Cover Photos from the press talk last March 20 in Berlin, hosted by the Philippines and Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM)
Photos from the press talk last March 20 in Berlin, hosted by the Philippines and Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM)
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The Philippines as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 unveils a compelling slate of readings translated into the German language, a vibrant cultural programme, and a roster of acclaimed Filipino authors participating this year
When José Rizal penned the words “The imagination peoples the air”, little did he realise how fittingly they would describe the Philippines’ literary ambitions in the 21st century. As Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse [Frankfurt Book Fair] 2025, the Southeast Asian nation is set to take centre stage, unveiling a remarkable array of new German translations, an inaugural national stand at Leipziger Buchmesse, and a thought-provoking cultural programme entitled Oculus.
More from Tatler: On the World Stage: Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 highlights and the road to 2025 as Guest of Honour
During a press conference in Berlin, the Philippines gave more details about its upcoming participation at the world’s largest book fair. At the heart of the announcement was the much-anticipated launch of German-language editions of celebrated Filipino works. Among them are the climate fiction novel Remains by Daryll Delgado and the historical graphic novel Alandal by J Philip Ignacio. Karina Bolasco, curator of books and head of the literary programme, was also in attendance. The event, moderated by Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM) director Jürgen Boos, underscored the power of literature to forge connections across cultures.
“The Philippines’ presence in Germany is more than a literary offering,” reflected Senator Loren Legarda, a key figure behind the initiative. “It is a call to journey through stories that sail across oceans, voices that weave connections between cultures, and ideas that know no boundaries.”
Above Project visionary Senator Loren Legarda delivers a special message at the press talk in March 20 at Berlin
Project visionary Senator Loren Legarda delivers a special message at the press talk in March 20 at Berlin
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A Literary Renaissance in Translation
The country’s robust translation programme (PHLGoH2025 Translation Subsidy Program for Foreign Publishers) is the backbone of its Guest of Honour participation. Through it, over 120 Filipino books have found new linguistic homes across the world.
Now, 27 titles are making their way into German, including the highly anticipated Aswanglaut by Allan Derain, Tiempo Muerto by Caroline Hau, The Collaborators by Katrina Tuvera, The Singing Detainee and the Librarian with One Book: Essays on Exile by Michael Beltran, Second Opinion by Gideon Lasco, Essays on Philippine Cinema by Nick Deocampo, and graphic novels such as mga walang pangalan pero andyan by Archie Oclos, Death Be Damned by Mike Alcazaren, Noel Pascual, and AJ Bernardo, Depikto by Ruvel Abril, and Josefina by Russell Molina and Ace Enriquez.
More titles are set for release in 2025, including Kites in the Night by Blaise Campo Gacoscos, Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista, and Trese Vol. 3 by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. March 2025 will also see the release of Remains by Daryll Delgado and The Age of Umbrage by Jessica Zafra, continuing the momentum of Filipino literature reaching new audiences.
Related: Historically relevant Filipiniana books for your reading list
Authors at Frankfurt: Literature in Motion
The list of authors scheduled to represent the Philippines in Frankfurt suggests a deliberate, careful curation—a balance of established figures and emerging voices, a range of genres that mirror the country’s literary diversity. Among them, five National Artists: Virgilio Almario, Resil Mojares, Kidlat Tahimik, Gemino Abad, and Ricky Lee. It is a lineup that signals a commitment to contemporary literature and the lineage that shapes it.
Jose “Butch” Dalisay Jr, whose Killing Time in a Warm Place will be available in German, joins Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and trauma journalist Patricia Evangelista in a group that cuts across disciplines. There are poets—Luna Sicat Cleto, Luisa Igloria, Merlie Alunan—alongside writers whose works shape popular consciousness: Budjette Tan of Trese, Manix Abrera of Kikomachine, Mervin Malonzo of Tabi Po. From children’s literature to speculative fiction, the range is striking, even if incomplete; more names will be revealed in June.
For its part, the publishing industry will arrive in Frankfurt not as a monolith but as a constellation of institutions, each carrying its own weight in shaping the nation’s literary future. University presses—Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas—stand alongside commercial and independent publishers, from Anvil and Vibal to Milflores and Balangay Books. The intention is clear: to map a literary landscape that is not fixed, not provincial, but in motion, expanding outward.
Above Filipino literature translated into German
Filipino literature translated into German
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A Moment for Philippine Literature
FBM’s Guest of Honour programme has long been a launchpad for each country’s wealth of literature, providing a rare opportunity to present each of their cultural and literary identities globally. For the Philippines, this is more than just an exhibition—it is an assertion of a literary heritage that has evolved across centuries, shaped by colonial histories, Indigenous traditions, and contemporary voices.
“The Guest of Honour programme enhances the visibility of a nation’s literature and expands the international network of publishers, authors, and cultural institutions,” noted Juergen Boos. “At a time of global division, literature remains a powerful tool for connection.”
Above The press talk on March 20 in Berlin, hosted by the Philippines and Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM)
The press talk on March 20 in Berlin, hosted by the Philippines and Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM)
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From Leipzig to Frankfurt: A Cultural Showcase
The Philippines will also make a historic first by establishing its presence at Leipziger Buchmesse, Germany’s other major international book fair, further broadening its engagement with European readers. Meanwhile, its cultural programme, Oculus, will offer a multidimensional exploration of Philippine history, literature, and identity, ensuring that the country’s participation extends beyond the page and into the realms of performance, discussion, and artistic exchange.
With this expansive approach, the Philippines invites the world to enter its literary imagination, traversing history, politics, and the uncharted waters of the human experience. In 2025, Filipino literature will not just be on display—it will be in translation, in conversations, and in the hands of new readers across the globe.
For full event details, visit philippinesfrankfurt2025.com or on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn via @philippinesfranfurt2025.
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Credits
Photography: Courtesy of the Philippines Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025
Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
