In 2008, the Leipzig Book Fair (Leipziger Buchmesse in German) attracted a record number of 129,000 visitors, 2,345 exhibitors from 39 countries and 2,700 journalists. Leipzig Book Fair (LBF) is all about two things: the relationship between authors and visitors and a focus on education. Therefore, LBF attracts teachers and educators and provides book fair rallies for school classes. Books are not sold at the publishers’ stalls but through the fair’s four designated bookstores.
Why Leipzig Book Fair is Special
Explains Wolfgang Marzin, CEO, Leipziger Messe GmbH, in the “Final Report Leipzig Book Fair 2008” of 17th March 2008: “The Leipzig Book Fair has laid down literary and economic markers, has given a platform as usual for authors and readers and livened up the book market. It has made it clear that education at every level is a key issue for the development of our society. … In Leipzig, these issues are given the public attention they deserve.”
Other highlights of the fair are:
- Leipzig Reads, Europe’s biggest reading festival
- the Leipzig Long Night of Literature
- the Leipzig Book Fair Prize awards
- the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding awards
- awarding of the German Youth Literature Prize
Enthuses Ines Wallraff, product manager, Random House Audio, in the same “Final Report”: “Unusual festival features like the ‘Leipzig Long Night of Literature’ make the Leipzig Book Fair with events for young authors so special. Readings are like pop concerts here, that’s a good sign.”
This year’s book fair will also center around exhibitions and events like panel discussions about the German reunification, as 2009 is celebrating 20 years since the peaceful revolution in the GDR. For the first time, Leipzig Book Fair 2009 will also offer tours (for up to 15 people) to introduce newbies to select fair highlights; advance bookings are appreciated.
Leipzig Book Fair 2009 Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
The fair will be held at the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL; Leipziger Messe in German) and will be open from Thursday, 12th March through Sunday, 15th March, 2009 from 10 am to 6 pm daily for trade visitors and the general public. The West entrance (from the tram) and the East entrance to Hall 4 and 5 (from the car park) are the visitors’ entrances.
Children under 5 years are free; reduced rates are available for trade visitors, students, senior citizens and the unemployed. When buying tickets, there are various ways to reduce the ticket fee of €11,50:
- Buy the day ticket in advance and pay €10
- buy a group ticket (for 10+ people) or a family ticket (1+ adult(s) + children) and pay €7.50/person
- buy an evening ticket (after 3 pm) and pay €6 or
- buy a ticket for all four days and pay €24
The History of Germany's Leipzig Book Fair
The book fair in Leipzig has trumped the one in Frankfurt since the 17th century, when it presented a larger number of books for the first time. Leipzig then dominated until 1945, after which it became one of the GDR’s important national events, allowing the Frankfurt Book Fair to become the big international event it is today. Since the German reunification, the LBF has once again become the largest of its kind in Europe. It was also the first book fair to recognize the potential of audio books and to feature them accordingly.
Today, Buchmesse Leipzig covers many areas of interest to visitors in the following halls:
Hall 2:
- Children's books
- Comics, cartoons, role-play, fantasy
- Educational media and textbooks
Hall 3:
- Fiction and non-fiction
- Newspapers, magazines and journals
- Reference books, specialist works, science and technology
- Religion
- Talking books (= audio books)
- Travel books
Hall 4:
- International publishers
- Broadcasters
Hall 5:
- Service providers in the book trade
- Art books
More details about the fair and contact information regarding reservations and tours can be found on the Leipziger Buchmesse web site. For those who already want to chart out their visit, here’s a quick link to the stand arrangement map. And don't forget about London Book Fair, taking part from 20-22 April, and BookExpo America, May 28-31!
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