From October 16 to 20, Latvia will take part in the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) with a national stand. This year, the fair will be attended not only by publishers and writers but also by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Agnese Lāce.
Latvia’s participation in the book fair is ensured by the Latvian Literature platform and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA).
“This year at the Frankfurt Book Fair, we will continue to bring international attention to translations of Latvian literature abroad, while reiterating our ambition and resolve to be considered for Guest of Honour status at the fair between 2028 and 2030. We will continue discussions on this matter with the Frankfurt Book Fair management, highlighting the diversity of Latvia’s cultural, literary and publishing landscape," said Latvian Literature platform representative Rita Dementjeva.
Latvia will be represented in four events at this year's fair. As part of the official program, on October 17 at 3:00 p.m. on the international stage (foyer between halls 5.1 and 6.1), translators into German will share their experiences on why they choose to translate literature from the Baltic states, with Bettina Bergmann representing Latvia. On October 18 at 3:30 p.m., at the Saxony stand (Hall 3.1, stand H91), Latvian writer and illustrator Lote Vilma Vītiņa will present her book “The Little Poet and the Scent” (published in Germany by Mirabilis Verlag as “Der kleine Dichter und der Duft”), and discuss her experiences in teaching creative workshops for children.
On October 17 at 5:00 p.m., there will be a reception at the Latvian stand, to which foreign publishers of Latvian literature and other collaborative partners are invited.
On October 18 at 10:00 a.m., Lote Vilma Vītiņa will visit the Frankfurt City Library for a reading and a creative workshop for children. Later that evening at 8:00 p.m., the Frankfurt Art Gallery KunstInAnderenRäumen will be hosting a meet-and-greet with author Jānis Joņevs, where he will present his book “December” (published by Parasitenpresse as “Dezember”).
To continue discussions regarding Latvia's application for Guest of Honour status at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Latvia's Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce will meet with Frankfurt Book Fair Director Juergen Boos, explore the pavilion of this year's Guest of Honour, Italy, and attend events highlighting Latvian authors.
Location of the Latvian national exhibition: Hall 4.1, Stand D2.
The exhibition stand in Frankfurt, like in previous years, is designed as the apartment of two characters – introverted writers I. and I. – created as part of the #iamintrovert campaign. This year, in the apartment illustrated by artist Reinis Pētersons, visitors will have the opportunity to take selfies in a designated photo corner and explore the virtual tour (rigabooktour.lv) created by the Latvian Literature platform.
This year, the stand will feature the publishers Latvijas Mediji, Zvaigzne ABC, Liels un mazs, Avots, Jāņa Rozes apgāds, Pētergailis, Aminori, Madris and the Latvian Publishers Association.