The Vienna Book Fair is the most important event in the Austrian book industry and, with many hundreds of exhibiting publishing companies, a place of inspiration and exchange. In addition to thousands of new publications, visitors can expect hundreds of events, stage talks, panel discussions, readings and lectures by German-speaking and international authors on major topics of the present day.

In 2008 the Vienna Book Fair replaced the Viennese Book Week, which had been held in Vienna’s City Hall since 1948.
Considering the fair has reached the status of being the main literary event in Austria, it still differs in scope from events such as Frankfurt or Leipzig. The primary goal of Buch Wien is to foster the relationship between publishers and their readers. Hence a great number of readings and discussions take place in event locations all over the city. In 2014 a new format called “The Long Night Of Books” was introduced as an opening event for the fair. Taking place in the main fairground hall, the format of a combination of a broad spectrum of reading and musical performances, a poetry slam, discussions and a challenging literature quiz, proved to be very successful, evoking a remarkable echo – both in the media and the public.

Buch Wien has established itself as a platform for intercultural exchange, focusing on the German-speaking book market and its related Central and Eastern European markets.

It is organised by Literatur- und Contentmarketing Ges.m.b.H, a subsidiary of the Austrian Publishers and Booksellers Association. The sponsors of the Vienna Book Fair are the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport, the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, the City of Vienna and Literar-Mechana Copyright Collecting Society Ges.m.b.H.

Read more on Aldus publication European Book Fairs: Facts and Figures