Poland is set to be the guest of honor at LIBER, the Madrid International Book Fair, from October 4 to 6. A delegation of twenty Polish publishers will showcase the country’s latest literary innovations, underscoring Poland’s dynamic role on the European publishing stage and its ongoing efforts to reach readers across borders.
According to LIBER, the Book Institute, a public agency under the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, together with the Madrid-based Polish Cultural Institute, will lead a prominent Polish presence. The objective is straightforward: promote Polish editions in Spain while spotlighting the nation’s leading writers and publishers to an international audience.
The collaboration mirrors a broader strategy by the fair and the Spanish Federation of Publishers’ Associations (FGEE) to internationalize the book sector and strengthen cultural and commercial ties with markets showing strong growth potential for Poland. The initiative aims to connect Polish publishing with European and Latin American partners, expanding access to Polish literature and ideas.
At LIBER, Poland will host a 120-square-meter stand welcoming twenty publishers who will present the country’s editorial innovations. The space will function as a hub for dialogue, enabling attendees to meet directly with representatives from Polish publishing houses and the Book Institute to discuss translation, distribution, and collaboration opportunities.
Beyond the exhibition, Poland will organize a professional program featuring discussions that explore perspectives and experiences shared by professionals from Spain and Latin America in the book industry. The schedule emphasizes collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of new publishing models that resonate in diverse markets.
Key topics will include the development of children’s literature, the implementation of bookstart programs, and emerging phenomena within the book market. Attendees can anticipate discovering new Polish titles through curated tours of forthcoming publications and witnessing Poland’s literary landscape evolve as it expands internationally.
In addition to showcasing Polish titles, the LIBER fair will highlight the Book Institute’s offerings for foreign translators and publishers. This strategic component aims to make Polish literature more accessible to global audiences by facilitating translation and distribution partnerships.
The LIBER event in Madrid is organized by Ifema Madrid and supported by the Spanish Federation of Publishers Associations. The fair itself is backed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, reflecting official cultural diplomacy and a commitment to strengthening cross-border literary ties. In addition to national backing, the event receives support from ICEX Spain Export and Investment, the Community of Madrid, the Madrid City Council, and the Spanish Rights Center. Partnerships with Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) and the Madrid Publishers Association further reinforce the collaboration network surrounding LIBER 2023.
For audiences across Canada and the United States, LIBER offers a valuable link to Polish literature and culture. Through a combined program of exhibitions, author interactions, and translation initiatives, readers and professional peers in North America gain direct exposure to Poland’s contemporary writing, enabling new collaborations and broadening access to Polish voices in English and regional languages. The event highlights the importance of cultural exchange in widening literary markets and fostering lasting relationships among publishers, translators, and readers across the Atlantic.
Ultimately, Poland’s guest-of-honor status at LIBER signals a sustained commitment to international outreach. By pairing a robust publishing showcase with an active program of discourse and collaboration, Polish publishers and the Book Institute aim to elevate recognition for Polish storytelling and to create ongoing opportunities for readership growth across Europe and beyond.