It was supposed to be a celebration of literature again this year - the Leipzig Book Fair. And it was! Around 296,000 book enthusiasts visited the fair in Leipzig and over 3,200 events could be attended as part of "Leipzig reads". Under the motto "Words move worlds", books were discovered, exchanged and discussed.

Opening with a plea for the book
The fair opened with a festive ceremony on Wednesday, March 26. Belarusian author Alhierd Bacharevič received the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding - for his book "Europe's Dogs", which is banned in his home country. In his acceptance speech, Bacharevič made a plea for the book, the free word and freedom itself.

Very well-attended appearance by the Cultural Foundation and the Embassy in Berlin
In cooperation with the Liechtenstein Embassy in Berlin, the Liechtenstein Cultural Foundation once again organized a stand where new literary publications from recent times were on display for browsing. The Most Beautiful Books 2024 were also prominently represented at the stand.

"First and foremost, of course, I had the opportunity to present the P.E.N. Club Liechtenstein through its association publications "ZIFFERBLATT" and "pensum", but above all through four reading members at the stand. This was a great opportunity for our small club to draw attention to the literary work of our members," said Mathias Ospelt, President of the Liechtenstein PEN Club.

Readings on the "Global Perspectives" stage
Government Councillor Manuel Frick welcomed the numerous guests on the first day to the opening reading by Mathias Ospelt, PEN Club President, and Inga Hosp, member of the Liechtenstein PEN Club. The tandem reading was entitled "Narrated homeland from memory, experience and fiction". Ospelt read from his new book "Ebaholz" and Hosp from her book "Anders leben - anders reich: Geschichten von Leuten". Mathias Ospelt: "As far as my own reading is concerned, I was really pleased to be able to present my first novel at the fair. It's not all too often that I get to present my work in Germany. And then - as it turned out at the drinks reception afterwards - in front of a very interested audience."

The reading on Friday with PEN Club members Doris Büchel and Hans-Jörg Rheinberger was also very well attended. Doris Büchel read from her memoir "Wie lange ist nie mehr: Leben im Angesicht der Endlichkeit". Hans-Jörg Rheinberger read from his translation of "Gaston Bachelard, Imaginationen der Materie. Surrealism and post-war art". The motto of this tandem reading was: "We are finite."

Doris Büchel on her appearance in Leipzig: "It was moving to immerse myself in this sea of books and stories. The diversity of readers and book lovers, the exchange with authors and publishers, the lively atmosphere - it was all very inspiring. My personal goosebump moment? Reading from my own book in front of such an attentive audience. And in Leipzig, in this historic location. That was something very special. The encounters before and after and the wonderful reactions from people who didn't know my memoir or me beforehand will linger for a long time.

Both tandem readings were moderated by Gabriella Alvarez-Hummel in a very good and pleasantly refreshing manner.

Discussion with Liechtenstein participation on the TRADUKI stage Kafana
The extensive program of the literature and translation network TRADUKI was dedicated to the motto "Language, passport and two or three photos. New literature from Southeast Europe" to a wide range of topics: How do you write about war, flight, migration and the aftermath? Where do countries like Bosnia or Serbia stand today?

On Saturday, the Liechtenstein author of the book "Hatka - Was ich tragen kann", Jeanette Blank, took part in the panel discussion. She discussed with Vedran Džihic' and Sergej Lebedew about flight, exile, new and old homeland(s). The lively discussion highlighted different perspectives on flight and arriving in a new home.