Frankfurt Book Fair bids farewell to Juergen Boos after 21 years
Juergen Boos will retire as head of the Frankfurt Book Fair at the end of October 2026 after 21 years in charge.
This year's Frankfurter Buchmesse, scheduled for 7-11 October 2026, will be his last as chief executive, Publishing Perspectives reported. Boos joined the fair in 2005. His departure closes a career in publishing of more than 40 years.
Joachim Kaufmann was announced at the start of the year as his successor to lead the fair. That handover brings to an end one of the longest leadership runs in the book-trade calendar.
Boos is not disappearing from books entirely. He said he will be in Mexico for the Guadalajara Book Fair in December after retiring.
The farewell edition keeps the fair's usual blend of rights business and public events. A rights fair, in plain terms, is where publishers buy and sell the permission to publish books in other languages and formats. Czechia is Guest of Honour this year, meaning one country is spotlighted across readings, exhibitions and talks.
The Czech spotlight is large. A total of 75 Czech authors will attend, according to the Frankfurter Buchmesse. Its programme features more than 100 literary and cultural events, the fair said in a press release.
Technology and listening are high on the agenda. The 2026 fair will include numerous events addressing AI. It will also include audio events with Audible and Spotify, as publishers chase listeners as well as readers.
Politics and culture get their own stage too. Frankfurt Calling, the fair's cultural and political programme, returns as part of the week. Expect debate alongside book launches.
The diary starts before the doors open. The Opening Press Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 October 2026 at 11:00 a.m. CEST at the Dialogue Stage, Foyer Hall 4.0. The Book-to-Screen programme, which links books with film and television adaptations, will open on 8 October 2026 with "The Art of Making Things Happen", according to the fair.
What makes this stand out is the double draw. Regulars get a last chance to see Boos open the fair he shaped since 2005. Newcomers get Czech writing, screen pitches and sharp talk about AI and audio in one week.
