The Czech stand will extend over an area of 150 square metres and there will be dozens of literary events with 30 to 40 contemporary Czech authors. The Ministry of Culture hopes this will lead to more translations of Czech literature in German, which is a key translation language. The translation costs of books presented at the fair will be covered by the Czech Republic and the Leipzig Book Fair will pay for the books to be published. “This is great news for Czech Literature,” said First Deputy Minister, Kateřina Kalistová.

The organiser of the Czech stand will be decided this year and preparations will take three years.

The Leipzig Book Fair is the second largest book fair in Germany and focuses on Central, Eastern European and Scandinavian countries.