From Calamba to Frankfurt

BREAKTHROUGH

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

Because I am an avid reader and a strong supporter of Philippine books and the publishing industry, I am always interested in industry developments and these days, in the country's participation as the Guest of Honor (GoH) at the Frankfurter Buchmesse on Oct. 14-19. I get more than an armchair view because my wife Neni was former chair of the National Book Development Board and today is a member of the GoH Core Team as co-chair of the Translation Committee and is always enthused about the project.

I am giving her column space today: Today was the fourth press conference we have had for GoH. The first was in Frankfurt in October last year, the second was in March 2025 in Berlin, the third in June 2025 in Frankfurt. The fourth and final one was fittingly held in Manila for the local press. These press conferences have always featured authors whose books have been translated into German. In the previous such conferences, we have had Butch Dalisay, Allan Derain, Daryll Delgado, Jay Ignacio, Paolo Herras, Blaise Gacoscos, London-based Candy Gourlay.