Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 features Czech Republic as guest of honor

The 78th Frankfurt Book Fair is set to take place from October 7 to 11, 2026, with the Czech Republic serving as the guest of honor. The event features a diverse program including over 1,000 speakers and a focus on Czech literature, supported by a significant state investment of approximately 197.7 million CZK to promote the Year of Czech Culture.

Key highlights include the presentation of the German Book Prize, which was awarded to Shida Bazyar for her novel ‘Die Lücken’. The fair also hosts prominent figures such as historian Jill Lepore, musician Wolf Biermann, and author Colson Whitehead. The event aims to address the current economic challenges facing the publishing industry, following a decline in revenue and book sales in recent years.

In addition to literary showcases, the fair includes specialized exhibitions, such as Czech book art at the Klingspor Museum, and film series celebrating Czech cinematic history. The schedule is slightly earlier than usual, coinciding with the announcement of the Nobel Prize in Literature.