Full halls, crowds of people at readings, hustle and bustle in the aisles - the Leipzig Book Fair 2025 has become the expected colorful book festival this spring. The fair has recorded a huge increase in visitors. But despite the party atmosphere, there are also concerns. The book market is under pressure, and small publishers in particular are having a hard time. The German Publishers and Booksellers Association used the trade fair to once again campaign for structural support for publishers in Germany.
Börsenverein calls for support for publishers
According to the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, small, independent publishers in particular are under economic pressure. The industry association is therefore calling for structural support. So far, publishers have mainly been supported with various prizes awarded at federal and state level for literary programs. However, according to the Börsenverein, none of this is predictable and therefore not a basis for economic work.
The failed traffic light coalition had planned to examine funding in order to maintain the cultural diversity of the publishing landscape. In the view of the Börsenverein, the new federal government must now act. The acting Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth, who was at the book fair for two days, also drummed up support for the introduction of a funding system.
Wrestling for attention for books
Another topic that was frequently discussed at the four-day fair was the battle for readers' attention. Cell phones and computers are tough competitors - especially for young people.
In Germany, 1.7 percent fewer books were sold last year. According to the Börsenverein, the fact that total sales nevertheless increased by 0.8 percent was simply due to the fact that books have become more expensive.
