent more than last year. Just under 70 percent were international exhibitors, who travelled to Frankfurt from 109 countries.

What about rights and licence trading? It flourished. The Literary Agents & Scouts Centre (LitAg) grew by about six percent in 2018.

For the general public, Frankfurter Buchmesse was like a magnet: at 115 957, there were more private visitors than ever. 169 067 trade visitors arrived from 164 countries.

Visitor numbers

285024
Visitors in total
115957
General public visitors
169067
Trade visitors from
164
Countries

A platform for 109 countries

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Guest of Honour at Frankfurter Buchmesse

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For the 100th anniversary of its independence, Georgia presented its unique culture at Frankfurter Buchmesse. The country presented its stories and literature with the motto “Georgia – Made by Characters”. And it was a success: the German-language book market saw more than 150 new releases during the Guest of Honour year. 70 German-language publishers added titles on Georgia to their programmes. But the spotlight was also shared by the Georgians who gave rise to all those works: the authors and artists themselves.

The unique Georgian alphabet, which consists of 33 curvy characters, is considered UNESCO World Heritage and was used to create their logo for the fair. The heart of their exhibition was the approx. 2 300 square metre Guest of Honour Pavilion, whose design was inspired by the shape of Georgian letters.

Let the numbers speak for themselves

700
Events
157
German-language new publications
16
Exhibitions in cultural institutions

A look back: Guest of Honour Georgia

Literary Variety

Georgian literature features an exciting mix of oriental and occidental influences, mixed with openness and its own independent voice.

Bücherstand auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse

Events

Readings, discussions, performances and much more – throughout the year, there were many exciting events by our Guest of Honour.

Past Guest

Have a look into the past and learn more about the Guest of Honour countries of recent years.

Video: Georgia "Made by Characters"

Georgia "Made by Characters"

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Highlights of Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018

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Authors in 2018

Best-selling authors and the stars of literature industry – from Norwegian children’s book authors to Haitian lyricists. Frankfurter Buchmesse has the right match for all fans of literature. And it wasn't just the general public who got what they wanted: authors and other big names of the publishing industry enjoyed fruitful exchanges and made new contacts.

Stars and VIPs in 2018

German fans were excited to congratulate comedian Otto Waalkes on his 70th birthday and to get tips from Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen on how to live the second half of their lives to their fullest. In addition to a range of VIP authors and publicists, like Deniz Yücel and Marc-Uwe Kling, there were many film and TV stars at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018, like Benno Fürmann and Michelle Hunziker.

Otto Waalkes

The comedian presented his autobiography, including the highs and lows of his career and the happiest, most embarrassing and funniest moments.

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018 - Otto Walkes

Benno Fürmann

The star of the successful film "Anatomie" and winner of the Adolf Grimme Prize was at the Frankfurter Buchmesse Film Award.

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018 - Benno Führmann

Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen

Jonas Jonasson

On The Same Page

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN in 1948. At the 70th anniversary, Frankfurter Buchmesse gave fair visitors, booksellers, authors, librarians and everyone the chance to stand up for peace, freedom, and diversity.

Frankfurt Pavilion

German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, opened the new home of storytelling: Frankfurt Pavilion – the new landmark in the middle of the Agora. At the opening conference, prize-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie held a guest speech and the Global Illustration Award (GIA) was given out for the third time. It also featured the Ursula Lounge, which brought sci-fi fans from around the world together on 450 square metres.

Think Ursula

The Ursula Lounge – right in the middle of the Frankfurt Pavilion – did more than provide some well-earned visibility to the important science-fiction genre. It excited all the fans at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018.

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From Frankfurt Kids with its new Frankfurt Kids Area to THE ARTS+ and Weltempfang: our themed areas were as diverse as the content presented at Frankfurter Buchmesse. Students flocked to the new Campus Weekend by Frankfurt EDU and BOOKFEST offered enticing highlights, such as The Poetry Project.

Frankfurt Kids

The new International Children’s Book Centre offered a lot to visitors: 1 549 international publishers of children’s and young adult media, along with the 500 square metre Frankfurt Kids Area, which served as the central networking space for digital children’s products, and a place for exhibitions and events.

Here, visitors enjoyed the Stage at the Children’s Book Centre, the Illustrators Corner, a Walkable Catalogue and a café.

Gourmet Gallery

In 2018, the whole culinary world met at the Gourmet Gallery. It welcomed star cooks like Tim Mälzer, Mario Kotaska, Sarah Henke and Stefan Marquard. Exhibitors created excitement for new taste experiences and presented their innovative business concepts.

What did visitors encounter? Exciting offers surrounding nutrition, eating, wine and everything that a gourmand could desire.

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018 - Rückblick - ARTS+

THE ARTS+

It was a festival, a platform and a wellspring of inspiration: THE ARTS+ at Frankfurter Buchmesse. It brought together the leading players of the creative and cultural industry with important minds from the fields of politics and technology.

The programme covered issues such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018 - Rückblick - Weltempfang

Weltempfang – "We need to talk"

Weltempfang, the centre for politics, literature and translation, welcomed experts to discuss freedom of the press, self-censorship and other socio-political developments, such as author and journalist Deniz Yücel and Börsenverein’s Managing Director, Alexander Skipis, who talked about the situation that authors and journalists face in Turkey.

Weltempfang was one of the most important stages for an open exchange and dialogue at Frankfurter Buchmesse.

BOOKFEST

The international festival of Frankfurter Buchmesse took place from 9-14 October and featured about 80 events in the Frankfurt Pavilion, room Harmonie and many hot locations throughout the city. From the opening event – The Poetry Project – to chocolate tasting with Germany’s first chocolate sommelier, Annette Klingelhöfer.

Stars like Paul Beatty, Dmitry Glukhovsky, Robert Seethaler, Martin Suter, Benedict Wells and Juli Zeh rounded out the programme.

Frankfurt EDU

The new international platform for innovative concepts, contents and technologies was the gathering point for the education industry in 2018. The next trends for the future of learning were developed in the EdTech Area, while students enjoyed a diverse programme on Campus Weekend.

The Education Stage hosted author readings and presentations. And new business concepts were made in and beyond the Startup Area.

Campus Weekend

A spectacular Science Slam, a party, exciting informational events with the latest science trends along with tips and tricks for career planning.

All that and more awaited students at Frankfurter Buchmesse’s Campus Weekend.

Business Club

Also in 2018, the Business Club was the place for doing business – in the middle of everything, yet far from the hectic atmosphere of the fair.

Trade visitors benefited from a relaxing lounge at the centre of Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Be inspired in 2019

Don't miss out when Frankfurter Buchmesse opens its doors once again in 2019.

Get a ticket. Be there.

Beyond Words – a look back at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2018

The Industry gathered together – for the 70th time

A platform for 109 countries

Let the numbers speak for themselves