The Vatican Publishing House (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, LEV) and Edizioni Musei Vaticani (EMV) at the Frankfurt International Book Fair 2019-10-16

The Vatican Publishing House – Dicastery for Communication will be present again this year at the Frankfurt International Book Fair from 16 to 20 October, with a stand shared with Edizioni Musei Vaticani. At the Buchmesse, the Vatican Publishing House will meet publishers from all over the world, so as to support and promote the spread of the Magisterium of the Holy Father and the published material of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia.

The LEV will bring to Frankfurt its most significant works this year, and will illustrate the editorial projects to be published soon. One of the most important novelties is the collection with an ecumenical vocation, the “scambio dei doni” (“exchange of gifts”), with texts and speeches by the Pope, as well as a hitherto unpublished work by the Pontiff, presented by a representative of the brothers and sisters of the separate Churches and ecclesial communities with whom the Catholic Church is journeying towards the re-establishment of full communion.

The first two copies of the new collection “Nostra Madre Terra” (“Our Mother Earth”) with a prologue by Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople, and “La preghiera” (“Prayer”) with a preface by Kyril, Patriarch of Moscow, will be presented today, 16 October, at 18.00 at the LEV stand (Pavilion 5.0 D33) by Francesca Angeletti of the Publishing Rights Office and Alessandro Gisotti, deputy editorial director of the Dicastery of Communication.

“With the series “exchange of gifts”, the LEV responds to Pope Francis’ invitation to engage with conviction and creativity in ecumenical dialogue”, emphasizes Alessandro Gisotti. “We are sure that culture can be a privileged space to walk together with the brothers and sisters of the Churches and ecclesial communities towards the restoration of full Christian unity. The first two books in the series also bear witness to how ecumenism can foster reflection and common action by Christians on themes fundamental to human life. A cultural and spiritual contribution that, through the texts of the Pope and other Christian leaders, the LEV wishes to offer for the benefit of all”.

In addition to its strong ecumenical value, the “Exchange of Gifts” collection is produced using environmentally friendly methods. The volumes are certified by the international FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which guarantees correct and sustainable forest management and the traceability of derived products. Br. Giulio Cesareo, O.F.M. Conv., the LEV’s editorial manager, points out that: “The style of the volumes is deliberately sober, but painstakingly crafted, and only raw materials (paper) from sustainably and responsibly managed forests are used. The ‘motto’ of the collection – “exchange of gifts” – is written expressly in lower case, to indicate the discretion that accompanies every true precious gift, which is not shouted out in the streets, but whispered in the ear”.

The joint stand is the work of Sabina Antonini, Alessandra Coppa and Andrea Lancellotti. It is structured as an open space permeable to the exchange of ideas, characterised by a large rectangular area, of an unusual elongated shape, where totemic elements, open and independent, differentiate the area and engage in dialogue with the environment.