Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels
Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels is an association of the German book trade, based in Frankfurt, representing the interests of publishers and book sellers. It was founded in Frankfurt in 1948, and merged in 1991 with a similar Leipzig organisation. It organises the annual Frankfurt Book Fair, where the peace prize Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels was awarded from 1950. History. In 1825, an association of German booksellers was founded in Leipzig, the . When Leipzig was in the Soviet zone after World War II, the western part needed a representation. In 1948, a "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Verleger- und Buchhändler -Verbände" was founded in the American and British zones, which was renamed "Börsenverein Deutscher Verleger- und Buchhändlerverbände". The present name, Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, was established in 1955. In 1972, personal membership was replaced by institutional membership. From 1974 to 2000, Hans-Karl von Kupsch was managing director. After German reunification, he led the unification with the similar organisation in Leipzig. The office was in Frankfurt, Großer Hirschgraben 17–21, next to the Goethe House. In 2012, the office moved to 16, to a building designed in 1956 by and named Haus des Buches (House of the book). Program. The Börsenverein  organises the annual Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair). Beginning in 1950, the Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels has been issued at the Paulskirche as part of the fair. It supports (as "ideeller Träger") the Leipziger Buchmesse, where it awards the annual Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding. Memberships. The association is member of the International Publishers Association, the Internationale Buchhändler-Vereinigung, the Federation of European Publishers and the European Booksellers Federation.