Frankfurt Book Fair 2009
Quick Reference Guide to FBF 2009 – World’s Largest Publishing Event
Jul 10, 2009
Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF) is one of the most important publishing events that attracts more than 7,300 exhibitors from 100 countries each year as well as around 10,000 journalists and 300,000 trade and general visitors. As the largest book event in the world, it is the place to get a preview of new books, trade rights and licenses and promote publishing products.
Frankfurt Book Fair 2009 Program
With 2,900 events around books and publishing, FBF offers something for everyone. Some of the FBF 2009 highlights include:
- author meets with world-renowned writers,
- forums on audio books, film & media, education, publishing trends and more,
- panel discussions focusing on digital content,
- readings by famous children’s authors,
- signing events with comic book artists,
- many seminars and conferences and
- prestigious book prize awards.
Guest of Honor at FBF 2009: China
Since 1976, having a Guest of Honor is a tradition at Frankfurt Book Fair. Under the headline “Tradition and Innovation,” China will introduce its literature and culture at this year’s fair. The country pavilion will be located in the Forum on Level 1, whereas the Chinese publishers can be found in international Hall 6.0. Among the planned events are:
- readings by Chinese authors,
- panel discussions with Chinese and other international publishing professionals,
- an opening concert by some of China’s top musicians on October 13,
- cultural heritage and art exhibitions,
- concerts, dance performances and exhibitions about China in Frankfurt and surrounding areas.
Frankfurt Book Fair Opening Hours
The FBF has traditionally been a professional fair during the week that opens its doors to the general public on the weekend. Though crowds are huge and inside deals already over, this is when the big author events, book launches and parties take place. Here are the FBF opening hours at a glance:
- Wednesday, October 14 through Friday, October 15: 9 am - 6:30 pm; trade visitors only
- Saturday, October 16: 9 am - 6:30 pm; general public
- Sunday, October 17: 9 am – 5:30 pm; general public
Frankfurt Book Fair Ticket Prices
Advance tickets are already available and can be booked online by sending an email to online-tickets@messefrankfurt.com or by calling the ticket hotline at +49-69-7575-19455. The FBF 2009 ticket prices are the following:
- Trade visitors, 1-day ticket: €28 (advance sale)
- Trade visitors, 1-day ticket: €36 (on site)
- Trade visitors, 5-day ticket: €56 (advance sale)
- Trade visitors, 5-day ticket: €72 (on site)
- Students, 1-day ticket during trade days: €20
- General public, 1-day ticket: €14
- General public, 2-day weekend ticket: €20
- Group ticket (20 persons or more), 1-day ticket: €12 per person
- Children, 1-day ticket: €7
Frankfurt Book Fair 2009 Hall Information
Anyone who has been to the Frankfurt Book Fair before knows that the exhibition area is vast and even in one week, one can’t do it all. Being selective and organized and some planning beforehand helps. Also, leave enough time between appointments and events as distances between halls are quite long; however, shuttle buses are available. Here’s a quick overview of the different halls and a floorplan:
- Forum F.0: Film & TV Rights Center
- Forum F.1: Guest of Honor China
- Halls 3.0, 3.1 and 4.1: fiction and non-fiction
- Hall 3.0: children’s books and comic books
- Hall 3.1: religion, tourism, Antiquarian Book Fair
- Hall 4.0: publishers & booksellers center, discount books, non-books
- Hall 4.1: art books and book illustrations
- Hall 4.2: STM, education & academic books and journals
- Halls 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 6.1 and 8.0: international publishers
- Hall 6.2: literary agents and press center
Frankfurt Book Fair History
Right from the beginning of book publishing in the 15th century with Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of movable type, Frankfurt established itself as Europe’s book fair capital until the 17th century. Because of a changing political climate, Leipzig, just a few hundred kilometers east, took over this title. Exactly 60 years ago, the first booksellers and publishers met in Frankfurt again to restart the city’s book fair tradition after WWII. From this humble re-start, Frankfurt Book Fair has become the world’s largest publishing event.
Rather than just a book fair, Frankfurt Book Fair is the international publishing event that trade professionals like publishers, booksellers, librarians, distributors, authors and agents look forward to throughout the year. On the weekend, FBF becomes a bustling event for the whole family that promotes reading and literature for any age group.
Don’t miss reading about the upcoming Guadalajara International Book Fair, the Man Booker Prize award and Project Gutenberg.
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