1991 saw the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The collapse, the bloody wars that followed as well as the mixture of hatred and hope that accompanied it all, formed an entire generation of writers – forever marked by what they lived through these authors’ literary work is informed by what has happened. Exactly 30 years after the breakup, “Common Ground” puts the Archipelago Yugoslavia centre stage at the Leipzig Book Fair 2021, presenting new books, background stories, and unexpected twists of fate. In addition, another important event is in focus this year: 2021 also marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the Hoxha regime in Albania.

This year the Leipzig Book Fair takes place from 27th to 30th May.