News
The organisers of the Leipziger Buchmesse held back their decision for a long time, but finally confirmed on Wednesday that they had to cancel the event for the third year in a row. This was justified on the grounds that too many major publishers had dropped out due to the uncertain pandemic situation.
This year's fair was due to take place from 17-20 March. This is the third year in a row that this second largest book fair in Germany has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"According to industry sources, large publishing groups such as Oetinger and Penguin Random House have cancelled their participation in the past few days," reports the German news agency DPA.
Despite the pandemic, the organisers of the Leipzig Book Fair intended for it to take place on the traditional March date, stressing that 75 per cent of regular exhibitors had confirmed their participation in 2022. Positive signals for the fair also came from the authorities in Saxony, where Leipzig is located.
The Leipzig fair was one of the first major events cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: Polish Press Agency (PAP), Marzena Szulc