The Seitenwechsel book fair opens on 7 November at Messe Halle (Saale) and runs until 8 November. According to the organisers’ official information, the second edition will feature an extensive programme of talks, discussions and publisher stands. The exhibitor directory and programme announcements list numerous writers and publishers whom observers place on the conservative to right-wing spectrum.
Local groups say protests and a cultural-political counter-programme have been announced in response to the fair. The organisers of these actions criticise the event as a platform that normalises positions open to the far right. The fair’s organisers, by contrast, point to the right to freedom of expression and the diversity of the content represented.
The fair was first held in Halle (Saale) in 2025. Even then, the political classification of the event was a subject of discussion in city politics and the cultural scene. Documents from the City of Halle (Saale) and the Official Gazette of the City of Halle (Saale) record debates in the City Council about the event’s orientation and questions surrounding the allocation of venues. Published programme pages confirm that the 2026 event will again be held at the same venue.
Context and qualifications: The date, location and published programme are factually verified. The characterisation of the political positions of individual contributions and exhibitors is based on assessments by media and civil society observers, including the MDR and the Berliner Zeitung. Such assessments should be clearly identified and do not replace scrutiny of individual content or legal assessments. Forecasts about lasting effects on the local cultural scene or the national debate remain uncertain at present.
The dispute over the fair has already had practical consequences: cultural organisations in Halle (Saale) are joining forces to organise alternative events, while city politicians are once again discussing guidelines on venue allocation, how to deal with controversial content and security arrangements. The fair’s management must balance ensuring the event runs smoothly with allowing controversial discussion. At the time of writing, it is unclear how many people will attend over the two days or whether there will be any significant incidents.
This brings a nationwide debate into sharp focus in Halle (Saale): where are the boundaries between diversity of expression, political positioning and the responsibilities of public spaces? These questions will be debated again after the fair weekend by the city council, the cultural scene and the public.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).