International themes
Over the years, the Book Fair has specially focussed in on many other countries in addition to the Nordic countries.
In 1996 Austria and Hungary marked their 1100 Years Jubilee with a celebration at the Fair. One of the many participating authors was Imre Kertész, who returned in 2003 as a Nobel Prize Laureate.
"One language, many voices" was the motto of the Flemish-Dutch exhibit at the Fair in 1997 when literature from Flanders and The Netherlands was in focus. 22 Dutch language writers appeared, among them Hugo Claus, Harry Mulisch and Cees Nooteboom.
In 1999 the Fair focused on literature in the German language. 25 authors from Germany, Switzerland and Austria participated, including Martin Walser, Ingrid Noll, Ingo Schulze, Alice Schwarzer, Peter Schneider, Jutta Treiber and Zoë Jenny among others.
In 2001, Indian literature was presented in a series of seminars, and U. R. Anantha Murthy, Krishna Sobti, Githa Hariharan participated. In 2002 several authors from Africa and Scotland were invited.
In 2003 the Polish literature was in focus. Ryszard Kapuscinski inaugurated the Book Fair, and several Polish authors participated in seminars, readings and discussions. The Book Fair also featured authors from Vietnam, Indonesia, Afghanistan and Brazil.
In 2004 the Fair focused on British literature. More than 40 writers including Margaret Drabble, Robin Robertson, Minette Walters, Joanna Trollope and Kevin Crossley-Holland attended, along with many publishers and agents.
In 2005 our Guest of Honour was Lithuania. 50 writers, poets and other cultural personalities, as well as historians and policitians, took part in the seminar programme and in other activities during the Fair and in the city of Göteborg. Jurga Ivanauskaite, Thomas Venclova, Sigitas Parulskis and Sigitas Geda were among the participants.
In 2006 Freedom of Expression was the focal theme. Writers, politicians and other intellectuals attended in conjunction with the International Publishers' Association and the Nordic Centres of the International PEN.
Many writers and publishers who themselves live under threats participated, such as Ayaan Hirisi Ali and Shahla Lahiji. Among the writers within the focal theme two Nobel Prize Laureates participated: Shirin Ebadi and Orhan Pamuk. (Two weeks after the Book Fair it was announced that Orhan Pamuk was the Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature 2006.)
In 2007 Estonia was the Guest of Honour. Established writers and less-well-known writers visited the Fair. Historians, politicians and cultural och social observers participated and presented the literature, the history and an overview of what's happening in Estonia today.
In 2008 Latvia and the Latvian literature was in focus. The spectacular stand, a model of the National Library of Latvia which is currently nder constructon, captured great attention. A delegation of 100 people from Latvia contributed to more than 40 events. Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis inaugurated the Book Fair.
In 2009 Spain will be in focus.