Frankfurt Book Fair presents Guest of Honour country for 2026

The Frankfurt Book Fair hosted a presentation of the future Guest of Honour for 2026 — Czechia.

The event was attended by Jürgen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair; Director of the Moravian Library and head of the Czechia — Guest of Honour 2026 project Tomáš Kubíček; program manager Martin Krafle; writer and chair of the Association of Czech Publishers and Booksellers Martin Vopěnka; writer and translator Bianca Bellová; and poet and literary scholar Petr Hruška.

The organizers of the Czechia — Guest of Honour 2026 project have outlined several key objectives: expanding the presence of Czech authors in the German-speaking market, increasing the visibility of Czech literature in the English-, French-, and Spanish-speaking markets, supporting translators, and strengthening the international image of Czech culture.

The event also marked the launch of the Year of Czech Culture 2025–2026, a cultural initiative set to take place from Oct. 2025 to Dec. 2026 across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The program aims to deepen cultural connections between the Czechia and German-speaking nations through literature, the arts, and education.

The program will include various events, including author talks, meetings with illustrators and translators, conferences, exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, and educational activities. It is supported by cultural institutions, literary festivals, and diplomatic organizations, notably the upcoming German-Czech Future Fund.

The first segment of the program was introduced at the Frankfurt Book Fair, with further details set to be unveiled at the Leipzig Book Fair in March 2026 and during the main press conference at the German National Library on June 11, 2026.  The next step will be a national campaign to promote reading under the slogan “Reading for the National Team,” which will start in 2026.

During the event, writer and publisher Martin Vopěnka gave a presentation on the historical development of the Czech book market and its transformation after 1989. He recalled that after 1948, the industry was completely controlled by the state, and private initiative was  restored only after the 1989 revolution. Vopěnka himself started with a small, private publishing house without start-up capital at a time when there was a shortage of paper, distributors, and communications.

The Czech book industry currently generates a turnover of more than CZK 8 billion (over EUR 320 million).

Despite nearly 30% inflation over the past four years, the market has remained stable. The average price of a book has risen to 350 korunas (about 14 euros), and the zero VAT rate on book products has become an important factor in supporting the industry.

The number of new book releases in the Czechia has been gradually declining, dropping from 18,000 titles in 2008 to around 13,000 in 2023. Translated works make up approximately 40% of all publications, with English leading as the most frequently translated language—accounting for more than 3,000 titles every year.

Most publishers in the Czechia remain independent. The five largest companies account for about 23% of all books published. Entry into foreign marketstakes place  mainly through the export of finished books rather than through the sale of rights. Book distribution is under pressure from online trade, which today accounts for about 30% of sales. There are about 400 bookstores in the country, half of which are part of chains.

The Czech Association of Publishers and Booksellers has achieved several notable successes, including the introduction of zero VAT on books, compensation for library lending, government grants supporting original literary works, and the integration of books into the national social benefits system.

As reported earlier, Chile will be the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2027.

Images: Chytomo

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn