The National Stand of Ukraine, organised by the Ukrainian Book Institute, will be in Hall 3.1, Stand C13. It will present books from 44 Ukrainian publishers. Beyond displaying new titles and catalogues, the publishers plan to meet international colleagues and literary agents—conversations that can lead to translations, rights agreements and longer-term cooperation.

The Ukrainian event programme is co-organised and coordinated by the Ukrainian Book Institute, Mystetskyi Arsenal, the Ukrainian Institute, Goethe-Institut Ukraine and the Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, bpb). Individual events are also organised by Ukrainian publishers and other cultural organisations.

On 8 October, a discussion at the national stand will examine war, memory and Europe’s changing geography. On 9 October, poet Yaryna Chornohuz will present the German-language collection Dasein – Verteidigung der Präsenz.

These events matter not only as cultural representation. An international book fair gives Ukrainian publishers a chance to identify readers, partners and routes into other language markets. The value of a meeting in Frankfurt, however, depends on what follows it: a manuscript requested, a rights discussion continued or a joint project developed.

The Ukrainian Free University in Munich was represented at the 2025 fair with its publications and held meetings with authors and publishing organisations. That experience illustrates both the visibility a national stand can provide and the importance of turning first contacts into sustained professional relationships.

For academic publishers as well as literary houses, the 2026 fair is therefore an opportunity to look beyond the exhibition itself. Its most lasting outcome will be the cooperation that continues after the stands have closed.

Vitalii Andreichuk