Setting an example for democracy, freedom and diversity: The German Book Trade Association and the Leipzig Book Fair are launching the #DemocracyVoteNow initiative at the 2024 Leipzig Book Fair.

Against the background of increasing attacks on basic democratic values such as human dignity, freedom and tolerance and in view of the European elections and three state elections this year, the initiators would like to send a strong signal from the spring fair to the book and media industry. At the trade fair and on social media, people are invited to campaign for a democratic and diverse society.

The German book industry’s initiative for the Leipzig Book Fair 2024

Trade fair visitors can vote with the motif “Democracy. Now.” on photo walls in the glass hall and in halls 2 and 5. You can post the pictures on social media under the hashtag #DemocracyVoteNow along with your personal statement for democracy. Today we're starting with seven artists who are making short video statements about why democracy is important to them. The campaign motifs can also be seen in many places on the exhibition grounds and in Leipzig city centre during the trade fair.

“Freedom, democracy and diversity are not self-evident, but rather values that are always worth fighting for. At the Leipzig Book Fair, we do this from a fundamental position by standing up for diversity and freedom of opinion, for constructive exchange and tolerance. These values are essential for literature in all its diversity. Together with the German Book Trade Association, we want to send a strong signal that is absolutely necessary in these turbulent times,” says Astrid Böhmisch, Director of the Leipzig Book Fair.

Open from Thursday, March 21st, 2024, 10 a.m. to Sunday, March 24th, 2024

“Now is the time to stand up for the future of our democracy! We can all have a say in which Europe and Germany we want to live in in the future through our commitment, through conversations in our surroundings and by voting. As a book industry that makes an important contribution to the formation of opinions and debates in our society, we see ourselves as having a particular responsibility to advocate for democratic principles. We are happy if many people show their colours together with us during the Leipzig Book Fair,” says Peter Kraus vom Cleff, General Manager of the Börsenverein.

Current questions about democracy and society will also be discussed on numerous stages during the trade fair. The Open Society Forum (Hall 2, Stand E600) focuses on topics such as democracy and the shift to the right, crises and wars, fake news, freedom of expression and human rights. Authors and representatives from politics, culture, science, activism and the media take part in the discussions. The Börsenverein invites, among others, the following discussion rounds: “Reading, informing, voting – strengthening democracy and parliamentarism!” (March 21, 2024, 3:15 p.m., Open Society Forum), “Freedom – Democracy – Cultural Diversity: This is Europe!” (March 22, 2024, 1:20 p.m., Glashalle Literaturbühne), “We have the choice” (March 22, 2024, 4:15 p.m., Open Society Forum).

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