Leipziger Buchmesse 2025 Opens with Focus on Innovation and Global Literary Diversity

The fair celebrates its official return with new formats, international exhibitors, and a spotlight on pressing global issues.

The Leipziger Buchmesse 2025 officially began on March 26 at the Gewandhaus, featuring the awarding of the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding to Belarusian author Alhierd Bacharevič.
This year's fair introduces new exhibitors from Armenia and the Philippines, with the latter presenting works addressing climate change, colonialism, and social inequality.
Norway, the 2025 guest country, launched its program under the theme 'Dream in Spring,' though Crown Princess Mette-Marit canceled her attendance due to health concerns.
Innovative formats debut, including the 'Mensch & KI: Schöne neue Welt?' forum, which explores the impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, politics, and culture.
The event takes place during economic challenges in the book market, where rising book prices offset declining sales volumes, reflecting broader industry pressures.