In current times, is there a decline in book reading among people?

In the heart of Berlin, on Mon., 22.09.25, at 19:00, a significant event is taking place at Friedrichstr. 2110969. The talk event, hosted by Dirk Knipphals, the culture editor of a renowned website, will feature speakers Britta Jürgs, founder of AvivA Verlag, and Jörg Sundermeier, co-owner of Verbrecher Verlag. Sarah Käsmayr, the director of Maro Verlag and a board member of the Kurt Wolff Foundation, will also be present.

This event is a celebration of anniversaries for Suhrkamp, Verbrecher Verlag, and Quer Verlag, marking 75, 30, and significant years respectively. However, the book market is not just celebrating, it's also in transition. Printers are working overtime to meet the demand, as more and more people are flocking to book fairs, with weekends seeing sell-outs.

Yet, despite a slight increase in turnover, the book trade is in a severe crisis. Bibliodiversity, the variety of published voices and perspectives, is potentially endangered due to market concentration, dominance of major publishers, and economic pressures. This is a topic that will undoubtedly be discussed during the event.

Admission to the event is free but requires a reservation, which can be made through the event-ticketing software by pretix. The audience can submit questions for the discussion in advance or after the event, by sending an email to the website. The event will be held both in person and via livestream on the website Kantine.

Meanwhile, young adults are taking to TikTok to celebrate their bookshelves, showcasing their love for literature in a unique and vibrant way. It's a testament to the enduring power of books, even in these challenging times.

As the book market navigates through its crisis, events like this serve as a platform for dialogue, reflection, and celebration. It's an opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by the industry and to envision a future where bibliodiversity thrives. So, whether you're a book lover, a publisher, or simply curious, join us for this thought-provoking event.