'WE ARE A NATION OF STORYTELLERS, JUST LIKE RIZAL'

It's happening finally: the Philippines will assume main character duties as the Guest of Honour (GoH) country at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM) next year—a move that was envisioned by Senator Loren Legarda, with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) working together with the senator in fleshing out that vision.

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During the press conference heralding how the concerned agencies and individuals will tackle this grand undertaking, Frankfurter Buchmesse director Juergen Boos expressed his excitement and pride in welcoming the Philippines as it showcases its rich literary and cultural heritage on the global stage.

The archipelago is made up of 7,641 islands and, according to Boos, "Every island has a story to tell—and we want to hear them all." This has a special meaning for the FBM executive because he has lived in Heidelberg for many years. "In Heidelberg, I often pass along Jose Rizal Road next to the Neckar River. Rizal lived and wrote there. Thus, we look forward to learning more about the rich Filipino storytelling tradition, about the talented authors, illustrators and creative voices from your country."

NBDB's Karina Bolasco, head of the literary program, talked about how Philippine literature is as vast and as rich as its history of conquests and resistance. As National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin once said, our heritage isn't simply a story of colonial trauma, but rather an enrichment—a hybrid of cultures that we can be proud of. We embrace the tools and technologies brought by colonizers, layering them atop our native roots, which has made our literature richer and more diverse.