In times of crisis and instability, the Frankfurt Book Fair wants to be a place of discourse and togetherness. "Presence helps against polarization," said director Jürgen Boos at the start of the book show on Tuesday. Depicting social developments and tensions is one of the core tasks of the book industry and thus also of the fair. This is the only way to counteract a poisoned culture of debate, strengthen democratic discourse and give diversity a stage. And: "The book fair is the counter-model to an echo chamber."

The 74th Frankfurt Book Fair is scheduled to officially open on Tuesday afternoon. After two years with restrictions due to the pandemic, it will take place again without any major restrictions. According to the information, around 4,000 exhibitors from 95 countries have registered.

Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, head of the German Book Trade Association, spoke on Tuesday of a "cultural event for international understanding". Numerous debates, lectures and readings this week deal with current political issues, such as the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the situation in Iran and Afghanistan. For example, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is virtually connected to an event on Thursday.

Among others, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Spanish royal couple have announced that they will be at the opening on Tuesday afternoon. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia represent this year's Guest of Honour, Spain. The fair ends on Sunday with the presentation of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade to the Ukrainian writer Serhij Zhadan.