From October 16 to 20, 2024, Frankfurter Buchmesse will once again be the meeting place for thousands of literature fans and experts from the international book industry. Under the motto "FBM24 is Read!ng - Read. Reflect. Relate.", the 76th edition of the fair offers a diverse program that attracts literature enthusiasts as well as representatives from culture, politics and business.
The opening ceremony will take place on 15 October, at which Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth and Hessian Minister President Boris Rhein are expected to attend, among others. Speakerssuch as Carlo Rovelli and Susanna Tamaro will represent this year's guest of honor, Italy, which will be represented by over 90 authors.
A highlight of the book fair is the new New Adult Area in Hall 1.2. 8,000 square meters of this area are dedicated to the growing genre that is particularly popular with young readers. Authors like Jane S. Wonda meet their fans here, and queer publishers also find a home. Also at the weekend, the fair opens its doors to mangas, comics and cosplay fans, who will get their money's worth in the Artist Alley and at the German Cosplay Championship.
The Frankfurt Book Fair also remains a central location for socio-political discussions. The new series "Frankfurt Calling - Perspectives on Culture and Politics" will address controversial topics such as democracy, climate change, artificial intelligence and populism. A special encounter awaits visitors on Wednesday evening: Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari and Japanese philosopher Kohei Saito will discuss whether overthrowing the system is the only way to a future worth living.
In addition to current debates, the focus will also be on economic aspects. For example, the traditional Book-to-Screen Day promotes the exchange between publishers and film producers, while the Games Business Centre integrates the games industry at the book fair for the first time.
Italy, this year's Guest of Honour, will also be showcasing the full spectrum of its literature. Well-known authors such as Alessandro Baricco and Claudio Magris will enrich the program with readings and discussions in the specially designed pavilion.
Another highlight for young visitors is the Frankfurt Kids Festival. Here, children can get up close and personal with authors such as Paul Maar and Ursula Poznanski. In addition, the Hörbuchwelten Bühne presents popular speakers and podcasters, while influencers and TV stars such as Thomas Gottschalk perform on the Open Stage.
At the end of the book fair, TikTok will present the TikTok Book Awards for the second time, celebrating the #BookTok community and its creators.
With its diverse program, internationality and important discussions, Frankfurter Buchmesse 2024 proves that it is more than just a platform for literature - it is a central place for cultural and social exchange.
