Loren Legarda leads Philippines’ milestone debut as Guest of Honour at Frankfurt Book Fair

The wait is finally over. From 15 to 19 October, the Philippines will make history as the Guest of Honour at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 in Germany — the oldest and largest book fair in the world, known as an international landmark and model for cultural exchange.

Although the Philippines has participated in the fair since 1998, this marks its first time as Guest of Honour, a rare distinction that places Filipino creativity and literature at the forefront of the global stage.

The journey to becoming Guest of Honour began in 2015, when Senator Loren Legarda spearheaded efforts to secure the role for the Philippines. Legarda led cultural delegations to Frankfurt, forged partnerships among key government agencies, and championed long-term literary diplomacy.

Over the next decade, she worked closely with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to pave the way for the country’s selection as Guest of Honour for 2025.

“Being Guest of Honour is more than a ceremonial title,” Legarda emphasized. “It is a valuable cultural and economic opportunity.”

As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will host its own 2,000-square-meter pavilion, a specially designed showcase of the nation’s literary, artistic, and cultural identity. The pavilion, designed by Stanley Ruiz, features local materials such as kapis, piña, and bamboo, fused with modern design. Its circular layout symbolizes the Philippines’ island spirit — kind, generous, and connected.

Inside, visitors will experience exhibitions, performances, and literary events organized 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 fair’s central theme, “The imagination peoples the air,” is drawn from Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere”, first published in Germany in 1887. The phrase reflects how imagination shapes national identity and fills the world with ideas and stories that transcend borders.

“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,” said Legarda.

Beyond the main pavilion, the Philippine National Stand will feature thousands of local titles for international rights sales, while the “Jeepney Journey” installation at Rossmarkt Square will transform a jeepney into a mobile stage for workshops and cultural exchange.

The country’s participation will also include film screenings, performances, and art exhibitions across Frankfurt.

Legarda will deliver the keynote message at the Frankfurt Book Fair’s Opening Ceremony, recognizing her pivotal role in bringing the Philippines to this global milestone.

“The Frankfurt Book Fair is a chance to change that story and show the world a nation that is not only resilient, but also creative, generous, and imaginative,” the statement read.