Vlad Bunoan

Visitors attend the press conference of the Frankfurt Book Fair as they look at original documents of letters and transcripts for his book, Noli Me Tangere -”Touch Me Not.” at the National Library in Manila on September 4, 2025, The National Hero's book along with current FIlipino authored books will be given the spotlight in Germany in the coming Frankfurt Book Fair, where books from the Philippine will have a chance to be translated into various European languages and be distributed and sold to a worldwide audience. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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National Library

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175699017047220250904-frankfurt-book-fair-launch-JC-5122.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Visitors check the original letter and transcripts of Dr. Jose Rizal’s ‘Noli Me Tangere’ at the National Library of the Philippines in Ermita, Manila, on Thursday, as organizers announce the country’s participation as Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurt Bookfair in October. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Philippines is preparing its largest international literary showcase to date as Guest of Honour at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, bringing more than 400 delegates and a program designed to spotlight the country’s diverse stories, languages, and creative industries, organizers announced Thursday.</div>The centerpiece of the participation is the 2,000-square-meter Philippine Guest of Honour Pavilion, titled &quot;The imagination peoples the air.&quot; Conceived as a living, immersive space rather than a static exhibit, the pavilion was curated by Patrick Flores and designed by Stanley Ruiz to reflect both innovation and tradition. Its rattan and bamboo seating will host conversations and readings, while translucent walls will display works by Gary-Ross Pastrana, Mervin Malonzo, and the late David Medalla.Over 500 Philippine titles will be presented at the pavilion, alongside more than 100 talks, readings, and performances curated by Karina Bolasco. The program tackles urgent global issues — human rights, democracy, climate change, geopolitics, children’s literature, queer narratives, and religion — from a distinctly Filipino perspective. Many sessions will pair discussions with live performances, such as the panel &quot;How Do We Write About Climate Change?&quot;, which concludes with a rendition of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s &quot;Paraiso&quot; by the Philippine Madrigal Singers and Song Weavers Philippines.The lineup features Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, journalist Patricia Evangelista, National Artists Virgilio Almario and Cayabyab, and authors Jose Dalisay and Marjorie Evasco. Performances will range from traditional ensembles such as Kuwerdas Filipinas and Kalinga group Akayu to hip-hop collective Morobeats.Beyond the pavilion, the Philippines will extend its presence through the Philippine Stand — the hub for rights negotiations with 52 publishers — as well as a Comics Stand and programming at the Asia Stage, which will host business talks on Southeast Asia’s publishing market, including topics like censorship, comics, and generative AI.The Guest of Honour role also carries a cultural program across Germany and Switzerland, featuring exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, and literary events. Highlights include &quot;Jose on the Go: A Rizal Stroll&quot; with historian Ambeth Ocampo in Frankfurt, &quot;Komiks Live!&quot; at Romanfabrik, and &quot;Liwaliw in Hanau,&quot; which brings together Filipino games, food, and music.The Philippines’ presence in Frankfurt also reflects its growing creative economy, valued at P1.94 trillion in 2024, or 7.3% of GDP, covering media, digital services, advertising, publishing, music, visual arts, traditional culture, and cultural events.The road to Frankfurt began a decade ago, when publishing leaders lobbied for a modest presence at the fair. With the support of Senator Loren Legarda, the vision grew into the Guest of Honour bid — making the Philippines only the second Southeast Asian nation to take on the role. The program is led by the National Book Development Board, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of Senator Legarda.The Frankfurt Book Fair runs October 15–19.

The Philippines will mount its biggest international literary showcase yet as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, unveiling a 2,000-square-meter pavilion and more than 100 events featuring Filipino authors, artists, and performers.

The Philippines will mount its biggest international literary showcase yet as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, unveiling a 2,000-square-meter pavilion and more than 100 events featuring Filipino authors, artists, and performers.

PH readies biggest showcase yet as Guest of Honour at Frankfurt Book Fair

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PH readies biggest showcase yet as Guest of Honour at Frankfurt Book Fair

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published September 05, 2025 10:00 AM PHT

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