women writers
The Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany opened this afternoon with a celebrated ceremony that highlighted Spain as guest of honor. The event featured VI and Letizia, who attended as representatives of a country richly connected to global literature. The King’s state visit to Germany was synchronized with his official participation in the fair, underscoring the central role Spain plays in world literature this year.
During the opening addresses delivered by the fair’s director, Juergen Boos, the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the prime minister of Hesse, Boris Rhein, the emphasis was clear: Spanish writers bring a vivid imagination and a powerful voice that resonates across borders. They spoke of how German readers are curious about the experiences and perspectives that Spanish authors bring to their books. The question of how Spain views global issues through its literary lens was posed, and the message was that Spanish storytelling can offer fresh, transformative insights. The king and queen listened intently, seated among the front-row guests, as Steinmeier articulated the significance of the exchanges happening on these four days.
The fair’s theme for the Spain edition is Creativity Overflow, a slogan chosen to celebrate a festival that will host a vast array of rights negotiations—an estimated 80% of annual rights purchases are arranged here within these four days. Steinmeier also used the moment to address the gravity of contemporary geopolitics, noting the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and warning that without the written word and the books that carry it, hatred and conflict would not be countered by informed discussion and empathy.
The monarchs were acknowledged for their celebratory and supportive role in this year’s edition. Spain’s status as guest of honor marks a return to the Frankfurt Fair after a previous appearance in 1991, even as the country has since undergone profound transformations in society, culture, and the economy. Since joining the European Communities in 1986, Spain has experienced rapid modernization, with information sharing and cross-cultural exchange playing a central part in shaping a more connected, literate society. The fair’s overarching motto for 2022, Turn. Movement. Convert, captures the energy of these shifts and the ongoing conversation about literature as a force for change.
women writers
One of the notable moments recalled by Antonio Muñoz Molina, who appeared alongside Irene Vallejo in the opening, was the growing presence of women in the literary ecosystem. He observed that female readers now constitute a majority of the audience and are taking on more defining roles within literary culture. Vallejo, who has written extensively on the importance of books and their cultural reach, pointed to translators as key architects of international literature. The sentiment echoed the idea that authors create literature, but translators build bridges that connect diverse voices across languages and borders.
The ceremony also highlighted Catalan musician Silvia Pérez Cruz, who contributed on guitar as part of the artistic program. After the formal opening, the King, Queen, and their guests, including German ministers, writers, and artists, toured the Spanish Pavilion to experience the showcase of Spain’s literary and cultural offerings, reinforcing the country’s prominent presence at the fair.