Cover The National Stand of the Philippines at Hall 5.1, Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 (Photo: Facebook / Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt)
The National Stand of the Philippines at Hall 5.1, Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 (Photo: Facebook / Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt)
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The oldest and largest gathering of bibliophiles, literary workers, and writers—Frankfurt Book Fair—opens to the public on October 16, with some exciting activities geared towards the Philippines’ participation as Guest of Honour in 2025
In anticipation of the Philippines’ Guest of Honour country distinction at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM) in 2025, also widely known as Frankfurt Book Fair, this year’s Philippine Pavilion will have its dedicated National Stand at Hall 5.1 A76 and will also be present at other stands such as the New Adult, Children’s & Young Adult Media, Education, Comics and Graphic Novels, open to the public from October 16 to 20.
The ‘Philippine Experience’ is a collaborative undertaking of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda. Hailed as the most significant international publishing industry platform, FBM offers an exceptional opportunity for rights selling and greater visibility of Philippine books to industry professionals worldwide. This year’s edition strongly introduces the Philippines’ publishing industry and literary culture as several resource speakers are stepping on the Asia Stage and International Stage.
On October 17, a Philippine reception from 5pm to 6pm (CEST) will be held at the National Stand (Hall 5.1 A76) where Filipino creatives and publishers gather and celebrate why the Philippines is a creative hub to watch.
Here’s a brief overview of what’s in store for those coming to the FBM at Messe Frankfurt, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, Frankfurt-Am-Main, Germany
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Book Readings inside and outside FBM proper
Above Jose “Butch” Dalisay, Jr’s ‘Last Call Manila: Roman’
Above Luna Sicat Cleto’s ‘Open Sea’ translated in German
Jose “Butch” Dalisay, Jr’s ‘Last Call Manila: Roman’
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Esteemed fictionist, among others, and distinguished by the Palanca Memorial Awards as Hall of Fame winner Jose “Butch” Dalisay, Jr will have a series of book readings: October 17, 2pm (CEST) with translater Niko Fröba moderated by Rainier Nitsche; October 20, 12pm (CEST) with Fröba, Luna Sicat Cleto, and Annette Hug; and on October 22 at 8pm (CEST) at Ravensburg bookshop, Marienplatz 34, which happens after the main event at Messe Frankfurt.
Sicat Cleto, a renowned fictionist, essayist, playwright, scriptwriter, and academic, also has her own readings: October 19, at Off Stage Switzerland inside the FBM; October 21 and 23 at the Institut National Des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) Philippine Studies in Paris; and October 24 at the Palais Prinz Carl in Heidelberg for the Filipino and German Writers’ Fellowship.
Read more: National Artist Ricky Lee on the power of storytelling
The world of comics
Above A still from the animated version of ‘Trese’ (Photo: Netflix)
A still from the animated version of ‘Trese’ (Photo: Netflix)
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Komiket founder Paolo Herras and Trese author Budjette Tan are flying to the FBM, among others. On October 18 at the Art+ Stage, CCP Thirteen Artists awardee Marina Cruz is moderating a talk of Tan titled “The Art of Trese: From Comics to Animé”.
Fans of graphic novels and creative enthusiasts are also invited to join the Happy Hour event at the Comics Business Centre. Here, they may explore the colourful world of Philippine comics and meet fellow fans of sequential art.
Read more: Trese: A quick guide on the monsters of Philippine folklore—who is friendly and who is not?
On the Art+ Stage
Fran Alvarez (Photo: Fran Alvarez’s website)
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In addition to Tan’s talk, Frankfurt Book Fair’s Art+ Stage will host two more exciting Philippine-centric events for visitors and delegates.
On October 16, 2pm (CEST), Isabel Roxas and Fran Alvarez will talk about children’s literature and how diversity and representation have become central to it in this increasingly globalised world. Titled “Paper Skin and Dotting Eyes: A Conversation on Nuance and Representation in Children’s Books”, Ani Almario will be moderating the conversation of Roxas and Alvarez, two distinguished illustrators of books, on issues confronting their work and its implications for both their local markets that serve a global audience.
Some People Need Killing author Patricia Evangelista is set to have an interesting conversation with author and publisher Zoë Beck, moderated by Dinah Rama on October 17, 2pm (CEST). Titled “A Conversation Between Journalism and Fiction”, this talk allows us to see how many of the world’s great fictionists were, and are, also journalists. Extreme realities they cover as reportage easily move and transform into fiction that disturbs and resists. Evangelista and Beck discuss the intricate intersections of journalism and fiction.
*Update as of October 17 (2pm CEST): Beck was replaced by Italian novelist and screenwriter Francesca Melandri due to an emergency
Read more: Here are the winners of Front & Female Awards Philippines 2024
On the International Stage
Above Patricia Evangelista (Photo: Mark Nicdao)
Patricia Evangelista (Photo: Mark Nicdao)
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Evangelista, historian Ambeth Ocampo with Dalisay, and esteemed author and scholar Jaya Jacobo join the roster of some of the finest writers in the world at International Stage events.
Evangelista will talk about her acclaimed book Some People Need Killing at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 16, moderated by Karina Bolasco of NBDB and curator of the Guest of Honour participation of the Philippines in 2025.
Dalisay and Ocampo will tackle on October 17 Jose Rizal’s revolutionary 1887 work, Noli Me Tangere, which he wrote while staying in Heidelberg. This conversation between the Philippines’ expert scholar on Rizal and a multi-awarded fictionist will look into the convergences between history and literature. This not only highlights the Filipino connection to Germany but also teases what to expect at the 2025 Guest of Honour participation of the Philippines at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which carries the theme, “The imagination peoples the air”, a line quoted from Noli Me Tangere.
Lastly, gender studies professor Jacobo from Coventry University in England interrogates the challenges of gender politics and optics in international publishing. Moderated by acclaimed writer and founder of Kamarin Art Gallery, this talk, “The Politics of Gender in Publishing”, on October 18, asks how LGBTQIA+ people are being employed, portrayed, and represented.
Read more: ‘Why did they have to die?’: Inside Patricia Evangelista’s ‘Some People Need Killing’
On the New Adult Stage
Above At the 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair (Photo by Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
At the 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair (Photo by Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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Two young women behind share their adventures in starting and growing creative business models now breaking into the literary world market. Writer and mentor Mina Esguerra (Romance Class community founder) and curator and book reseller Anissa de Gomerey (Fairy Loot founder) will both explore the many new ways to diversify new adult romance in this talk moderated by Charisse Tugade of NBDB.
What’s next after the Frankfurt Book Fair?
Above José-Rizal-Straße street sign and José Rizal historical marker in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
José-Rizal-Straße street sign and José Rizal historical marker in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
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The NCCA and other organising partners prepared a series of kick-off activities at Heidelberg and Wilhemsfeld, two nearby places close to Rizal’s heart while in Germany. Following the handover ceremony on October 20, the Philippine delegation invites FBM visitors and delegates to culturally rich events until October 29. Watch this space to know more.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
