The Buch Wien opens a new chapter. Austria’s major book fair will, for the first time in 2027, present a focus country. The debut will be made by the Czech Republic. With this, the organizers aim to further strengthen the international significance of the Vienna literary event and particularly expand cultural exchange with Central and Southeastern Europe.

The decision was announced on Thursday. The corresponding contract was signed during the Frankfurt Book Fair. Initial details about the planned Czech appearance are to be presented at this year’s Buch Wien in November.

With the Czech Republic, Buch Wien has chosen a neighboring country whose literature is also in the international spotlight. The country will be the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2026 and will present its literature in Vienna the following year.

The agreement was signed by the Czech Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř, the President of the Austrian Publishers and Booksellers Association, Benedikt Föger, and Buch Wien Managing Director Patrick Zöhrer.

„With the Czech Republic as the first focus country, we are setting an important precedent for the international expansion of Buch Wien,“ explained Zöhrer.

The focus on Central and Southeastern Europe already has a tradition at the event and is expected to continue playing an important role in the future.

Exactly how the Czech Republic will present itself at Buch Wien 2027 is not yet known.

Initial insights are to be given on November 25, 2026. On this day, the opening evening of this year’s Buch Wien will take place.

Martin Krafl, program manager of the Czech guest appearance at the Frankfurt Book Fair, expressed his delight at the decision.

„Being chosen as the first country for this makes us particularly happy and proud,“ explained Krafl.

Which authors will come to Vienna in 2027 and which events are planned have not yet been announced.

Already this year, the book fair is putting a special focus on another European country.

Under the title „Update Ukraine,“ twelve Ukrainian guests will be invited to Vienna. The program aims to provide insights into the country’s literature and social debates.

The announced guests include several internationally known personalities:

The project is being developed with the support of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media, and Sports, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) is also among the cooperation partners.

Another highlight of Buch Wien 2026 is the awarding of a new literature prize.

On the occasion of Ingeborg Bachmann’s 100th birthday, the German-Austrian Poetry Prize will be awarded once.

The award aims to honor contemporary German-language poetry and is supported by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

The ceremonial award ceremony will also take place on November 25, 2026.

Among those announced are the German Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer and Austria’s State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn.

Who will receive the award and the amount of the endowment are not disclosed in the current release.

With the introduction of an annual focus country, Buch Wien aims to expand its international profile.

The Czech Republic will be the starting point. Which countries might follow in the coming years has not yet been announced.

The new orientation complements the previous international program focuses of the fair. As early as 2026, additional highlights are to be set with „Update Ukraine“ and the German-Austrian Poetry Prize.

For literature enthusiasts, there are already several announcements before the next Buch Wien that indicate an internationally influenced program.

(Ed.)

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