Leipzig Book Fair attracts more visitors

The Leipzig Book Fair attracted more visitors this year than in the previous year. A total of 283,000 people came to marvel at innovations in the industry, the organizers announced on Sunday. Last year, the trade fair was able to take place again after a forced break due to the coronavirus. At that time, 274,000 people attended. After positive advance sales, the organizers had already expected an increase in visitor numbers this year.

Around 100 events took place in the exhibition halls during the four days of the fair. Among the numerous guests on the various stages were 41 authors - such as Marc-Uwe Kling ("The Kangaroo Chronicles"), Ingrid Noll ("The Pharmacist"), Arne Dahl ("Zero equals one") and Paul Maar ("Das Sams"). Other celebrities such as actress Katja Riemann and footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger also attended the fair. According to the organizers, a total of 2085 exhibitors from 40 countries were on site to present their books and new releases.

This year also marked the 10th year of the Manga-Comic-Con and the 30th year of the Antiquarian Book Fair at the exhibition grounds. The reading festival "Leipzig liest" also attracted visitors with 2800 events at 300 locations throughout the city. This year's fair was the first under the leadership of new director Astrid Böhmisch. Last year, the long-time director of the fair, Oliver Zille, retired unexpectedly.

This year, the Netherlands and Flanders presented themselves as the guest country of the Leipzig Book Fair 2024 as a common linguistic and cultural area. "Under the motto "Everything but flat!" we showed what has happened in our literature in the last ten years," explained the organizers of the guest country events on Sunday. An attempt was made to forge connections that would outlast the Leipzig Book Fair. Next year, Norway will be the guest country at the fair. Next year's Leipzig Book Fair will take place between March 27 and 30.