Abdulrazak Gurnah, Donna Leon, Alok Vaid-Menon, Diane Kruger and many more: #fbm22 highlights for the general public at a glance

Live at last: visitors to Frankfurter Buchmesse 2022 will experience acclaimed authors, inspiring talks and stimulating discussions live on the main stage in the Congress Center, in the Frankfurt Studio, in the Frankfurt Pavilion and, during the evening, at BOOKFEST city events throughout Frankfurt.

Speakers in Frankfurt will include Abdulrazak Gurnah, recipient of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, who will talk about his latest novel and the challenges of translation (22 October, 11am – 12pm, Frankfurt Pavilion, Agora). Bestselling authors Mohsin Hamid, Donna Leon and Leila Slïmani and Grufallo illustrator Axel Scheffler will also present their most recent books.

As part of their German tour, non-binary artist Alok Vaid-Menon from the United States will present their newest book "Mehr als binär" ("More Than Binary") in Frankfurt. In making their art, Alok uses poetry, comedy, performances, readings, soundscapes, fashion design, self-portraits and social media – and has over one million followers on TikTok and Instagram (Sunday, 23 October 2022, 12.30–13.00 pm, Frankfurt Studio). On Saturday, the German-American actor Diane Kruger ("Troy", "Inglourious Basterds") will present her children’s book "Dein Name" ("Your Name"), which is dedicated to her daughter and which looks at her childhood in Germany (Saturday, 22 October, 1.30–2.30 pm, Harmonie Hall, Congress Center).

On Friday, young authors and opinion leaders will discuss today’s culture of debate at the event “Und jetzt? Ein Nachmittag zur Zukunft der Gesellschaft von ARTE” (And now? An afternoon on the future of society, from ARTE / 21 October, 5.00–6.00 pm, Frankfurt Pavilion, Agora). The day will conclude with a concert featuring the Ukrainian author and musician Serhiy Zhadan, recipient of the 2022 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.

We are currently facing major challenges: pandemics, climate change, wars. How can we remain hopeful? What are the best, most scintillating ideas in literature, art and politics? Actress and content creator Zai Sylla and authors Ann Mbuti, Tupoka Ogette and Teresa Bücker will talk with journalist Amna Franzke about these issues on Saturday evening in the Frankfurt Pavilion (8–10 pm).

Rethinking society will also be the topic during Luisa Neubauer’s book presentation ("Gegen die Ohnmacht. Meine Großmutter, die Politik und ich" / "Against Powerlessness. My Grandmother, Politics and Me"). She wrote her latest work together with her almost 90-year-old grandmother Dagmar Reemtsma (Saturday, 22 October, 10.30–11.30 am, Harmonie Hall, Congress Center).

Children and fans of quality literature for children and young adults will be in their element at the weekend, when many additional readings take place in the Congress Center and the Frankfurt Pavilion. Authors will include Alice Pantermüller and Daniela Kohl ("Mein Lotta-Leben" / "My Lotta-Life"), Tatjana Kiel and Dr Wladimir Klitschko (digital) ("Wil, der Wolkenstürmer" / "Wil, the Cloud Striker"), Paul Maar ("Das Sams und die große Weihnachtssuche" / "Sams and the Great Christmas Hunt"), Detlev Jöcker and Marcus Pfister ("Der Regenbogenfisch" / "The Rainbow Fish"), Katja Brandis ("Woodwalkers Staffel 2" / "Woodwalkers Series 2") and Silke Schellhammer ("School of Talents").

Those who like their stories colourful or as performances can attend the finals of the German Cosplay Championship (Sunday, 23 October, 1.30 pm, Congress Center) and the TikTok stage (Sunday, 23 October 2022, 10.00 am – 5.00 pm, Agora).

In 2022, the BOOKFEST programme will once again delight literature fans at over 20 locations in Frankfurt – with guests like Elvira Sastre and Donna Leon.

Many authors will also be signing their works in the signing tents on the Agora. Alok Vaid-Menon, Charlotte Link, Kirsten Boie and many others will be present on site.

All events and authors can be found in the Calendar of Events at www.buchmesse.de/en/visit/calendar-events(opens in a new window) and here(opens in a new window).

New: book sales will take place this year from Friday to Sunday.

Are you planning to attend Frankfurter Buchmesse 2022?
Apply now for press accreditation online before 14 October 2022 via My Book Fair(opens in a new window).
There will be no press accreditation at the fairgrounds.