After posting a general overview of the Frankfurt Book Fair 2015 (FBM) last week, here’s a closer look at the events and programmes that took place on the exhibition grounds. The beauty about books and publishing is that they cover anything and everything under the sun. Books are a medium that contains knowledge in every imaginable sphere. This breadth was also represented at the book for.
Trade Visitors
As with any trade fair, FBM is a platform for business. Trade visitors were there to discover books, negotiate, close deals and to build connections. This means that there were lots of meetings, particularly during the weekdays when it was only open to trade visitors as well as the press. The weekend was open to the public. Although, some business meetings also spilled over to Saturday and Sunday.
Discovering books and noting them down
Meetings at DTV
Deeply absorbed in discussions
Press conducting interviews
Last few business meetings over the weekend
Broadcasters
Lots of newspapers and magazines were represented at FBM. But beyond print, many broadcasters were there too. ZDF conducted interviews with authors at Das blaue Sofa (a literature show). ARD ran their own programmes, as did other broadcasters.
ARD broadcasting from FBM 2015
Cameras rolled throughout the book fair
Author Signings
Naturally, there were many author signings too. Publishers hosted them at either their stands or at the dedicated author signing tent outside. Big names from YA literature included Victoria Aveyard, Kerstin Gier, Kiera Cass and Jim Kay.
Jim Kay signing Crini’s illustrated Harry Potter edition
Events Corners
On the programme also were many smaller scale events that catered to specific groups. Even the Cabinet of Germany had programmes. One of these was a quiz organized for students, challenging their knowledge of Germany’s history. Another corner was dedicated to self-publishing where authors shared their experiences with aspiring authors.
Quiz organised by the Bundesregierung
Self-publishing area
Outdoor Tents
Stepping out of the halls leads to a large open space where tents were set up. These included the reading tent, author signing tent and open stage. Many programmes filled the time slots to entertain the book fair visitors.
The open stage
The reading tent
Visitors assembled inside the reading tent
Maite Kelly & Britta Sabbat performing their children’s book
Derek Landy talking about Skullduggery Pleasant
Gourmet Gallery
Beyond appealing to the visual senses with cookbooks in the gourmet gallery, culinary shows excited with amazing flavours. Cookbook authors brought their recipes to life during culinary shows. They shared tips and passed around food for viewers to taste.
Fattoria La Vialla bringing Italy to the table
Food tasting, risotto in hand
Trying La Vialla’s locally cultivated wine
The audience enjoying their drinks
No alcohol for this dapper boy, so he received cookies from La Vialla
Wrapping Up
There were countless programmes going on at FBM but these are the ones that I managed to capture during my time there. Of course, I loved the combination of books and food. If I could, I would’ve lugged home tons of cookbooks but I managed to keep myself in check. Instead, I took in as much as I could and let myself be amazed by all these sights.
FBM seriously looks like a lot of fun! I’m glad you had the opportunity to go and experience something so awesome :D
I was hoping this next post included pictures of you and others (friends!) in the community — do they not exist?!
Lol. Yes, they do exist! The people was gonna be Vol. 3 or 4! ;) And there’s Crini at Jim Kay’s book signing, so at least one friend is in this post. Haha.