Philippines Ascends in the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025
The Philippines has been named Guest of Honor at the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, showcasing our country’s vast contributions and dedication to the arts.
Words Luis Joaquin Gregorio
Photo courtesy of Frankfurt Book Fair
September 25, 2025
The Philippines has been named Guest of Honor for the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair, an honor spearheaded by Senator Loren Legarda to showcase the country’s remarkable contemporary art expressed through literature, architecture, and other significant aspects of our cultural heritage.
The Imagination Peoples the Air
The Philippines will be presenting at the Frankfurt Book Fair under the title ‘The Imagination Peoples The Air,’ a historical excerpt taken from José Rizal’s seminal work Noli Me Tangere.
Photo courtesy of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda
The creative message of this excerpt will be vividly brought to life through planned exhibits and a series of discussions featuring prominent Filipino artists and influential voices such as Rodel Tapaya, Nick de Ocampo, and Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa.
This extensive showcase of contemporary Filipino art paves the way for greater international recognition of our cultural heritage and values, while also fostering awareness and dialogue around universal social issues.
The Philippine Pavillion
The Philippine Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair will serve as an imaginative tribute to the rich genealogy of our country’s creative disciplines, José Rizal’s connection to Germany, and cultural innovations that deeply reflect the unique spirit of Filipino artistry.
Designed by Stanley Ruiz, the pavilion is constructed from various local materials such as shells, bamboo, and pineapple fiber, each symbolizing our Filipino roots. The pavilion’s design evokes the shape of islands, showcasing esteemed works by artists like Gary Ross-Pastrana and David Medalla.
Beyond the cultural displays, the pavilion will host several thoughtful dialogues led by the curators, exploring the history and inspiration behind the tapestry of Philippine literature, its challenges, and the future that lies ahead.
The exhibits will feature a rich array of domestic objects native to various Philippine communities, including textiles, beads, baskets, and ancestral weapons. Classic Filipino media, from books to films, will also be highlighted, with works by Severino Reyes, Chito S. Roño, and Kidlat Tahimik taking center stage.
These presentations will be followed by panel discussions that offer audiences a diverse range of perspectives, ultimately highlighting the Filipino viewpoint.
Together, the exhibits and discussions offer a vivid and articulate storytelling of our heritage, one that is soulfully revered by our people, and provide the international audience with a powerful testament to the country’s dedication and sacrifices for the arts.
A generational milestone
With a diverse global audience, the Philippines’ recognition as Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair is a significant achievement for the country’s representation in the arts and culture sector.
Beyond international recognition, this milestone opens doors for expanding our cultural influence and fostering stronger diplomatic relations. This success can be traced back to Senator Loren Legarda’s tireless efforts since 2016 in bidding for and promoting the Philippines’ participation in the world’s most prestigious book fair.
Philippines Guest of Honour core team: Ani Almario, Nida Ramirez, Charisse Tugade (NBDB Executive Director), Senator Loren Legarda (project advocate), Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz, Karina Bolasco, Aurea Brigino Lopez with National Library of the Philippine Director Cesar Gilbert Adriano.
It stands as one of her greatest accomplishments in preserving the country’s cultural identity and sparking scholarly discussions that resonate worldwide.
The Frankfurt Book Fair will open its doors from October 15 to 19 at the Messe Frankfurt, Germany.
