The 2020 Special Edition of the Frankfurt @book_fair has officially launched! Canada is proud to be the Guest of Honor. More than 70 events and a lot of fun are waiting for you. @CanadianPM pic.twitter.com/EbHDNFzk0G

— Canadian Heritage (@CdnHeritage) October 13, 2020

The special online edition of the Frankfurt Book Fair kicked off today with a ceremony featuring a video message from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In July, Frankfurt organizers announced that Canada’s guest of honour role would be officially postponed to 2021, and be replaced this year with a condensed online program in keeping with COVID-19 safety measures. On Oct. 17, Frankfurt’s Bookfest Digital will feature an array of international literary talent, including several Canadian authors. The free programming includes talks with Kim Thúy, David A. Robertson, Sydney Smith, and Catherine Hernandez, alongside events with Jamie Oliver, Edward Snowden, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, Peter Wohlleben, and Ibram X. Kendi.