The Frankfurt Book Fair is an international book fair held in Frankfurt am Main which, according to iDNES.cz, is one of the largest events of its kind in the world.
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The Frankfurt Book Fair is an international book fair held in Frankfurt am Main. According to iDNES.cz, it is the largest event of its kind in the world [2].
The 2026 edition
The opening ceremony of the 78th edition of the fair took place on Tuesday, 6 October 2026 [1][2][3]. The Czech Republic was the guest of honour of the edition [2][3]. According to iDNES.cz, a Czech delegation of 75 writers was to take part in readings and debates [2].
Opening ceremony
The Czech culture minister Oto Klempíř and the German Minister of State for Culture and the Media, Wolfram Weimer, spoke at the ceremony [1]. Klempíř’s speech was interrupted several times by shouts from the audience, who shouted “shame” and mentioned his cooperation with the Communist State Security [1][2]. The speech was followed by lukewarm applause as well as whistling and booing [1][2]. In his address Klempíř recalled the role of Germany in supporting Czechoslovak writers at home and in exile during the Communist dictatorship [1][2].
After Klempíř, the writer Radka Denemarková spoke, saying that “ministers of culture who destroy culture and literature come and go, but culture and literature remain” [1]. In her speech she said that “two former collaborators of the Communist State Security” sit in the Czech government [1]. She added: “Today’s question is quite simple: an open democracy or a closed society. Literature knows the answer, which is why it is so dangerous” [1][2]. She also said: “How am I supposed to separate politics and literature at a time when Europe is turning brown” [1][2]. According to her, democracy is at present being reduced to “business and economic pragmatism” [1][2]. At the end the audience gave her a standing ovation [1].
The Czech poet Marie Iljašenko also spoke at the ceremony, calling for support for Ukrainian writers and saying that “Russian attacks destroyed 13 million books in Ukraine in the summer alone and caused damage of 25 million euros to the book industry” [1][2]. She added that “culture can be uncomfortable and must remain free” [1][2]. The chairman of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, Sebastian Guggolz, criticised in his speech the German minister Weimer for cutting funding for culture and education [1][2]. The musician Iva Bittová also performed at the ceremony [1][2].
Context
The opening of the fair followed the Czech government’s approval of a draft of the state cultural policy of the Czech Republic for 2026–2029, which, according to iDNES.cz, was criticised by the opposition and part of the cultural community, in particular over how the document was prepared [2]. In response to the objections, the Ministry of Culture said that, following a proposal by the Association of Czech Booksellers and Publishers, it had strengthened in the new policy the topic of reading literacy and the role of libraries, literature, authors and publishers [1][2].
Chronology
- — During the speech by Culture Minister Oto Klempíř at the opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair, where Czechia is the guest of honour, the audience called out in disapproval and whistled; writer Radka Denemarková then criticised culture ministers in her address and received applause. → Hospodářské noviny iDNES.cz
- — Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř criticised Czech writer Radka Denemarková's speech at the opening ceremony of the Frankfurt Book Fair, where she referred to his collaboration with the communist State Security in the 1980s. → ČTK / České noviny Seznam Zprávy
Pages that link here
Sources
- Hospodářské noviny — 6 October 2026
- iDNES.cz — 6 October 2026
- Deník N — 6 October 2026