Fragility of Existence: Ukrainian program at 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair has been announced

The theme of Ukraine’s stand at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair has been announced as “The Fragility of Existence” with Iryna Tsilyk, Yevhenia Lopata, and Oksana Zabuzhko among the public figures scheduled to participate.

The fair, a pivotal gathering for experts and professionals in the publishing world, will run from Oct. 18 to 22.

“We are proud to present new books by Ukrainian authors in Frankfurt. Thanks to the efforts of dozens of people, we are presenting Ukrainian books at the fair, thanks to thousands, Ukrainian books will be translated and published in different countries,” said Oleksandra Koval, the director of the Ukrainian Book Institute, said in an announcement posted to the institute’s website.

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The Ukrainian national stand, located at Pavilion 4.1/B 82. , will showcase more than 500 books from 43 publishers. Talks regarding the sale and translation rights of these books are scheduled, with all time slots already filled. Numerous discussions and events, coordinated in part with Germany’s Ministry of Culture and Media, will fill the fair’s agenda. Topics will cover the resilience of Ukrainian culture and the impact of Russia’s ongoing military intervention in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Institute will present two multimedia projects on the platform. The audiovisual project “Discover Ukraine: Bits Destroyed” immerses the viewer into the world of Ukrainian monumental art. The project uses images of 56 pieces of mosaics from the 1960s and 1970s. More than a quarter of these works have been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Insight.UA, an English-language digital guide to Ukrainian culture, invites you to explore Ukrainian culture through various formats — from selection of Ukrainian films, exhibitions, and books to listening to playlists or watching online courses.

Several other Ukrainian organizations will also have a presence at the fair, including Mystetskyi Arsenal, featuring an “Art. Art Book. Design” concept and the Ukrainian Institute showcasing multimedia projects. The program will receive financial support from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, marking its second year of involvement.

Find full festival program here.

The announcement of the Chytomo Award’s shortlist is slated for the opening day of the fair, Oct. 18.

Main image: Aliona Solomadina/Ukrainian Book Institute