IN DEPTH


Freedom to publish The book fair conundrum


ENSUING PROTESTS LED TO A POLICE


PRESENCE AT LAST YEAR’S FAIR


CONTROVERSIAL EXHIBITORS AND


Book fairs face balancing act in light of political turbulence


Te Frankfurt Book Fair aims to mark the 70th year since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a campaign to highlight the importance of cultural understanding


Written by Natasha Onwuemezi


P


ress freedom, the waning influence of the West and self-censorship are some of the themes that are igniting this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, as the event marks the 70th year since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—which neatly dovetails with FBF’s own platinum anniversary. Supported by the United Nations and Amnest


International, Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Germany’s publishers and booksellers association) and FBF have created a campaign to “actively support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and stand up for respect, cultural understanding, and for a free and diverse world”.


The campaign, On the Same Page, aims to raise awareness of the UN’s charter and call “atention to abuses that need to be rectified”, and will feature discussions with German and international authors, industry experts and campaign partners. It will use the hashtag #OnTheSamePage on social media. “The right to free expression of opinion and publishing, to education, Continues overleaf 


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