Book fair in Frankfurt, paradise in struggle to remain in person

Frankfurt del Main. The most important literary meeting in the world faces the challenge of global digitalization by offering an attractive program not only for professionals in the publishing industry but for authors themselves, literary agents or literature lovers. Establishing worldwide contacts here is one of the neural points of this meeting.

The surface of the Frankfurt Book Fair initially overwhelms more than 160 thousand square meters, which are divided into different categories and countries. Around 4000 exhibitors from 95 countries. For many visitors, immersing themselves in this literary ocean means experiencing a kind of earthly paradise for a few days, although moving from one room to another means traveling a few kilometers on foot.

Parallel program in 15 stages with special guests

This year more than 1,000 authors from all over the world attend, around 650 events are organized in 15 stages spread throughout the fair where discussions, debates, readings in various languages ​​translated into English or German and the opportunity to establish contact take place. direct by the public with their favorite authors. The official German television channels organize various events in which personalities from the world of politics are also guests.

The defense of democracy and anti-Semitic attacks have also been part of the most intense discussions during the fair this year.

Much of the current discussion is about the future of printed literature in the face of the impact of digitalization, the challenges to be faced and possible solutions. Discussion panels are organized with various professional guests from the industry.

The strength of the German publishing industry

The rooms dedicated to the German publishing industry surprise the visitor not only because of the immense editorial offering, which reflects the importance of this industry in the country. Some attractively decorated stands offer visitors a friendly welcome, even offering some drinks or snacks. The marketing around Frida Kahlo in Germany is almost overwhelming.

In 2020, the Taschen publishing house celebrated 40 years of existence with a special edition on Frida Kahlo that was even classified by North American media as immersing yourself in a Frida museum when leafing through the book. Taschen is a major German publisher whose publications are characterized more than text by attractive images in fine formats on a wide variety of topics in art, photography, architecture, film, lifestyle, comics, fashion and many more.

Based in Cologne, Germany, it has official stores in various places around the world. Founded in 1980 by Benedikt Taschen, it has positioned itself worldwide as an important publishing house that represents important classical and contemporary artists.

The pleasure of leafing through one of Taschen’s fine editions cannot be replaced by digital editions, hence the value of this important German publishing company.