temporary exhibition

The exhibit features some 240 books, including books of superior design from Japan, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, China, and, for the first time this year, Canada and Austria, as well as books accepted for the World's Most Beautiful Book Competition, which is held every year in March at the Leipzig Book Fair.

At the 2011 World's Most Beautiful Book Competition, 596 books from 32 countries were entered.

There were books whose binding, printing, and typography were flawlessly designed in a traditional manner, as well as many surprisingly unconventional books. All the books on display made one realize how high the level of design and bookbinding techniques are today.

In a world where digital publishing is rapidly advancing, you have only to take one of these beautiful examples of the bookmaking art in your hands to experience the joy that a real book can bring to a reader.

Note: The exhibition does not include every book selected at the Competition, as some of the books were published in small numbers and others proved to be impossible to obtain.