The Special Program for Publishers from Ukraine and Neighboring Countries launched in Frankfurt

On October 14, 2024, a Special Program for Publishers from Ukraine and Neighboring Countries was launched for the third time by the Frankfurt Book Fair. Chytomo’s special correspondent reported that organizers received 100 applications and selected 15 participants.

The program is organized by the Frankfurt Book Fair in cooperation with the International Book Arsenal Festival and Goethe-Institut Ukraine, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office.

The program serves as a vital platform for publishers, editors, and rights and licensing agents to enhance skills and connect with colleagues from various countries. Participants include representatives from Armenia, Ukraine, Czechia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary.

The program aims to facilitate the professional development of participants and familiarize them with new practices in the publishing industry, as well as to strengthen cooperation between publishers from various countries. In addition to professional training, the program participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss opportunities for cooperation in the field of publishing rights and licenses.

The director of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, Peter Kraus vom Cleff, gave an introductory speech at the opening of the program.

Among the main problems and challenges of publishers worldwide, the director of the Association specifically mentioned the authoritarian regimes and rising censorship: “When we are publishing under pressure, there is always a risk of self-censorship,” vom Cleff said. “Autocrats hate books; keep that in mind,” vom Cleff added, recalling the words of Anne Applebaum.

Participants from Slovakia, Georgia, and Hungary confirmed Cleff’s words and shared alarming challenges faced by publishers in these markets: states are tightening control over cultural institutions and exerting pressure on freedom of speech, often using nearly identical scenarios.

Peter Kraus vom Cleff also named another challenge – the increasing individualization of digital services related to the development of AI: “As a result, we all find ourselves in our own bubble. This is why we need publishers.”

According to Niki Théron, senior manager of the international team at the Frankfurt Book Fair and co-coordinator of the Special Program, the situation in Germany regarding state funding is currently tense, as they have yet to receive confirmation of funding for 2025.

“We hope and we fight for it. The situation right now in Germany is unfortunately quite tense regarding public funding. So we still haven’t any funding confirmation for next year. Which is in three months. And the negotiations are quite tough this year. So we are fighting. We want a sustainable way to work with these countries. So we will do everything we can to keep it going,” Théron said.

Main image: Frankfurter Buchmesse, Nurettin Ciçek

Copy editing: Lea Ann Douglas