Frankfurt Book Fair's Political Shift Sparks Counter-Events
The Frankfurt Book Fair, established in 1949 with a mission to foster a 'new intellectual Germany' free from censorship, has faced recent challenges. Smaller publishers' participation has declined, and the fair now hosts mainly state-subsidized entities and politically conformist publishers. Controversies surrounding right-wing exhibitors have escalated, leading to counter-events and protests.
Walter Kolb, the SPD mayor, first articulated the fair's mission in 1949. However, the 'Corona years' saw a decrease in smaller publishers' involvement, with state-backed entities and politically aligned publishers dominating the exhibition areas. Tensions rose from 2018 when the fair began isolating right-wing exhibitors, leading to harassment.
The fair's evolution has sparked counter-events. In 2025, a broad coalition of civil society organizations and city officials in Halle organized the 'Wir' Festival to oppose the 'Seitenwechsel' book fair and its right-wing publishers. This alternative event, with over 60 exhibitors including JUNGE FREIHEIT, will take place on November 8-9, 2023. Dresden bookseller Susanne Dagen launched the 'Seitenwechsel' fair in 2017 as a protest against the fair leadership's handling of right-wing publishers. The newspaper has witnessed these changes since its presence at the fair in 1991.
The Frankfurt Book Fair's evolution reflects broader societal shifts and debates. While initially neutral, the fair leadership now publicly opposes right-wing publishers. Counter-events like the 'Wir' Festival and 'Seitenwechsel' fair highlight the ongoing dialogue and tension surrounding political diversity and intellectual freedom at the fair.
