Frankfurt Book Fair 2024

Events , Bookfairs / October 30, 2024

A Successful Debut for the Universal Art Group (UAG)

The Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 was a special highlight for the Universal Art Group (UAG), making its debut this year under its new umbrella brand. From 18 to 22 October 2024, we showcased an impressive selection of facsimile editions, art books, and replicas, celebrating the diversity of our partner publishers.

Our Partners at the Book Fair

Under the umbrella of the Universal Art Group, publishers and cultural institutions from across Europe come together, united by a shared commitment to art and printed cultural heritage. This includes renowned names such as Verlag Müller und Schindler, Faksimile Verlag, Eikon Editores, Kulturalis, and Haltadefinizione. Together, we placed a strong emphasis on the connection between tradition and innovation at this year’s fair, captivating visitors with a unique selection of high-quality works and new editions.

The Latest Facsimile Editions and New Book Releases

One of the highlights was the presentation of our latest facsimile editions, including Epistre Othea by Christine de Pizan, the Cocharelli Codex, and the Nassau Book of Hours:

Epistre Othea by Christine de Pizan: In the first decade of the 15th century, an illuminated manuscript was created in Paris, the richly illustrated work of an extraordinary woman: Christine de Pizan’s Epistre Othea, or Othea’s Letter, which became particularly popular with its hundred images of wisdom. This letter from the fictional goddess Othea to the fifteen-year-old Hector was intended not only to entertain but to teach – providing a unique glimpse into a fascinating chapter of European intellectual history!

Cocharelli Codex: The Cocharelli Codex is a manuscript in Latin composed of fragments, likely created in the first quarter of the 14th century in Genoa for the Provence-based Cocharelli family. This work addresses society’s virtues and vices, offering moral guidance. Today, its 27 leaves and excerpts are kept in three different institutions: the British Library in London, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence. For the first time, we are uniting these fragments into one single manuscript.

The Nassau Book of Hours: In Burgundy in the 1470s, one of the most remarkable and impressive Books of Hours of the Middle Ages was created. This splendidly illuminated prayer book features miniatures by the famous Vienna Master of Mary of Burgundy with countless decorative details like blossoms, vines, and hundreds of birds.

Book Presentation by Kulturalis

A special event was the presentation of the English translation of the poetry collection “I Caught Sight of My Face” by Petr Hruška, translated from Czech by Joshua Mensch and published by Kulturalis. Held at the Czech community stand during the fair, the presentation drew numerous literature enthusiasts. Petr Hruška draws on Antonio Pigafetta’s The First Voyage around the World ("Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo“) to view the present through the lens of the distant past. Rather than an epic of heroism, Hruška’s work reveals how little human behaviour has changed: still full of fear, insecurity, and violence. Jakub Špaňhel’s illustrations complement the poems, creating a powerful dialogue between image and text.

Kulturalis Buchpräsentation während der FBM 2024 ★ Universal Art Group

Our Merchandising Products – Art to Take Home

Another highlight this year was the successful integration of our merchandising products into our stand. For the first time, visitors could purchase a selection of notebooks, silk and modal scarves, as well as artistically crafted fabric bags from us, while also gaining insights into the original manuscripts. Additionally, we provided supplementary information on each manuscript, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the background and details of each work.

Guest of Honour Italy

As the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, Italy was especially in the spotlight this year. The Universal Art Group was delighted to have the opportunity to present several of its Italian-inspired works in the Guest of Honour Pavilion, including the aforementioned Cocharelli Codex, Tabula Cebetis, and the facsimile edition of The Book of Marvels by Marco Polo, which we publish together with our Italian partner Treccani. The Guest of Honour Pavilion provided us with a unique platform to highlight the long cultural connection between Italy and UAG and to underscore our commitment to Italian art and literature.

Gastland Italien FBM 2024 ★ Universal Art Group

Our Traditional Aperitif

To conclude Thursday at the fair, we invited our partners and friends to our traditional aperitif at our stand. The event was well-attended and provided an opportunity for lively conversations and a relaxed exchange. We were delighted by the high interest and look back on an inspiring evening filled with intriguing encounters and new ideas.

A Glance at the Future

The Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 was an exceptional success for the Universal Art Group, marking the beginning of a new era for us and our partners. Our debut as UAG demonstrated the powerful combination of longstanding tradition and innovative art communication. The numerous visitors and the positive response affirmed that we are on the right path to making art and culture accessible worldwide. We look forward to the upcoming challenges and to meeting again in Frankfurt!

Thank You

In conclusion, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing team and all our dedicated partners. The Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 was a resounding success for the Universal Art Group – and it’s all thanks to you. Your commitment, creativity, and passion for art and culture made this event possible and left a lasting impression on our visitors.

A special thank you goes to our partners – Verlag Müller und Schindler, Faksimile Verlag, Eikon Editores, Kulturalis, and Haltadefinizione. Together, we created a diverse programme, proving the strength of collaboration within UAG. We look forward to continued success together in the future. Thank you for a wonderful Frankfurt Book Fair 2024!