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#fbm22: Focus on translation / Guest of Honour Spain / Literary diversity and voices from Ukraine / Frankfurt Audio and children’s and YA media / Digital trade programme

After more than two years of the pandemic, publishing industry players are keen on presenting their products and services in Frankfurt. The registration phase for the 74th Frankfurter Buchmesse (19–23 October 2022) is still open, and over 4,000 exhibitors from more than 65 countries are expected to participate. The current trend shows that Spain, this year’s Guest of Honour, and the major book markets, such as the UK, the US, Italy and France, will be especially well represented. Hall 3, where German-language publishers traditionally showcase their titles, is almost fully booked. The fair is currently planning to use Halls 3, 4 and 6 on the exhibition grounds, along with the Forum and the large outdoor space, the Agora. From Wednesday until Friday (19-21 October 2022) the fair will be open to trade visitors, and on the weekend to the general public as well, beginning on the Friday of the fair.

“The international book industry thrives when people come together and interact: after two years of the pandemic, there is considerable desire for in-person meetings and exchanges with other publishing professionals. I am therefore especially pleased that agencies from some 25 countries have already registered for the Literary Agents and Scouts Centre (LitAg) – including an especially large number from the most important markets, the UK and US. The translation rights business has traditionally been the fair’s main activity. That is why, this year, we are highlighting the subject of translating with the campaign ‘Translate. Transfer. Transform’. After all, it’s only because of translators and their efforts that we are able to understand the literature of other languages and cultures, thereby gaining new perspectives and creating closer connections,” says Juergen Boos, Director of Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Making basic democratic principles visible

“As a meeting place for people from over 100 countries, Frankfurter Buchmesse thrives on the diversity of its exhibitors and visitors,” Boos says. “Basic democratic principles are the DNA of Frankfurter Buchmesse; the fair stands for a diverse society, for plurality and against discrimination of any kind. We are currently developing a range of focus topics, formats and measures to make these fundamental values visible. We want to focus on democratic principles, highlighting different literary groups at the fair and celebrating the book industry’s diversity. In view of the current political situation, one aspect that is of particular importance to us this year is offering Ukrainian publishers and authors a platform.”

Frankfurter Buchmesse is working with numerous partners to develop focus topics for the programme, including the German Federal Agency for Civic Education, the Association for Anti-Discrimination and Educational Work, the Democracy Centre Hessen, and HKE, the state of Hessen’s centre for combatting extremism. 
Information on initiatives by the fair and its partners to help members of the Ukrainian book industry can be found here: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/news/ukraine

Focus on translation

“Translate. Transfer. Transform.” is the motto Frankfurter Buchmesse 2022 will be using to highlight the many aspects involved in translating. This refers not only to the translation of texts into other languages, but also, in a larger sense, to the adaptation of literary material into other media. A number of events are planned, including a stage dedicated to the topic of translation, which is being organised by the association of German-speaking translators (VdÜ), in cooperation with Frankfurter Buchmesse, Weltlesebühne e.V. and other partners.

Guest of Honour Spain

Using the motto “Creatividad desbordante / Spilling Creativity”, this year’s Guest of Honour, Spain, will be showcasing its literary and cultural diversity in Frankfurt. In addition to the specially designed Guest of Honour Pavilion (Forum, Level 1) and numerous events featuring authors from Spain, an impressive showing is expected of exhibitors and publishers from throughout the country, including several of Spain’s Comunidades Autónomas, such as Galicia, Catalonia and the Basque Country, which will have their own stands at the fair. Under the hashtag #tapasliterarias, “literary titbits” are already appearing on Instagram to whet everyone’s appetite for literature from Spain. This is where book fair staff, publishers, authors, translators and editors are highlighting some of the approximately 150 new titles that will be published in German in conjunction with Spain’s appearance as Guest of Honour. More information on Spain’s role as Guest of Honour will be presented during the press conference on 22 June in Frankfurt, Germany (11:00 am, Instituto Cervantes, registration vie e-mail to: presse@projekt2508.de).

Frankfurt Audio and children’s and YA media

The book industry’s strongest growing segments worldwide are audio and media for children and young adults. Frankfurt Audio (https://www.buchmesse.de/en/ffm-audio) and Frankfurt Kids are therefore two highlights that should not be missed at this year’s fair. An entire area in Hall 3.1 will focus on the spoken word, highlighting audio books, podcasts, audio technologies and services. The presence of numerous exhibitors specialising in media for children and young adults will turn this year’s fair into an especially lively happening. Thanks to events for trade visitors and the public, such as the presentation of the German Children’s Literature Award on Friday (21 October 2022), time spent at the fair is sure to be a rewarding experience for both publishing professionals during the week and families with children on the weekend.

Digital trade programme

The programme in Frankfurt will be complemented by digital offerings for the publishing industry’s international members, including online Master Classes in the week prior to the fair (10–14 October 2022). Once again, the popular informal networking format The Hof – named for the Frankfurter Hof, the after-fair meeting spot – will also be on this year’s roster of online events.
More information on the Master Classes: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/highlights/professional-programme/masterclasses
About The Hof: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/highlights/professional-programme/hof

Spotlight on trade topics, authors and their publications

Each day of the fair, Frankfurt Studio in Hall 4.0 will serve as a very special showcase, with both a live audience and video recordings that will be added to the Frankfurter Buchmesse media library. Exhibitors can book a slot to present their products, and authors can discuss their new titles. Industry topics will be the focus from Wednesday to Friday; authors and their books will be the main theme at the weekend. Literature fans can purchase the latest books by their favourite authors at the signing boxes on the Agora and have them autographed on site. During the entire week of the fair, readings and events are also planned at special venues throughout the city of Frankfurt as part of BOOKFEST. At the weekend, things will get colourful on the fairgrounds thanks to the German Cosplay Championships, a highlight for all manga and anime aficionados which traditionally takes place on the final day of the fair (23 October 2022).
More information about the Frankfurt Studio and further event options: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/exhibit/presentation-options/event-options

Hygiene and safety plan

“The health of our visitors and exhibitors is very important to us,” says Gabi Rauch-Kneer, Vice President Exhibition Management at Frankfurter Buchmesse. As always, Frankfurter Buchmesse is developing a hygiene and safety plan together with Messe Frankfurt and Frankfurt’s police department, and is in regular contact with the city’s public health authorities. The hygiene and safety plan will be adjusted to the current conditions in October. The layout of the exhibition halls is being planned for 2022 in a way that will allow exhibitors and visitors to maintain sufficient distance from each other as they move about the fair.

Exhibitors can still register to participate in Frankfurter Buchmesse 2022: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/exhibit

The book fair’s online ticket shop is scheduled to open in the beginning of August: 
https://www.buchmesse.de/en/visit

Accreditation of press representatives is planned to begin in mid-August: 
https://www.buchmesse.de/en/press