THE Philippines, through the National Book Development Board (NBDB), is poised to showcase the country’s rich cultural diversity as the Guest of Honor at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM), the world’s largest book fair, to be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from October 24 to 27.
Under the theme “The Imagination peoples the air,” inspired by José Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere,” the Philippines aims to present a vibrant tapestry of national artists, indigenous traditions, and global perspectives, according to curators Patrick Flores and Karina Bolasco, who emphasized that the theme encapsulates the interplay of Philippine literature and culture, inviting international audiences to engage with the nation’s stories.
“The keywords imagination, people, and air reflect the context of writing and reading, emphasizing the connections between authors and audiences,” Flores said.
He described the Philippine Pavilion as a democratic space for sharing diverse narratives that resonate with global ideas and aspirations.
Flores said the pavilion’s visual identity features a dynamic logo symbolizing collective aspirations and employs a color palette inspired by Rizal’s descriptions in his works. The design incorporates glyphs from the baybayin script, highlighting the Philippines’ historical literary roots.
On the other hand, Bolasco outlined the pavilion’s offerings, which will include over 700 titles from more than 70 publishers and authors.
The programming aims to bridge Filipino heritage with international interests, showcasing genres from graphic novels to children’s literature.
In preparation for the 2025 fair, the Philippines will also participate in the FBM 2024, presenting a sneak peek of its initiatives, including a formal handover of the Guest Scroll from Italy.
The Philippine delegation plans to extend cultural programming through events in Heidelberg, where Rizal penned “Noli Me Tangere.”
Juergen Boos, director of Frankfurter Buchmesse, expressed enthusiasm for the Philippines’ participation, highlighting the country’s rich linguistic diversity and the opportunity for European audiences to explore Philippine literature.
Sen. Loren Legarda, a key supporter of the initiative, emphasized the significance of this achievement.
“This is a moment of immense national pride. We are excited to share the stories of the Filipino people with the world,” Legarda said in a statement.
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