Congrés de LILA
Budapest, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, Los Angeles, Vienna, Tokyo, Munich, New York, Madrid, Los Angeles, Montréal, Melbourne, Paris, Bologna... booksellers have travelled the world and been welcomed into libraries, private collections, national treasures, given access to scholars and experts, and established long-term business relationships and lasting friendships.
Since 1948, the League and its member associations have organised Congresses, now held every two years in a different part of the world, providing a wonderful opportunity for ILAB member booksellers to network, but also to get to know the literary and cultural heritage of the host country. Traditionally, a congress is followed by a book fair.
Looking back at the 2026 ILAB Congress in Berlin
More than three decades after the ILAB Congress was last hosted in Germany, in Cologne in 1992, the international rare book trade returned to Germany in September 2026, gathering for the first time in the nation’s capital, Berlin, for a Congress that combined visits to remarkable collections, professional exchange, and an unforgettable week of celebrating the world of rare books.
>> A Closer Look: A Visit to the Library of Berlin's Deutsches Historisches Museum
LES CONGRÈS DE LA LILA - DES ÉVÉNEMENTS PHARES INTERNATIONAUX POUR LE COMMERCE DES LIVRES RARES
Depuis 1948, la Ligue et ses associations membres organisent des congrès qui ont désormais lieu tous les deux ans dans un lieu différent à travers le monde. Ces congrès sont une merveilleuse occasion pour les libraires affiliés à la LILA d'établir des réseaux mais aussi de s'informer sur le patrimoine littéraire et culturel de la nation hôte.
Budapest, Amsterdam, Copenhague, Londres, Los Angeles, Vienne, Tokyo, Munich, New York, Madrid, Los Angeles, Montréal, Melbourne, Paris, Bologne... les libraires ont parcouru le monde et ont été accueillis dans des bibliothèques, des collections privées, des trésors nationaux et ont eu accès à des érudits et des experts et ont construit des relations commerciales à long terme ainsi que des amitiés durables.
Les congrès et les foires sont ouverts à tous les libraires affiliés à la Ligue et seront annoncés par la Ligue au moins un an avant le congrès.
Looking back at the 2022 ILAB Congress in Oxford
In September 2022, after a long time of the COVID pandemic not allowing for in-person gathering, the temporary closure of book fairs and cancellation of many events, the international trade was finally able to meet again.
Thanks to the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA) in the UK, ILAB delegates spent a most memorable time in the historic university town with its colleges, libraries and cultural treasures.
>> Introducing our 2022 congress or "A prisoner in Oxford"
>> The ILAB Congress 2022 in Oxford - Day 1
>> The ILAB Congress 2022 in Oxford - Day 2
Since 1948, the League and its member associations have organised Congresses, now held every two years in a different part of the world, providing a wonderful opportunity for ILAB member booksellers to network, but also to get to know the literary and cultural heritage of the host country. Traditionally, a congress is followed by a book fair.
After Paris (2014), Budapest (2016), Los Angeles (2018), Oxford (2022) and Amsterdam (2024), join us in Berlin in September 2026!
All ILAB Congresses and meetings since ILAB's inception are listed HERE.
Congresses and Fairs are open to all booksellers affiliated to the League and are announced through the League at least one year before the Congress. Information on scholarship opportunities can be obtained from the ILAB Secretariat.
Images supplied by
Markus Brandis and
visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle