It is far from certain whether there will be a Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2022 that can be boycotted because a right-wing publisher had the opportunity to purchase a stand.

One might think that the prospects for the continued existence of the most important book show in the international literary scene are not bad.

After the pandemic fair of the previous year, which had moved to digital expanses, exhibitors and visitors have at least partially returned to the exhibition grounds.

And at least on Saturday the readers would probably have appeared in greater numbers than the Frankfurt Health Department had previously allowed them.

The publishers from Germany and abroad who had dared to make the leap to Frankfurt also heard in many cases how good it was to see each other again.

Florian Balke

Culture editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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Nevertheless, the figures are disappointing and will not necessarily lead to more confidence in the trade fair venture among potential exhibitors.

Especially since a year is a long time in which a lot can come up.

Less subsidies from the federal government, a new variant of the virus, but above all the lack of exhibitor and visitor numbers, which ensure that critical mass that only attracts more participants.

Discussion about rejections

In addition, there is now an old controversy that the trade fair has to face in the midst of an existence-threatening crisis. More than in previous years, she is confronted with the power of online influencers, who have more followers than they had visitors this year. Many German-language publishers heard during the fair that the boycott was the wrong means. It is regrettable that only one of around 2000 exhibitors received more attention than many others through him. However, this also resulted in a great deal of understanding for the authors who had canceled their participation. And the wish that the book fair would have given a clearer sign of solidarity earlier. Insisting on freedom of expression was not enough for many, even if they shared the view thatan exclusion of publishers should be avoided.

Now the book fair has to talk.

With representatives from Frankfurt, which the book show has given a lot of leeway in two pandemic years about Messe Frankfurt, which is supported by the city, but now demands accountability.

With the state and the cultural commissioner of the new federal government, whose support remains necessary.

A lot to do.