London Book Fair, which is regarded as one of the world’s largest international literary events, has been canceled amid coronavirus fears. The organiser of the book fair, Reed Exhibitions, announced today that the escalation of the illness meant the fair, scheduled to run from 10 to 12 March, would be called off.
Around 25,000 publishers, authors and agents from around the world had been due to attend the event, where deals for the hottest new books are struck. “Reed Exhibitions has today announced that The London Book Fair 2020, scheduled to take place at Olympia, London, from 10 to 12 March will be cancelled following the escalation of COVID-19 Coronavirus in Europe. The effects, actual and projected, of Coronavirus, are becoming evident across all aspects of our lives here in the UK and across the world, with many of our participants facing travel restrictions,” the company said in a statement.
— The London Book Fair (@LondonBookFair) March 4, 2020
Reed Exhibitions further added, “We have been following UK government guidelines and working with the rolling advice from the public health authorities and other organisations, and so it is with reluctance that we have taken the decision not to go ahead with this year’s event. We recognise that business has to continue. With this in mind, we will of course support and collaborate with exhibitors and visitors to keep our world moving during this difficult period. We thank all those from the UK and a multitude of other countries who have prepared over the last year to deliver what promised to be a wonderful book fair showcasing, as ever, the exciting best of the global book industry.”
The London Book Fair is set to return in 2021. The cancellation of the London Book Fair came after a number of major agencies and publishers pulled out of the event. Recently, many events have also been canceled due to the virus’ fears. Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organisers of Paperworld Middle East, had also announced today that the event, which was to kickstart on the 9th of March, 2020, stands cancelled for this year.
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