FRANKFURT - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron opened the 69th Frankfurt Book Fair on Tuesday evening.

With around 200 French authors coming to Frankfurt, France is this year's guest of honor at the international publishing industry's biggest trade event, where more than 7,300 exhibitors from 102 countries and regions as well as around 278,000 visitors are expected.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Merkel and Macron underlined the close cultural connection of both countries - despite controversies.