Ukrainian Books Around the World: Highlights from the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair
More than 650 Ukrainian publications, hundreds of international meetings, new prospects for translation, and discussions about the resilience of Ukrainian culture during the war. This was Ukraine’s participation in the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair, which took place October 7–11, 2026, in Germany. The International Renaissance Foundation served as one of the financial partners for the Ukrainian national booth and program.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is one of the most important events in the global publishing industry. This year, it brought together nearly 4,000 publishers and companies and 236,000 visitors from 137 countries around the world.
Ukraine presented one of the most extensive programs in the history of its participation. The national booth, organized by the Ukrainian Book Institute, brought together 47 participants who showcased over 650 publications. Over the course of five days, more than 30 discussions, literary events, and presentations of translations took place.
The Ministry of Culture, the Ukrainian Book Institute, Mystetskyi Arsenal, the Ukrainian Institute, and the Goethe-Institut collaborated on the Ukrainian program. Financial support for the pavilion and the program was provided by the International Renaissance Foundation and German partners.
“This scale alone changes perceptions of Ukrainian book culture: it shows that there is an entire industry behind it, a wide selection of books, and a professional community,” noted Anton Martynov, founder of the “Laboratory” publishing house.
Books that tell the world about Ukraine
One of the central themes of the Ukrainian program was the war and its impact on culture. Fairgoers were introduced to Ukrainian war poetry, documentary accounts, contemporary prose, and the stories of authors who are experiencing the war or participating in the defense of their country.
Participants in the discussions and literary events included Artem Chekh, Yaryna Chornoguz, Pavlo Belyansky, Myroslav Layuk, Maksym Butkevych, Volodymyr Yermolenko, and other Ukrainian authors and intellectuals.
An important part of the program was reflecting on the losses suffered by the Ukrainian publishing industry as a result of Russian aggression. In particular, the installation *Born / Burn Alive* featured charred books as evidence of the deliberate destruction of Ukrainian culture. And the nearly empty booth of the *Osnovy* publishing house served as a reminder of the consequences of the Russian attack, which caused the publisher to lose a significant portion of its book inventory.
At the same time, Ukraine’s presence in Frankfurt was not merely a story of loss, but also a demonstration of the cultural community’s ability to work, create new books, and develop international partnerships.
New contacts and prospects for translations
According to the Ukrainian Book Institute, approximately 230 professional meetings took place at the Ukrainian booth. Publishers established several hundred more contacts outside the booth.
This resulted in preliminary agreements to translate Ukrainian books in Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and other countries. Some of these contacts may develop into publishing agreements after the fair concludes.
Ukrainian publishers also participated in international professional programs, notably Volia and the Frankfurt Global Network, which help expand cooperation between book markets in different countries.
Participation in such events has long-term significance: it helps Ukrainian authors reach new readers, publishers find partners, and Ukrainian culture strengthen its presence in the world.
Ukraine in the Global Book Industry
The Frankfurt Book Fair also highlighted changes in the global book market. The role of audiobooks, digital formats, social media, and new ways for authors to engage with readers is growing. Interest in nonfiction, socially relevant fiction, graphic novels, and literature for young audiences remains strong.
For Ukraine, these trends open up new opportunities. At the same time, success in the international market requires not only compelling presentations but also systematic efforts in translation, author tours, professional networking, and the promotion of Ukrainian literature.
One of the long-term goals remains Ukraine’s participation as a guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair. This will require extensive preparation, sustained international cooperation, and investment in the development of the book industry.
Supporting Ukraine’s participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair is the International Renaissance Foundation’s contribution to strengthening the international presence of Ukrainian culture. After all, the opportunity to share Ukraine’s own stories with the world, develop independent book publishing, and build partnerships is a vital component of Ukraine’s cultural resilience.
This material is based on the publication by “Suspilne Culture”
