Seitenwechsel Fair Evolution

Halle's 'Seitenwechsel' Fair: From Alternative to State-Subsidized

The 'alternative book fair Seitenwechsel' in Halle, launched by Susanne Dagen in 2008, aimed to provide an alternative to the political landscape of the Frankfurt Book Fair. However, the fair's atmosphere and participants have evolved significantly over the years, with increasing controversies surrounding right-wing publishers and a shift towards state-subsidized exhibitors.

Initially, the fair offered an alternative to the political monotony in Frankfurt, attracting smaller publishers and independent voices. However, the Corona years took a toll, with many smaller publishers leaving due to economic reasons. The fair's leadership maintained neutrality until 2017, when they publicly opposed 'right-wing publishers' for the first time. This marked a turning point, with the fair's atmosphere gradually changing over the years.

This newspaper has attended the fair since 1991, witnessing these changes firsthand. In 2017, Susanne Dagen, a Dresden bookseller, protested against the fair leadership's handling of right-wing publishers with 'Charter 2017'. Today, the fair is dominated by state-subsidized NGOs and politically conformist publishers, with over 60 exhibitors including JUNGE FREIHEIT. However, this shift has also led to a decline in smaller publishers' participation, as restrictions increased from 2018 onwards.

The 'Seitenwechsel' fair in Halle, once an alternative to Frankfurt's political landscape, now finds itself dominated by state-subsidized exhibitors and a politically conformist publishing scene. While it continues to attract controversy, particularly regarding its stance on right-wing publishers, the fair's evolution reflects broader changes in Germany's publishing landscape.