The “Most Beautiful German Books” competition dates back to 1929 and was launched against the backdrop of the industrialisation of book production with the aim of promoting book design and production. Outstanding design and exemplary processing of books take on new significance in the age of advancing digitalisation. Every year, the award-winning books set an example and reveal current trends in German book production. In the competition, two expert juries select the 25 most beautiful books of the year in a multi-stage process. These are, as they say, “exemplary in design, conception and workmanship and show a wide range of creative and manufacturing possibilities”. There are five categories: “General literature”, “Scientific books, specialist books, school and textbooks”, “Guidebooks, non-fiction books”, “Art books, photo books, exhibition catalogues” and “Children’s books, books for young people”. Five winners are honoured in each category. The selection also takes into account “the quieter, well-typographed reading book”. The award-winning titles are also nominated for the “Stiftung Buchkunst Prize”, which is endowed with 10,000 euros.
The foundation recently launched the next season of the “Most Beautiful German Books” competition with a “Call for Entries”. The online submission forms are available on the website. The closing date for entries is 31 March 2024 and the competition is aimed at publishers, book designers and production companies. New publications for the years 2023 and 2024 (publication date: 01.04.2023 – 31.03.2024) can be submitted. If the submitted book has a regional connection, it is also possible to register for the competition “Germany’s most beautiful regional book” at the same time as submitting the entry form.
The “Award for Young Book Design”, which has also been awarded by the Stiftung Buchkunst since 1989, aims to “visualise extraordinary new ideas for printed books or hybrid book forms – thus developments in the medium of book design – and book impulses for tomorrow as well as quality concepts of today”. The focus is not on technical perfection, but on the idea. In this competition, a jury of designers and university experts will select three winning titles, each endowed with 2,000 euros, that take the medium of the book to the next level.
The award-winning books from both competitions, as well as their short and long lists, are once again part of the Stiftung Buchkunst exhibition at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The 25 award-winning titles will also be on display at numerous venues in Germany and at international book fairs.
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