Frankfurt Book Fair is not only about publishing rights and the book distribution business. Frankfurt Book Fair is a cultural event and a political nexus.
Catching up with PW's Andrew Albanese
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“Frankfurt Book Fair organizers have sought in recent shows to strike a balance between the need to do business—we’re talking about the biggest rights fair in the world, of course—with a chance to consider new technology, hear a diverse range of perspectives, be challenged to think about the traditional ways we’ve thought of books, and to see new opportunities for business,” says Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer, before heading to Germany for the annual industry ritual.
In a pre-fair interview with Juergen Boos, Frankfurt Book Fair President and CEO, Albanese heard about the trade show’s high ambitions.
“The political situation all over the world is very unstable, but actually Frankfurt looks very, very stable, Boos told me. He also pointed out that the fair is cultural event and a political nexus.
“Frankfurt Book Fair in 2019 is not only about an exchange of publishing rights, or the book distribution businesses. It is a chance to identify the opportunities and major strengths of the industry, such as diversity and acceptance, and free speech,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.
Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.
