More than 180,000 visitors came to the Frankfurt Book Fair this year, with trade visitors (93,000) making up just over half. The organizers announced this at the end of the day on Sunday. After two years with restrictions due to the pandemic, the 74th Frankfurt Book Fair took place again without any major restrictions. A total of 4000 exhibitors from 95 countries presented their new releases.
This year the book show was particularly political. “In the midst of an oppressive global political situation, this fair sent important signals: in times of heated debates, personal talks are an antidote to polarization,” said book fair director Juergen Boos on Sunday.
Numerous debates, lectures and readings dealt with topics such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in Iran and Afghanistan and diversity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a video address on Thursday. On Saturday his wife, Olena Selenska, came to Frankfurt in person. Together with the German First Lady Elke Büdenbender, she has taken on the patronage of a book project for children who have fled the Ukraine. It’s “a small attempt to heal wounds,” she said.
And of course there were also numerous authors at the fair, including Donna Leon, Asli Erdogan, Ian Kershaw and Dörte Hansen. Climate activist Luisa Neubauer presented her new book, which she wrote with her grandmother. And actress Diane Kruger and singer Judith Holofernes also presented their books. Finally, the Ukrainian writer Serhij Zhadan was honored with the Peace Prize in the Paulskirche on Sunday.
Last year, more than 73,000 visitors came to the limited edition of the book fair, and around 130,000 users also used the digital offerings. The total number of visitors this year is still well below the pre-Corona times: in 2019 there were around 300,000 visitors.
Under the motto “Translate. Transfer. Transform.” the book show focused on the work of translators. Guest country 2022 was Spain, which is why the Spanish royal couple brought royal splendor to the fair at the start. Guest of honor next year will be Slovenia. In 2023 the book fair will take place from October 18th to 22nd.
