MANILA — The Philippines is set to make history as the Guest of Honour at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 in Germany from October 15 to 19, marking the first time the country has been given this distinction at the world’s oldest and largest book fair.

The milestone comes nearly a decade after Senator Loren Legarda began the effort in 2015 to secure the Guest of Honour role for the Philippines. Legarda spearheaded cultural delegations to Frankfurt, convened key cultural agencies, and championed long-term support for literary diplomacy. Her work with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)eventually led to the Philippines’ selection for 2025.

“The imagination peoples the air, and we are ready to breathe new life into the world’s understanding of what Philippine literature means. Ours is not just beautiful stories, but essential ones that the world needs to hear, engage with, understand, and appreciate,” Legarda said.

As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will occupy a 2,000-square-meter Philippine Pavilion, the centerpiece of its participation, designed by Stanley Ruiz using local materials such as kapis, piña, and bamboo. The pavilion’s circular layout embodies the spirit of the archipelago—connected, kind, and generous.

The pavilion’s theme, “The imagination peoples the air,” is drawn from José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, published in Germany in 1887. The line captures the idea that imagination shapes how people understand and transform the world—a fitting metaphor for the Philippines’ literary and artistic voice on the global stage.

Inside, visitors can explore exhibitions, performances, and discussions organized around six thematic sections: That You May Know Us, What Moves Us, While We Are Away, What Bewitches Us, What We Imagine, and What We Keep and Remember.

Beyond the Pavilion, the Philippine National Stand will feature thousands of titles for international rights sales, while the “Jeepney Journey” installation at Rossmarkt Square transforms the iconic vehicle into a mobile venue for cultural exchange, workshops, and performances.

The Philippines’ presence at the Frankfurt Book Fair also includes film screenings, performances, and exhibitionsacross the city, highlighting the country’s creative industries and rich cultural diversity.

Legarda, recognized as the driving force behind the country’s historic participation, will deliver the keynote address at the fair’s Opening Ceremony.

The Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 marks a defining moment for Philippine arts and culture—an opportunity, Legarda said, “to show the world a nation that is not only resilient but also creative, generous, and imaginative.”