Leipzig Book Fair sets record attendance in uncertain times

Germany's Leipzig Book Fair has attracted more than 300,000 visitors for the first time in its history.

Around 313,000 guests came to the book fair, a reading festival and the Manga Comic Con, the organizers announced on Sunday, the last day of the event.

The fair surpassed the previous record set last year by 17,000 visitors. Over four days, 2,044 exhibitors from 54 countries presented their products and services in the eastern city.

Despite the party atmosphere, these are uncertain times for the German book trade. Last year, it suffered a 2.9% decline in sales after a long period of stability.

The German Publishers and Booksellers Association reports that the consumer climate remains weak due to the wars and crises around the world.

Added to this is political turbulence triggered by Germany's minister of state for culture, Wolfram Weimer.

His decision to remove three left-wing bookshops from the nomination list for the German Bookshop Award due to unspecified intelligence concerns was booed by parts of the audience at the opening of the fair.

The prize should have been awarded for the first time at this year's fair. However, the minister cancelled the event completely and suggested that the prize be developed further next year.

Next year, the Leipzig Book Fair will be held from March 18 to 21.

Before that, the Frankfurt Book Fair, the second-largest industry gathering in Germany, will take place from October 7 to 11.