The Leipzig Book Fair is the premier spring forum for the publishing and media business, and is designed as a fair for readers, authors and publishing houses. It presents the year's new springtime publications, together with the latest topics and trends and – in addition to the most recent German literature – new writing from Central and Eastern Europe. Thanks to the unique ties between the fair and "Leipzig liest" - Europe's biggest celebration of reading– the book fair attracts a huge public.
No less than 25,000 new books will be presented during the Leipzig Book Fair. In addition to the major publishers this forum for the publishing industry traditionally focuses on the highly diverse scene of young independent publishing houses, who continue to flock to Leipzig in large numbers and provide scope for visitors to make new discoveries.
In celebrating of reading: 'Leipzig liest' is 25 years old
It has long been the emblem of the Leipzig Book Fair, and this year the 'Leipzig liest' festival of reading will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. In its quarter-centenary year more than 3,000 participants will be presenting this springtime's new books at over 3,200 events. To launch this year's reading festival the Leipzig Book Fair will be holding a birthday celebration event on Thursday, 17 March 2016. At the Congress Hall of Zoo Leipzig well-known authors will be combining with fresh new faces in a programme which ranges from classical literature to poetry slam. On the subject of 'Leipzig liest' Oliver Zille, Director of the Book Fair, says: "It combines unique locations with a striking reading experience, which creates unforgettable moments of literature".
A forum for the literary business! A trade programme for authors, publishers and editors
The literary business is currently in a state of flux, and the Leipzig Book Fair provides lots of scope for those involved to discuss new developments and changes. The over 250 events which make up the trade programme provide new stimulus for booksellers, publishers, authors, translators and service providers in the book business. Under the title of "Stories, Data, Discoverability" the third Book Fair Conference – which takes place on 17 March 2016, the first day of the fair – looks at success strategies in the area of multichannel marketing and sales in B2C publishing.
The first International Book Pitch
The sheer volume of what is available at the Leipzig Book Fair often only provides scope for brief encounters, although these can have a powerful impact. At the first International Book Pitch authors from central, eastern and northern Europe will have brief five-minute slots in order to present their work to a trade public made up of editors and literary agents, while at the 'meet & greet' session authors from different countries can get in touch with publishing houses.
Award-winning: the Leipzig Book Fair Prize
It was a real sensation when last year's Leipzig Book Fair Prize was awarded to the lyric poet Jan Wagner, giving the genre an unprecedented level of attention. In 2016 the jury will now be deliberating with a new chairperson in the form of literary critic Kristina Maidt-Zinke: on the first day of the fair the prize - with an overall value of €60,000 - is awarded in the categories of fiction, non-fiction/essays and translation, providing extensive publicity for outstanding new writing and translations.
Manga-Comic-Con: up-and-coming talent in Germany
Literature is colourful. Literature is creative. Literature is addictive. This can be experienced above all at Manga-Comic-Con (MCC), which shows in impressive style how a passion for comics can generate enthusiasm for reading and accordingly win over a young public for literature. In addition to manga and comic fans the convention provides a unique meeting point within the framework of the Leipzig Book Fair, featuring both a wide range of exhibitions and prominent international guests from the manga and comic scene. The focal point of this year's MCC indicates how vibrant and diverse the scene is in Germany, even if it is less well-known: in Hall 1 up-and-coming comic artists are presented to the public and provide new discoveries.
Further information
The 2016 Leipzig Book Fair is taking place from 17 to 20 March 2016 on the Leipzig Trade Fair site. The opening hours are from 10 to 18 hrs.
Admission tickets to the Leipzig Book Fair are combined tickets and are also valid for the Manga Comic Convention and the Leipzig Antiquarian Book Fair. The tickets also provide free use in Leipzig of the local public transport facilities provided by the 'Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund'.
Admission tickets for the Leipzig Book Fair can be ordered online or at the fair.
The events in the 'Leipzig liest' reading festival programme take place throughout the city.