Minister of Culture Timon Gremmels presents a diverse program in Hall 3.1
Wiesbaden. Hesse's diverse literary and publishing landscape will once again be presenting itself at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair : In Hall 3.1, Stand D 99 , the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture (HMWK) , the Hessian Literature Council and the Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland regional of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association invite you to readings, discussions, and encounters. The complete program is available at kunst.hessen.de/buchmessestand .
Focus topic 2025: Vocabulary – Participation through reading skills
For the first time, this year's focus will be on "Vocabulary Treasures – Participation through Literacy ." Minister of Arts and Culture Timon Gremmels emphasizes:
"Those who enjoy reading and are good readers open themselves to other perspectives and participate in social discourse. Promoting reading and a vibrant publishing landscape are central pillars of our democracy."
The joint stand offers small Hessian publishers and literary institutions the opportunity to present themselves internationally.
Highlights on the public days (17–19 October 2025)
Friday, October 17
- 11 a.m.: "When Reading Becomes a Hurdle – Promoting Reading Without Age Limits" with Christoph Degen (HMWK), Ralf Beekveldt, Marion Döbert, and Richard Kirsten. Hosted by Rebecca Schmidt.
- 12 noon: Lina Thiede , winner of the Robert Gernhardt Prize, reads from her novel Sometimes you know what will happen .
- 2 p.m.: Discussion with the winners of the Hessian Publishing Prize 2025 , Mabuse-Verlag and Wochenschau-Verlag.
- 3–4 p.m.: Translator Katrin Pitz talks about her work between Norwegian and German literature.
Saturday, October 18
- 12 noon: Katja Kullmann talks about her novel Stars .
- 1 p.m.: Jutta Schubert reports on her writing time in Prague.
- 3 p.m.: Ines Berwing gives insights into her poetry work.
- 4 p.m.: The Association of German Writers in Hesse presents new publications by Hessian authors.
Sunday, October 19
- 12.30 p.m.: Katharina Hartwell talks about her book Great Loves and Social Role Models.
- 1 p.m.–1:30 p.m.: Readings by C. Juliane Vieregge and Lukas Meschik .
- 2.30 p.m.: Children's program with Annett Stütze and Britta Vorbach present the third part of their trilogy Saviors of the Dragons
Events for the specialist audience
Wednesday, October 15
- 3 p.m.: Reading of The Bag with Kornelia Wald and Houssein Kahin , moderated by Miriam Dold .
- 3.30–6.00 p.m.: Reception with Ingo Schulze (German Academy for Language and Literature) and Georg Büchner Prize winner Ursula Krechel , who will read from her new novel Dear Minister .
Thursday, October 16
- 11 a.m.: Discussion “What Remains? – Strategies for the Future of Cultural Heritage” with David Dilmaghani (HMWK) and Dr. Ulrike Lorenz (Klassik Stiftung Weimar).
- 2 p.m.: Panel "Reading crisis? Why we can't afford a society with poor reading skills" with Christoph Degen , Fenja Wambold , and Fabian Wolbring .
- 2:30 p.m.: Discussion "Reading – Sure. But how do you get people excited about it?" with Peter Kraus vom Cleff , Martin Ebbertz , and Lena Stenz .
Meeting point for literature lovers
"Literature in Hesse" booth will be open to the public from October 17 to 19, 2025. Visitors can expect a diverse program with readings, discussions, and insights into the creative work of Hessian publishers, authors, and translators.
Further information: www.hmwk.hessen.de
(RED/LH)
