Prague Book World offers an invaluable entry point into the dynamic Czech book market and the broader region.

Organised by the Association of Czech Booksellers and Publishers, the Prague Book Fair, also known as Svět knihy Praha (Book World Prague), is currently underway, drawing publishers, authors, and literary professionals from across Europe and beyond.

Held annually at the Výstaviště exhibition grounds in the heart of Prague, this event has become a cornerstone of the Central European publishing calendar.

International Focus and Industry Opportunities

This year’s fair, running from 15 – 18 May, is the 30th edition and has Portugal as the guest of honour, offering Portuguese publishers a unique platform to showcase their titles, forge new partnerships, and explore translation opportunities in the Czech and wider Central European markets.

The fair features a robust programme of professional seminars, rights meetings, and networking events, making it an essential destination for agents and rights managers. Key topics this year include the impact of artificial intelligence on publishing, digital transformation, and strategies for reaching younger readers.

Diverse Programming:

Over 550 events span genres, including a new comics/YA hall and the EU Prize for Literature announcement.

China’s pavilion, “Reading China”, highlights 600 titles on themes like sci-fi (The Three-Body Problem) and Sino-Czech children’s books.

Professional Focus:

The Central and East European Book Market (CEEBM), now in its third year, connects publishers with regional markets.

The Jiří Theiner Award honours Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, underlines literature’s role in defending free expression.

The festival’s commitment to freedom of expression was highlighted when organisers defended the display of Taiwan’s national flag at the Taiwanese literature stand, despite protests from China.

Other international authors attending include Polish Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk, Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov, Ukrainian novelist Andrej Kurkov, and American author Sam Holland.

A Gateway to Central and Eastern Europe

Prague Book World offers an invaluable entry point into the dynamic Czech book market and the broader region. The Czech Republic boasts a high literacy rate and a strong reading culture, with growing interest in translated fiction and non-fiction.

Expected footfall is around 60,000.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.