PH is set to shine at the Frankfurt Book Fair

Frankfurt Book Fair CEO Juergen Boos shares what it means for our country to be the Guest of Honor

- POCH EULALIA

Filipino literature and culture are expected to make waves at the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair as the Philippines finds itself as the Guest of Honor for the world's largest book fair. It is set to take place from Oct. 15 to 19, 2025, at the Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany.

Already, there is a slate of programs and performances set to showcase just how far-reaching the country's influence can be. Unique events to look out for include FlipTop's Anygma, who will discuss how the battle rap format largely influenced Filipino hip-hop culture and made it a global phenomenon, and discussions about the Filipino comics industry with artists like Manix Abrera, Dione Kong, Budjette Tan, and Jay Ignacio taking the helm.

To give emphasis on how grand the scale of the fair is, last year had over 230,000 attendees from more than 100 countries. In its five days, the fair also operates as a time for publishers and agencies to acquire translation rights. It’s a prime time for authors, illustrators, publishers, creators, and bookworms to connect with one another.

Ahead of this year’s event, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle chats with Frankfurt Book Fair CEO Juergen Boos to learn more about what it means for the Philippines to be the Guest of Honor this year and more.

What does it mean to be the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair?