Leipzig Book Fair 2021 Will Not Take Place – Selected Literary Events in May
The current pandemic and the associated measures and travel restrictions make it impossible for exhibitors, programme participants and Leipziger Messe to continue planning the Leipzig Book Fair. That's why the combination of the Leipzig Book Fair, Manga-Comic-Con, Leipzig liest reading festival and the 27th Leipzig Antiquarian Book Fair will not take place from 27 to 30 May 2021. Instead, live readings and publisher presentations are planned in the digital space as well as at selected locations in Leipzig to tide us over until the Leipzig Book Fair in March 2022.
"Until the very end we had been struggling to enable face-to-face meetings in the exhibition halls," explains Martin Buhl-Wagner, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe. "However, the gravity of the pandemic leaves us no choice. An event with more than 100,000 guests cannot take place while still guaranteeing the health of the guests and in accordance with the current legal regulations. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to cancel the Leipzig Book Fair, the Manga Comic-Con, the Leipzig liest reading festival and the 27th Leipzig Antiquarian Book Fair. Nevertheless, the public will not be left without literary events this year: In May, there will be a selected programme digitally and at reading venues in the city of Leipzig."
Carefully Selected Literature Programme Allows for the Necessary Flexibility
The focus of the series of events in May is encounter. Readings are presented on a digital platform. Furthermore, depending on the pandemic situation, there will be selected face-to-face events with an audience, including the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding and the Leipzig Book Fair Prize. "Our focus is on visibility. We want to bring writers and reading fans together despite challenging conditions," says Oliver Zille, director of the Leipzig Book Fair. "In the current situation, flexibility is of the utmost importance. With our programme, we want to respond to the circumstances individually. We will provide information about the details in due time."
All registered exhibitors at this year's Book Fair will receive information on the next steps regarding registration and event concepts.