Is the Frankfurt Book Fair still the heart of the publishing world?
The responsible director of Hazara Phoenix Publishing wrote about the changes and developments of this event on the occasion of holding the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026.
Culture and Publishing Service of Iran's Ambassador Arjan, Reza Hajiabadi, Director of Hazare Phoenix Publications: The reduction in the size of the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2026 and the reduction in the number of participants and the closing of Hall 6 once again raised the question of whether the traditional model of international book fairs is still effective in the face of fundamental changes in the world's publishing industry? Although this decrease in fortune has happened imperceptibly and slowly, it cannot be ignored.
Is the Frankfurt Book Fair declining?
The Frankfurt Fair, as one of the most important historical events of the publishing industry, still has an important place in the international exchange of copyright and the formation of cultural cooperation; But the increase in attendance costs, doubts about the return on investment, changes in business models and changes in the behavior of the audience, show that even the most prestigious institutions in this industry cannot consider themselves free from the need to review past patterns.
Of course, this evolution did not start from today. The relative decline of traditional publishing patterns in the West, along with the change of economic and cultural balances and the emergence of new publishing powers in the East and especially the Middle East, has been visible for years. The growth of regional exhibitions, the investment of Asian and Arab countries in cultural diplomacy, the development of translation markets and the increasing attention to non-western literature are signs of a gradual change in the geography of power in the international publishing industry.
One of the significant signs of this evolution can be seen in the expansion of the international activities of the Bologna Children's Book Fair; Where the people involved in this exhibition tried to use their expertise to hold similar events in other countries in order to earn more money and strengthen their brand as a cultural legionnaire, at the same time as the incomes and the popularity of the audience decreased. They played a key role in developing children's book programs in places like Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and Shanghai, China. This trend should be seen beyond the holding of a few new events: transferring the experience, specialized knowledge and credibility of long-established publishing institutions to markets that seek to strengthen their international position with investment and planning.
Statistical report of the last five years of the Frankfurt Book Fair
Although the official statistics of the last five years alone do not confirm the continuous decline of the Frankfurt exhibition, the closure of one of the halls and the field report of the attendees at the exhibition show signs of structural change and the emergence of challenges in the traditional model of international book exhibitions. A review of the official statistics of the Frankfurt International Book Fair from 2021 to 2025 shows that this event has experienced a process of recovery and growth after a sharp decline during the Corona era.
Of course, for a more detailed analysis, a difference should be made between the possible decrease in the attractiveness of the traditional model of exhibitions and the actual decrease in the number of visitors or publishers. One of the signs of changes in the traditional pattern of this exhibition in 2026 is the noticeable decrease in the number of exhibitors from 4,350 booths in 2025 to 4,000 booths in 2026, as well as the increase in the number of online meetings. In other words, the decrease in the number of exhibitors in 2026, along with the increase in attendance costs and technological developments, highlights the need to review the economic model and the operation of traditional exhibitions.
Official statistics of the Frankfurt exhibition, 2022 to 2026
Year of total visitors of publishers and exhibitors
2023 215,000 people, more than 4,000
2024 230,000 people more than 4,300
The role of social networks and artificial intelligence in the publishing industry
Along with these developments, the role of social networks and artificial intelligence should not be neglected. The challenges of the publishing industry began with the emergence of social networks; Media that changed the way to access content, study patterns, audience taste and marketing methods.
Perhaps in the distant years, social networks made a part of the process of the publishing industry, i.e. supply and advertising, undergo fundamental changes, but in the new times, artificial intelligence has been able to enter all the cycles of the publishing industry, from production to publishing, advertising and marketing. Today, artificial intelligence has brought this evolution to a deeper stage; A stage in which, not only the supply and distribution of books, but also the content production process, from writing and translation to editing, design and graphics, has undergone a change.
In such a situation, book fairs cannot rely solely on historical record, physical size, and repetition of traditional relationships. The future of these events depends on their ability to create real value for publishers, authors, literary agencies and translators; From facilitating the buying and selling of copyright and developing translation markets to creating professional connections, using new technologies and providing sustainable economic opportunities.
Historical opportunity for the country's publishing industry
But what is particularly important among them is the historical opportunity facing the publishing industry of Islamic countries and the Middle East. The countries of this region should not be satisfied with attending prestigious western exhibitions or following their established patterns. Targeted investment in publishing infrastructure, strengthening literary agencies, supporting two-way translation, creating regional copyright networks, developing cooperation between publishers in Islamic countries, and designing professional events that suit the needs of new markets, can become the basis for the formation of an internationally influential hub in this region.
Of course, taking advantage of this opportunity is not possible only by increasing the number of exhibitions or building bigger halls. What is important is having a clear strategy for developing the market, protecting the rights of authors, training an expert force, facilitating international exchanges and turning the cultural capacities of the region into real economic opportunities. The experience of countries that have been able to promote their literature and cultural products at the global level with continuous investment shows that international success is the result of long-term planning and a professional and targeted presence.
For the publishing industry of Iran, this matter is of double importance. Iran, with its rich literary background, capable writers and poets, significant capacities in the field of translation and experience in regional markets, can be a part of this new flow; Provided that it moves away from the purely domestic view and traditional patterns and turns the international presence into a sustainable strategy.
The need to review publishing processes
If the publishing industry of Iran and the world delays in seriously reviewing the methods of production, supply, marketing and communication with the audience, its gradual decline will not be far from expected. On the other hand, the countries that understand the technological changes and the relocation of the cultural and economic centers of the world earlier, can take advantage of this transition period to redefine their position.
Today, it is not just a matter of the Frankfurt exhibition becoming smaller or changing the structure of old exhibitions; The problem is the transformation in the geography of power and the publishing economy of the world. For Islamic countries and the Middle East, this transformation can be a threat to the continuation of past patterns or a historic opportunity to play a new role in the future of international publishing. Perhaps it can be said that the future of international book fairs will not be determined by their size and appearance, but by the effectiveness and value they create for publishing activists.
Now is the time for the publishing industry of Islamic countries and the Middle East to take this development seriously. Not to watch old patterns decline, but to actively participate in building new ones.
The presence of Hazare Phoenix Publications at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 for many reasons, including visa restrictions and the absence of an official Iran booth; It was limited to sending a representative of the copyright department.
The responsible director of Hazara Phoenix Publishing wrote about the changes and developments of this event on the occasion of holding the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026.
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