The Geneva International Book Fair wrapped up Sunday, March 23, 2026, after attracting 60,000 visitors over five days and celebrating its 40th anniversary. Organizers hailed the event as a resounding success, welcoming nearly 800 authors and some 250 exhibitors.
“Beyond a very strong attendance, this anniversary confirms the fair’s ability to bring together and sustain a major cultural event in French-speaking Switzerland year after year,” organizers said in a statement released Sunday afternoon. The 2025 edition also drew approximately 60,000 attendees.
The fair’s organizers noted the vibrant atmosphere, saying, “Full halls, palpable attention and long lines for signings: this 40th edition confirmed the deep connection between the public and the fair, and their continued desire for in-person encounters.”
Officials also praised the fair’s inclusive approach to the Francophone world. “From an independent publisher rooted in its territory to publishers from France, Belgium, Quebec, or the African continent, from established authors to emerging voices, from the most popular genres to the most daring writing, this edition showcased the vitality and richness of the book world,” they emphasized.
A Stellar Lineup
This year’s anniversary edition featured Laure Adler, Patrick Chappatte, Hélène Dorion, and Douglas Kennedy as guests of honor. For five days, the free event celebrated literature as a cultural and collective experience, fostering dialogue between forms, genres, and generations. The event’s success underscores the enduring appeal of literary festivals in a rapidly changing media landscape.
To mark the 40th anniversary, nine Geneva bookstores each hosted a local personality on Thursday evening to share their personal relationship with books and reading.
A dedicated space for the anniversary featured an exhibition and immersive installations. Two round table discussions looked back at the fair’s history while also considering its future, and musical performances punctuated the end of each day.
Among the invited authors were Laurent Mauvignier, Laurent Gaudé, Marie-Hélène Lafon, Laura Vasquez, Mélissa Da Costa, Gaëlle Josse, Nancy Huston, Pascal Bruckner, Nicolas Feuz, Christine Ockrent, Pierre Assouline, Akira Mizubayashi, and Mikhail Chichkine. The event also highlighted youth literature with a focus on manga and the 75th anniversary of Petzi.
This article was published automatically. Source : ats
