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As the Frankfurt Book Fair comes to a close, its organisers couldn’t be happier with how it has gone and with attendances, notwithstanding the little hiccup of Friday’s train strike.
‘I walked around Hall 8 yesterday afternoon and the word on the street was very positive,’ noted Thomas Minkus, Frankfurt’s Director of Marketing and Press & Corporate Communications (pictured). ‘Comments ranged from “the best fair ever” to “a good working fair”. Publishers were extremely pleased. We had the same response from the Literary Scouts & Agents Centre.’ Minkus noted that he had heard of ‘lots of medium-sized deals’ being made, beyond the headline-grabbing big-money trading.
The weekend at Frankfurt brings an influx of consumers to the fair and a gradual reduction in rights activity, as international publishers and agents start to wend their way home. Some publishers in Hall 8 (the English-language hall) would be glad to see the hall closed on Sunday, one suggestion under discussion at a meeting of national stand directors yesterday. While Minkus concedes Sunday is less important for Hall 8, he points out the weekend presents ‘an excellent opportunity to walk around the halls for market research’ - to see the different designs and subjects being published in other markets. Given some arrive in and leave the fairgrounds without venturing outside Hall 8 at all, that’s not bad advice.
Another feature of the fair appears to be the growing amount of activity taking place in Frankfurt’s hotels and elsewhere on the days leading up to the fair’s official Wednesday opening. While Minkus sees this activity as very much part of the fair’s culture, he sees no role for the fair in giving these pre-fair activities more structure: ‘We need to make the fair as easy and convenient as possible for everybody but we shouldn’t over-organise,’ he said. ‘The agents’ and press centres are open on Tuesday already, and that’s probably enough.’
Minkus adjudged the Catalan Guest of Honour presence a great success, with Catalan writers Quim Monzó and Maria Barbal two of the superstars of the fair. ‘I’m extremely pleased that we now know what Catalan Culture means. It’s been arguably the most modern and diverse Guest of Honour appearance for years.’
The highlight of Minkus’ fair was the reading by controversial female Turkish novelist Elif Shafak at today’s official ceremony to hand over to next year’s Guest of Honour, Turkey. ‘It sends a signal that our next Guest of Honour will try to present Turkey as it really is, not a glossed-over version.’
So, can we expect changes to next year’s Frankfurt Book Fair? Minkus anticipates ’some tweaking here and there’: a new-look website, further expansion and internationalisation of the fair’s “Education for the Future” programme, as well as ongoing support for the Cape Town and Abu Dhabi International Book Fairs. And maybe this blog will continue too.
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15. October 2007
11:39 Uhr
Adiussiatz,
I’ll want to know how many french medias were presents in Frankfort, how they manage with their medias to show the Franckfurten BucheMess ?
Thanks for yours answers.
Jacme Delmas
17. October 2007
04:14 Uhr
According to Frankfurt’s press directory, there were 32 accredited members of the media from France at the fair. It’s hard to measure the coverage they might have generated, however. My colleagues at the fair may use a clippings service to monitor coverage fo the fair - I’ll try and find out. - Andrew
17. October 2007
11:50 Uhr
Although a little late, I’d like to comment on Mr Minkus’s reference to Hall 8 closing on Sundays. Perhaps it is a good opportunity to see other halls, but it is also a nightmare for anyone with a stand at the fair, since the public visiting the fair expects gifts and handouts and, logically, does not understand the rights business. I would suggest that the Buchmesse consider very carefully the option of creating a specific area for the public in one of the other halls, or in the Forum, where fair exhibitors could display their books if they wish to be in touch with the public. All other halls should be strictly for professionals. We already have barcoded passes, so why not use these to ensure access to professional halls is only for those working there. And please would the Fair remove those silly “security” controls on hall 8, which only serve to irritate - or install proper security checks in and out of the halls to avoid theft!
Here’s to a successful Buchmesse 2008
Angela