Where Global Stories Converge
From its modest beginnings in 1949, when postwar publishers gathered in Frankfurt to rebuild and share new ideas, the Frankfurter Buchmesse has grown into the world’s most important international book fair. Over the decades, it has transformed from a regional gathering of German publishers into a global platform where stories are launched, partnerships are forged, and the future of publishing is shaped. That journey of steady growth, vision, and innovation is what makes the fair so influential today.
Now celebrating its 77th year, the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 is set to host more than 7,500 exhibitors from across the globe. It offers far more than book displays: visitors can explore groundbreaking titles, attend insightful discussions with leading authors and thinkers, witness the latest in publishing technology, and discover how books continue to evolve across media and cultures. It’s not just a fair — it’s a creative crossroads where tradition meets tomorrow.
The Imagination Peoples the Air
Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025
Adding to the excitement, the Philippines takes center stage as the Guest of Honour for 2025, presenting the theme “The Imagination Peoples the Air” — a powerful nod to the nation’s storytelling spirit inspired by José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. With over a hundred Filipino authors, artists, and events bringing the country’s rich literary heritage and contemporary voices to Frankfurt, this year’s fair celebrates not only books but also the vibrant diversity of global storytelling.
Amid this extraordinary celebration of ideas and imagination, Kravitz & Sons proudly showcases the Russian edition of Через ад насилия к успеху: История одного ребёнка (Through Hell and Back: A Child’s Story) by Walter Paul Lawrence — a stirring translation that brings one man’s journey of pain, perseverance, and healing to new audiences across the world.
The Voice That Refused to Stay Silent
Walter Paul Lawrence is living proof that survival isn’t just about enduring — it’s about transforming. Born in 1946, Lawrence grew up in an environment marred by abuse and neglect, a “whipping boy” for a family’s unhealed anger. Yet, from those early years of trauma emerged a man who chose light over darkness, forgiveness over bitterness, and purpose over despair.
Today, Lawrence serves as a school crossing guard in his county — a quiet but powerful role that reflects his lifelong dedication to protecting the next generation. His writing is raw, direct, and unfiltered, told in the voice of someone who has seen life at its cruelest and still found the strength to love. For him, this book is more than a memoir; it’s a catharsis, a way to turn private suffering into public hope.
A Universal Story in a New Language
The Russian edition, published by Kravitz & Sons LLC, carries the same emotional weight and moral clarity that defined the original English release, Life of Abuse to Success: A Child’s Story. Through vivid storytelling, Lawrence shares his experiences — a childhood of cruelty, the loss of loved ones, and the long, often lonely path toward healing.
But beyond the personal pain lies a greater message: that even in a world fractured by violence, love and empathy remain powerful agents of change. By releasing this edition in Russian, the book bridges cultures, reaching readers who may find their own struggles reflected in Lawrence’s journey. The translation maintains his authentic tone — honest, humble, and deeply human — ensuring that his story resonates as strongly in Moscow as it does in New York or Manila.
Why It Belongs on the Global Stage
At the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025, where the world gathers to celebrate literature that heals and inspires, Через ад насилия к успеху: История одного ребёнка stands as a profound reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Its message is universal — that no pain is wasted if it leads to compassion, and no trauma is final if it births change.
Walter Paul Lawrence’s story crosses languages, borders, and generations. It belongs on this global stage not just as a book, but as a beacon — reminding us that every survivor’s story has the power to spark empathy, ignite hope, and guide others toward their own redemption.
