Frankfurt Book Fair 2013

160 German-language authors travelled around over 50 countries in 2012 at the invitation of the Goethe-Institut – attending readings, festivals, book fairs and writers‘ residencies. 289 German books from the genres of fiction, reference and children’s / young people’s literature were translated into 39 languages last year with the help of the Goethe-Institut.

The Frankfurt Book Fair events give a vivid impression of the themes, formats and people with whom we work – in the field of literature and beyond. As part of the discussion platform “Weltempfang – Center for Politics, Literature and Translation”, Goethe’s president Klaus-Dieter Lehmann hosts discussions with experts and anyone personally affected from Greece, Spain and Portugal about youth unemployment, possible solutions and what contribution the Goethe-Institut can make in this situation. Secretary general Johannes Ebert takes a look at the role of art and culture in the Arab world of today with high-profile artists from Egypt and Tunisia. Authors and publishers from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Spain and Germany discuss children’s literature as a medium of cultural exchange and cultural identity.

The “Germany + Brazil 2013-2014” year was officially opened in São Paulo in May 2013. Brazil is guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair. In this context the Goethe-Institut launched a number of literature projects, ranging from promoting translation to residencies for German authors in Brazil. Ilija Trojanow, Kathrin Passig, Olga Grjasnowa and Carmen Stephan are speaking at the Book Fair about their work and their experiences in Salvador-Bahia, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza. Interviews with authors Carola Saavedra and Jasmin Ramadan, comic artists Paula Mastroberti, Birgit Weyhe and Mawil as well as other interview panels highlight exciting aspects of the cultural relations between the two countries. Sports fans can look forward to a match between the German and Brazilian Authors’ Teams.

You can visit us at our stand too! Our team looks forward to discussions about literary exchange, promoting translation and the international activities organised by the Goethe-Institut. Where? Hall 5.0, D 100

Find out about this and more from us. We look forward to meeting you!