Confidence in German book trade ahead of Frankfurt Book Fair start

German book publishers expressed confidence on Tuesday ahead of the start of the Frankfurt Book Fair, reported dpa.

"We have come through one of the greatest stress tests in history in shape of the coronavirus pandemic," the head of the German book trade association, Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, said.

Turnover had been stable over the course of 2020, and the current year was providing reason for confidence.

Turnover on the book market had reached pre-coronavirus levels, and after the first 40 weeks was 0.7 per cent up on the figure for 2019, she said.

The crisis had demonstrated how firmly books were anchored in society, Schmidt-Friderichs said. "Social distancing did not become distancing from the book."

Canada is guest country this year at the Book Fair, which opens with a ceremony on Tuesday evening under the motto "Re:Connect." Visitors must be vaccinated against the coronavirus, have recovered from it, or have undergone a recent test.

Visitor numbers have been capped, and there are fewer exhibitors. A total of 2,000 publishing houses and companies from 80 countries are expected, and more than 300 authors hope to present their books and discuss social issues.

A central theme is to be: "How do we wish to live" in cooperation with the German-French television broadcaster Arte.