This year, the Leipzig Book Fair is hosting the spring meeting of the literary industry under the motto "Words move worlds". The fair, which runs from March 27 to 30, comes at a difficult time economically, especially for smaller publishers. Fewer books were sold in 2024 than in the previous year. The Börsenverein puts the decline at 1.7 percent. Because books became more expensive, sales increased by 0.8 percent. The aim of the book fair is to promote reading. This will be important at the fair this year:
Royal visit
The guest country Nordwegen will ensure that things are majestic in Leipzig. Crown Princess Mette-Marit will open the host country stand on the first day of the fair. The 51-year-old is not only an avid reader, but is also committed to promoting Norwegian literature. She has been an official ambassador for Norwegian literature abroad since 2017.
From influencers to Nobel Prize winners
The Book Fair aims to be a stage for authors above all else. More than 2,000 events are on the program at the reading festival "Leipzig reads". Influencers such as Gazelle and Gialu or Malte Zierden are expected in Leipzig, as are the two Nobel Prize for Literature winners Svetlana Alexievich and Olga Tokarczuk. Bestselling author Sebastian Fitzek will be taking plenty of time for his fans. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, he has announced signing sessions lasting several hours.
New audio world
"Reading is also discovered through listening", said Book Fair Director Astrid Böhmisch. The fair has set up an "Audio World" for the first time. On a stage and in three listening islands, interested visitors can discover audiovisual content ranging from audio books to podcasts. Böhmisch believes that the fair is responding to an important development in the industry with the audio world.
Guest country Norway
After Austria, the Netherlands and Flanders, Norway is this year's Guest of Honor at the Leipzig Book Fair. The Scandinavians are presenting almost 50 authors in Leipzig, including stars such as Karl Ove Knausgård and Maja Lunde. However, Margit Walsø, Director of the "Norwegian Literature Abroad" association, said that the explicit aim of the Guest of Honour presentation was to showcase the full diversity of Norwegian literature. The Norwegians also have many children's books in their luggage.
Colorful manga world
The Manga-Comic-Con is a separate trade fair, but is inextricably linked to the book fair. The often imaginatively dressed visitors provide a splash of color worth seeing between the stands of the classic publishers. The fair management is banking on this mix and sees the mostly young people as the readers of the future. At the manga fair itself, the offer ranges from signing sessions and cosplay to Japanese workshops.
Former Chancellor Merkel reads from her biography
On Book Fair Sunday, Angela Merkel will be a guest at the Leipzig Gewandhaus with her biography "Freiheit" (Freedom). However, this is not a program item of the book fair, but a special reading of the Literary Autumn Leipzig. The event in the 1900-seat hall of the Gewandhaus is sold out.
Single tickets and season tickets available
A day ticket for the book fair costs 26 euros on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, concessions 22 euros. On Saturday - traditionally the busiest day of the fair - admission is more expensive at 31 euros (concessions 27 euros). The tickets can also be used to visit the Manga-Comic-Con. Prices are slightly lower at the advance booking office. Book Fair fans can also purchase a season ticket for 60 euros - and stroll through the halls every day.
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