From October 16 to 20, 2024, Ukraine will be represented at the world’s leading book event, the Frankfurt Book Fair. Ukraine’s national stand, organized by the Ukrainian Book Institute, Mystetskyi Arsenal, the Goethe-Institut in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Institute, will showcase over 300 books from 31 publishers, including A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA, Vydavnytstvo Staroho Leva, Ranok, Vivat, and Nash Format. Mystetskyi Arsenal, Ua Comix, and renowned publisher Oleksandr Savchuk will also have their own stands.
“The voice of Ukraine is becoming louder, thanks in part to events like the Frankfurt Book Fair and the translations of works by Ukrainian authors into various languages,” emphasized acting director of the Ukrainian Book Institute Oleksandra Koval.
This year’s main theme for Ukraine is “The Return of the Voice,” highlighting the importance of restoring the national voice on the global stage. Over five days, authors, translators, journalists, and public figures will participate in international discussions focused on literature, art, and contemporary Ukrainian poetry. A particular emphasis will be placed on showcasing Crimean Tatar culture.
“This year’s Ukrainian pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair offers discussions and presentations set against these poles—between before and after, between two directions towards tomorrow—where nuanced conversations unfold, and voices can be heard,” explained curator and art critic Borys Filonenko about the stand’s concept.
Among the authors, journalists, intellectuals, and artists participating in the Ukrainian program are Oleksandr Mykhed, Sofia Andrukhovych, Nariman Jelial, Olena Stiazhkina, Mykola Chernov, and others. A full list in English can be viewed on the website.
“This year has been exceptionally fruitful for the translation of Ukrainian books into German. This is a clear testament to the fruitful collaboration of numerous institutions in both Ukraine and Germany, which have been tirelessly working since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion to ensure that Ukrainian voices are heard. We aim for a wider European audience to discover even more authors and public figures who demonstrate courage, resilience, and endurance every day,” emphasized co-curator of the program Mariia Shubchyk from the Goethe-Institut in Ukraine.
In turn, Mystetskyi Arsenal has dedicated its separate stand this year to the concept of “Life on the Edge,” which was the focus theme of the XII Book Arsenal. The institution will present new catalogs and a bilingual self-published work from the Dovzhenko Centre, created by the Kyiv bureau “Butsia.” This work explores the film adaptations of Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi’s works in honor of the writer’s 160th anniversary.
For the third consecutive year, a Special Program will also take place at the fair to support Ukrainian and international publishers, organized in collaboration with the Book Arsenal and the Goethe-Institut. This program will promote the strengthening of international ties and the sale of rights for Ukrainian books.
For detailed information about Ukraine’s participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair, visit the Ukrainian Book Institute’s website: https://bit.ly/4eADuHF.