Philippines to serve as Guest of Honour at 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair

The Philippines will be the Guest of Honour at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany from October 15 to 19, 2025.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s oldest and largest book fair, bringing together publishers, writers, and cultural institutions from around the world.

As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will present its literature, arts, and culture to an international audience through a national pavilion and a series of events.

The country’s selection was made possible through efforts that began in 2015, led by Senator Loren Legarda in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Philippine Pavilion, designed by Stanley Ruiz, will occupy a 2,000-square-meter space at the fairgrounds. It will feature local materials such as kapis, piña, and bamboo, arranged in a circular layout representing the country’s island identity. The exhibit will include literary and artistic presentations built around six themes: That You May Know Us, What Moves Us, While We Are Away, What Bewitches Us, What We Imagine, and What We Keep and Remember.

The Pavilion’s theme, “The imagination peoples the air,” is taken from José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which was first published in Germany in 1887. According to organizers, the theme reflects the power of imagination in shaping stories and national identity.

In addition to the pavilion, the Philippine National Stand will showcase thousands of titles for international rights sales, while the “Jeepney Journey” at Rossmarkt Square will serve as a mobile venue for cultural activities. The country’s participation will also include performances, exhibitions, and film screenings in various venues across Frankfurt.

Senator Legarda is scheduled to deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Organizers said the Philippines’ role as Guest of Honour is both a cultural and economic opportunity to highlight Filipino creativity and strengthen international partnerships in the literary and publishing sectors.