New Georgian publishers’ association to represent country at Frankfurt Book Fair

The newly established Georgian Book Association will participate in the Frankfurt Book Fair, which will take place on October 15-19, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany.

The Georgian Book Association was founded in February 2025 as a response to the difficulties confronting the publishing industry. Its founders are a group of publishers and booksellers who decided to leave the Georgian Publishers and Booksellers Association and seek to “promote transparency, independence, and democratic values in the book industry.”

The association currently has 22 members, including large and small publishing houses and bookstores. Nato Alhazishvili, founder of the non-fiction publishing house Ziari Press, heads the association and is the organizer of the national stand in Frankfurt.

“October 2025 marks one year since the fraudulent parliamentary elections in Georgia. In the months that followed, mass protests drew hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom faced police brutality, arrests, torture, and unfounded criminal charges. Georgian literary figures, long known for leading protests, continue to stand with the people of Georgia in their fight for justice, freedom, and democracy. Our participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair and the presentation of a collective stand reflects this support and solidarity,” representatives of the association stated.

The theme of the Georgian stand (Halle 4.1 E77) in Frankfurt this year will be “Georgians who defend democracy and freedom,” reflecting the political situation in the country.

These are the publishers to present their publications at the stand:

• Artanuji Publishing;
• Bookmark Books in Vake;
• Intelekti Publishing;
• Palitra L Publishing;
• Polynomial Books;
• SOVLAB;
• Sulakauri Publishing;
• Zebra Group; and
• Ziari Publishing.

In addition, the Tbilisi-based publishing house of the private educational institution University of Georgia will participate in the national stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

The program presented by the Georgian collective stand also includes 12 literary events — details will be announced later.

As reported earlier, during the London Book Fair, International Publishers Association President and Georgian publisher Gvantsa Jobava criticized the Georgian Writers’ House and the Ministry of Culture for prioritizing government interests over those of national publishers.

RELATED: Rebel Georgian publishers: “We represent freedom to publish”

Images: Nato Alhazishvili’s Facebook page

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn