FBM President and CEO Juergen Boos met Sen. Loren Legarda, Karina Bolasco, and Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz from the Philippines as Guest of Honour committee, along with DFA officials. Handout.

MANILA —  The country’s rich culture in the arts and literature is set to take centerstage at Frankfurt Book Fair 2024, the world’s oldest and largest book fair, as Frankfurt in Germany names the Philippines as the new Guest of Honour (GoH) for 2025. 

Aside from having the opportunity to showcase diverse literature through Filipinos books in different genres, writing styles, dialects and languages in the book event, the Philippines also becomes the second Southeast Asian book publishing market to receive the GoH recognition.

The series of events from book fair to the turnover of the GoH role will cover about 10 days, starting with a press conference on October 17 at Frankfurt Pavilion that aims to present the theme and plans for 2025. 

National Gallery Singapore chief curator and art critic Patrick Flores will unravel the theme being the curator of 2025 Philippine Pavilion as GoH.

The theme for Philippine participation is “The Imagination peoples the air,” inspired from the country’s national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s work “Noli Me Tangere”.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda are set to grace the event. 

The press con will also feature conversations with Filipino author Budjette Tan, creator of the critically acclaimed graphic novel series "Trese," and transfeminine thinker and artist Jaya Jacobo.

“The Philippines’ presence as Guest of Honor at the world’s most prestigious book fair is a testament to what we can achieve if we nurture our people’s talent. We can make a difference and rally stronger support for the continuous advancement of our book industry and the creative industry through consistent and sustainable government initiatives,” Legarda said.

Moreover, Filipino creatives and publishers have the chance to showcase their works and the trends in the publishing industry through FBM 2024’s literary programs. Jacobo, multi-awarded creative writer Jose Dalisay, investigative journalist and author Patricia Evangelista, and Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo will hold key discussions at the international stage.

At the ART+ stage, there will be another set of talks from Tan and Evangelista, as well as award-winning illustrators Isabel Roxas and Frances Alvarez, while at the New Adult Stage, RomanceClass founder Mina Esguerra will share ideas regarding the genre.

Over at The Asia Stage, sponsored by Buchmesse and Rex Education (Philippines), there will be 30 sessions about literature, education, the arts, humanities, technology, and sciences.

On October 20 at the Italian Pavilion, FBM will commence the formal handover of the GoH role from Italy to the Philippine through a ceremony that will offer insights into the cross-cultural exchange through discussions from Roxas and Italian ilustrator Alessandro Sanna.

In addition, on October 24 to 27, the Philippines will have a four-day launching program entitled “In the Air” at Heidelberg and Wilhelmself that will highlight Rizal’s legacy as a writer, thinker, and hero through various programs.