The History of Leipziger Messe

Leipzig is home to one of the oldest trade fair venues in the world. The Leipziger Messe was established at the intersection of two important historical trade routes, the Via Regia and the Via Imperii.

From the inception of Leipzig's markets and fairs to the birth of sample fairs and today's trade fairs, tradition has always been both our mission and the basis for our success. As a result, the Leipziger Messe today ranks as one of the most modern and efficient exhibition centres. Our publications can give you an accurate picture of the Leipziger Messe Group of Companies.

History: More Than 850 Years of Trade Fairs in Leipzig

Since the Middle Ages, special rights and privileges have channelled trade traffic through Leipzig. It all began with the town and market rights granted by Margrave Otto the Rich around 1165. The privileges granted by King Maximilian I in 1497 and 1507 helped propel Leipzig's ascendancy as an international trade fair venue.

At the end of the 19th century, the Leipziger Messe had laid the foundations for the modern trade fair system. New forms of trade and presentation were necessitated by the industrial production of mass goods; the traditional goods fair had outlived its usefulness. The world's first sample fair (Mustermesse) was held in Leipzig in 1895. The Leipziger Messe's double-M logo has served as a reminder of this groundbreaking innovation since 1917.

The first half of the 20th century was characterised by economic boom, economic crises and two world wars. Trade fairs in Leipzig came to a complete standstill between 1942 and 1945 due to the impact of the war.

After 1945, the Leipziger Messe emerged as an important node in East-West trade with universal fairs in spring and autumn.

Following the political upheaval of 1989/90 and German reunification, the Leipziger Messe had to reorient itself. This included the launch of trade shows, the founding of Leipziger Messe GmbH in 1991 and the construction of a new exhibition centre with an efficient congress centre, inaugurated in 1996.

The Messemännchen: ambassador of the Leipziger Messe

The Messemännchen (little trade fair man) was designed in 1964 by Berlin-based doll designer Gerhard Behrendt (1929-2006) and was first sold at the Spring Fair in 1965. Behrendt, who also created the Sandmännchen (sandman), developed the Messemännchen as a “movable, artistically designed puppet” on behalf of the Leipzig Trade Fair Office. It was intended as a souvenir and advertising medium for the Leipziger Messe and to represent Leipzig as a trading centre.

The design of the Messemännchen has remained virtually unchanged since its introduction. The figure carries a briefcase and wears a blue hat, both labelled with the double M of the Leipziger Messe. The globe head symbolises the international orientation of the Leipziger Messe.

The Messemännchen has been an integral part of Leipziger Messe since his introduction and is used as a mascot at various events. Aside from his presence at the exhibition centre, he also appears at city festivals, award ceremonies and events in the region.

Corporate Archive: Leipziger Messe's Treasure Trove

The company archive was established in 1917 after the founding of the "Messamt für die Mustermessen in Leipzig". It is home to documents and objects from the trade fair's history. These include rarities such as the first trade fair poster from 1908 or the first cardboard trade fair badge with a pin from 1918. The collections continue to this day.

The company archive and archive library are available for research, for example for scientific and journalistic work. Inventory information provides convenient access. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions about the company's history, its holdings or their use.