Translation isn’t just about converting words from one language to another. It’s about connecting cultures, sharing ideas, and opening doors between readers and authors across borders. At the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, Slovenia is proving just how powerful that bridge can be — especially when it links two rich literary traditions like Slovenia and Germany.
With translation at the heart of its presence, Slovenia is showcasing dozens of exciting projects, fresh partnerships, and beautifully adapted books that German readers are already beginning to embrace.
Let’s take a deeper look into the translation spotlight at Frankfurt 2025.
Table of Contents
Focus
Slovenia’s literary export strategy has one clear goal: bring the country’s stories to life for international audiences. And Germany, as one of the largest publishing markets in the world, is a top priority.
That’s why translation is the central pillar of Slovenia’s participation in Frankfurt this year. From fiction to nonfiction, poetry to children’s books, dozens of Slovenian works have made the leap into German — many of them for the very first time.
It’s not just about quantity either. These are quality translations backed by skilled literary translators and carefully chosen titles that reflect Slovenia’s literary soul.
Projects
Here are just a few standout translation projects being highlighted at the fair:
| Slovenian Author | Title (German) | Genre | Publisher (DE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drago Jančar | Wenn die Liebe ruht | Literary fiction | Suhrkamp Verlag |
| Mojca Kumerdej | Chronik des Vergessens | Short stories | Edition Converso |
| Goran Vojnović | Vaterlandsverrat | Political fiction | Voland & Quist |
| Anja Mugerli | Bienenzeit | Literary fiction | KLAK Verlag |
| Nina Dragičević | Laut & Leer | Poetry | Hochroth Berlin |
These books look into identity, memory, post-socialist change, love, resistance, and more — themes that resonate far beyond Slovenia’s borders.
Support
Making these translations happen takes more than talent — it takes funding and structure.
The Slovenian Book Agency, along with the Ministry of Culture and the Creative Europe Programme, has created a strong support system for literary translations. Grants are awarded not only for translation itself, but also for editing, printing, and promotion.
This means that German publishers can take on Slovenian titles with less financial risk, making it easier for them to say “yes” to voices they might otherwise overlook.
Talent
Behind every successful translation is a talented translator — someone who doesn’t just know the language but truly understands the tone, rhythm, and meaning of a writer’s work.
Translators like Erwin Köstler, Ann Catrin Bolton, and Matthias Göritz have become instrumental in bringing Slovenian literature to German readers. Their role goes beyond just translating. They often advocate for the books, pitch them to publishers, and help shape the final result.
In many cases, translators will appear alongside the authors at Frankfurt for bilingual readings and panel talks, showing just how collaborative this literary bridge really is.
Events
Throughout the fair, Slovenia is hosting several translation-focused events, such as:
- “Voices Between Borders” – a panel with translators and authors discussing cross-cultural challenges
- “From Page to Page” – live translation sessions showing the real-time creative process
- German-Slovenian Rights Café – networking between publishers and agents to encourage more deals
- Meet the Translator – an informal series where readers can chat with literary translators directly
These events not only spotlight the craft of translation, they help build long-term relationships across the two literary markets.
Impact
So, what’s the real result of all these efforts?
For Slovenian authors, it’s wider visibility, international reviews, and the chance to connect with new audiences. For German readers, it’s the discovery of new voices and perspectives that might otherwise remain hidden.
Many of these translated titles are already being featured in German bookstores, literary festivals, and media channels. The impact is cultural, commercial, and deeply personal — because a translated story has the power to make faraway lives feel close.
Translation is more than a tool at Frankfurt 2025. It’s the lifeline connecting Slovenia and Germany — one page at a time.
FAQs
What are top translated Slovenian books in 2025?
Books by Jančar, Kumerdej, and Vojnović lead the list.
Who supports Slovenian translations?
The Slovenian Book Agency and Creative Europe fund projects.
Which German publishers are involved?
Suhrkamp, Voland & Quist, and others publish the titles.
Are there translation events at Frankfurt 2025?
Yes, panels and workshops highlight translators and authors.
Why is translation key for Slovenia?
It connects Slovenian stories to global readers effectively.
