Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Belgian Royal Couple Open the Frankfurt Book Fair

There was a joint event today, Tuesday October 18, for the Dutch and Belgian royals. His Majesty King Willem-Alexander along with Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the opening ceremony of the Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany.

At this year’s fair, the Netherlands and the Flanders are guests of honor and King Willem-Alexander with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde officially opened the pavillion dedicated to the countries. In the pavillion are present more than 70 Dutch-Flemish authors and more than 250 titles novels, short stories, children’s literature, nonfiction, poetry, theater and graphic novels. The motto of the fair this year is “This is what we share”.

Inauguration du Pavillon de la Flandre et des Pays-Bas #fmb16 #thisiswhatweshare @Book_Fair pic.twitter.com/KeYVw3eTQf

— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) October 18, 2016

In a speech held during a lunch prior to the ceremony, King Philippe expressed the importance of the language as transfer of knowledge and wisdom “in an era of rapid and shortened communication”. The King also talked about the Netherlands and Flanders saying that they share the same language and interact in the cultural and social fields.

At the opening ceremony were also present Sven Gazt, the Flemish Minister for Culture, Youth and Media, Geert Albert Bourgeois, Minister-President of Flanders and Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament. The Frankfurt Book fair, the world’s largest trade fair for books, will take place from Wednesday October 19 to Sunday October 23.

Ouverture de la Foire du Livre de Francfort avec pour hôtes d’Honneur la #Flandre et les #PaysBas #fmb16 #thisiswhatweshare @Book_Fair pic.twitter.com/38H9QhzVO5

— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) October 18, 2016

Filed under Belgium, The Netherlands
Tagged Germany, King Philippe of the Belgians, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians.