The Philippines will take center stage as the Guest of Honour (GoH) at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM), presenting a unique cultural and literary showcase. In a press conference today, curators Patrick Flores and Karina Bolasco, along with key representatives from the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), revealed the country’s theme, “The Imagination peoples the air,” and its visual identity for the event.
Highlighting the nation’s cultural diversity and literary depth, the Philippines will feature works from national artists, indigenous traditions, and a tribute to Jose Rizal – the country’s national hero.
Curator Patrick Flores explained:
“The keywords imagination, people, and air allude to the elements of the writing and reading context: the producers and receivers of texts; the talent of the idiosyncratic individual who reads and writes; and the community gathered by the air emanating from and animating books.”
The visual identity reflects this theme with an ascending grid symbolizing collective aspirations, vivid colors inspired by Rizal’s writings, and typography echoing the original print of Noli Me Tangere from the 1890s. It also incorporates Baybayin glyphs, an ancient Filipino script, representing key elements of Rizal’s work.
Karina Bolasco, head of the literary program, shared:
“The 2025 Philippine Pavilion will be a showcase of our literary development focusing on pioneering, unique works that represent significant aspects of Filipino culture. Collaborating with experts and stakeholders, the delegation aims to highlight titles that not only delve into Filipino heritage but also appeal to international markets interested in diverse stories.”
At the 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair, the Philippines will preview its GoH program by featuring over 70 publishers and 700 titles across genres, including graphic novels, children’s literature, and new adult fiction. A key moment will be the handover of the Guest Scroll from Italy to the Philippines, marking the transition to the 2025 GoH role.
The Philippine Pavilion in 2025 will span 2,000 square meters, offering interactive panels, lectures, and exhibits that explore the role of literature in bridging historical and contemporary realities. Collaborations with German institutions will further enrich the cultural exchange, showcasing Philippine perspectives on global issues.
Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurter Buchmesse, shared his enthusiasm:
“The motto The imagination peoples the air resonates with the universality of storytelling. Even though the Philippines is the world’s thirteenth largest nation with more than 109 million citizens, I believe for many of us in Europe, Philippine literature is currently still rather unknown territory.”
The Philippines’ participation in the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair is a historic achievement, made possible through the efforts of the NCCA, NBDB, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.
Stay tuned as the Philippines prepares to inspire the world at the 2025 Frankfurter Buchmesse, bringing to life a vibrant exchange of ideas, cultures, and stories.
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