Weimer cancels appointments at the Leipzig Book Fair

Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer has canceled all his appointments on the first day of the Leipzig Book Fair. This was announced by fair spokesman Felix Wisotzki. Weimer will only speak as planned on Wednesday evening at the opening ceremony of the book fair. The Leipzig Book Fair is open to visitors from March 19 to 22.

The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media traditionally takes a tour of the Leipzig Book Fair. This was also planned for Weimer this Thursday. He was also scheduled to attend the opening of the Ukraine stand at the book fair and then take part in a panel discussion on freedom of expression at the German National Library in the evening.

Criticism of the Minister of State for Culture from the cultural sector

Weimer has recently come under fire several times. He had three left-wing bookshops removed from the nomination list for the German Bookstore Award due to "findings relevant to the protection of the constitution". The award should have been presented at the trade fair. Weimer eventually canceled the award ceremony completely. The Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers and Booksellers Association), among others, expressed criticism of the action.

Shortly afterwards, it became known that Weimer had decided against a long-planned extension to the German National Library in Leipzig. The plans have been suspended due to the uncertain budget situation of the federal government, a spokesperson announced. Weimer is aiming to collect digital works wherever possible in future. Numerous voices were also raised against this, arguing in favor of the extension.