The Leipzig Book Fair opened to the public on Thursday. From now until Sunday it will host 2,044 exhibitors and representatives from 54 countries, an increase from last year’s 2,040 exhibitors in 45 nations.
“Deutsch‑speaking books continue to have a strong relevance” said Astrid Böhmisch, director of the fair, before the opening. “The international guests prove this: exhibitors from more countries than ever before are presenting their literature in Leipzig”. She added that the fair is “the place where stories bring us together”.
The theme for this year’s fair is “Danube – Under Current and Between Worlds” focusing on literature from the Danube region. Organisers expect about 300,000 visitors this year.
The fair had an official opening ceremony on Wednesday evening at the Leipzig Gewandhaus. Culture minister Wolfram Weimer was also present, but he was greeted by protests. He was partially booed in the hall as well. The unrest stemmed from his controversial decision to remove three left‑leaning bookstores from the German Book Prize list and from the dispute over the expansion of the German National Library in Leipzig.