Ukraine at Leipzig Book Fair 2026
Ukraine continues to struggle for its freedom and cultural identity - a fight that is associated with great sacrifices. How the war is changing the country and how Ukrainian authors are processing this existential experience in literature is reflected in numerous events at Leipzig Book Fair. The Ukrainian stage and "Café Europa" showcase the impressive artistic range of a nation that is fighting imperturbable for its future.
Programme on Ukraine at Leipzig Book Fair 2026
Programme at the Ukraine stand (Hall 4 / Stand D311)
Programme at Leipzig Book Fair with a focus on all events on the topic of Ukraine
Visitors will find Ukraine's stand in Hall 4, D311. There will also be selected events at "Café Europa" in Hall 4, E401. At both venues, Leipzig Book Fair will bring important voices from Ukraine to the stage, providing moving insights into a country at war and presenting numerous new german translations of Ukrainian works.
Between resistance, responsibility and the future
The official grand opening of the Ukrainian stand will take place on 19 March . Wolfram Weimer, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), will open the stand.
On 19 March, Volodymyr Yermolenko, one of Ukraine's most prominent intellectual voices, will come to Leipzig. The philosopher will talk about his latest collection of essays, "Eine Kultur des Trotzdem" (A Culture of Despite) (edition.fotoTAPETA) about freedom and self-assertion – and about how Ukraine is not only fighting for its own survival, but also defending Europe's democratic ideals.
Author Evheniia Kuznetsova moves between political clarity and subtle humour: in the discussion about hatred and right-wing extremism as well as in her book "Cooking in Sorrow", an ironic yet affectionate look at Ukrainian culture through the lens of cuisine. On 19 March, the fair audience can learn from her how Ukrainians laugh even in the greatest adversity and prepare delicious meals from whatever is available.
On 20 March, Tamara Hundorova, one of Ukraine's most important literary scholars, will focus on women who challenged tradition and the canon and shaped Ukraine's cultural modernity. In her contribution "Women in Literature" she introduces writers such as Lesya Ukrainka and Sofiya Yablonska, who have had a lasting impact on literature and society.
On 21 March, two historians will take a fresh look at German-Ukrainian ties and their significance for the present day: Serhy Yekelchyk opens up new perspectives on the history of the Second World War with "Ukrainian Experiences in the Second World War" (De Gruyter) and shows how memory is being rethought in Ukraine today as part of a European conversation about democracy and responsibility. In "Die übersehene Nation" (The Overlooked Nation) (C.H. Beck), Martin Schulze Wessel sheds light on the shared history since the 19th century.
Iryna Fingerova will be a guest at Leipzig Book Fair on 22 March as part of the Ukraine programme where she will present her novel "Zugwind" (Rowohlt). In it, she tells the story of a young Ukrainian family doctor in Germany whose life is thrown off balance when bombs fall on her homeland. Between her everyday practice, feelings of guilt and torn identity, Mira tries to find stability – for herself and for the many Ukrainian patients who seek comfort from her.
How do children cope during war? How can words protect them when the world is shaking? To ensure that fear does not have the last word, topics such as war and changes in everyday life or in the family must be discussed openly with children. But how can we be honest without overwhelming them, and how can media, literature and images help to provide guidance, support and trust? On 22 March, Viktoria Murovana, editor-in-chief and producer of children's content for the Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, children's book author Katia Mikhalitsyna, Julia Kozlovetz, coordinator of the International Book Arsenal Festival in Kyiv, and translator Claudia Dathe will discuss these issues.
This year's appearance by Ukraine is the result of a strong network of committed partners. The stand was made possible thanks to funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The programme was funded and co-organised by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (BpB) as well as the Goethe Institute Ukraine, the Ukrainian Institute, the Ukrainian Book Institute and Mystetskyi Arsenal. Leipzig Book Fair provided the framework for this presence and made the stand space available.
Statement of the Book Fair Directors
The Conference of International Book Fair Directors strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As the creator of platforms where publishers, writers, agents, translators and illustrators can interact and engage openly and where free expression and critical voices are cherished, we categorically deplore the Russian regime’s use of force. We cannot remain either silent or indifferent to Russia’s transformation of Ukraine into a killing field. We, therefore, resolve to suspend contact with Russian state institutions and agencies and invite publishers and authors from Ukraine to exhibit in our fairs at no cost.
Signed by the International Book Fairs of Bologna, Frankfurt, Warsaw, Prague, Brussels, Guadalajara, Jerusalem, Gothenburg, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Taipei, Seoul, Leipzig and Budapest.