On October 2, 2025, Bertelsmann welcomes the Guest of Honour of the Frankfurt Book Fair – this year, the Philippines – in Berlin.
A bridge from the past to the present: the motto of the guest country’s appearance »The Imagination Peoples The Air«, is a line from José Rizal’s classic »Noli Me Tangere« (1887). José Rizal is considered a national hero of the Philippines and the founder of modern Philippine literature. With his novels, he criticized colonial rule and combined political vision with literary expression – a tradition that continues in the work of many contemporary Filipino authors. Insights into the novel and its significance for Philippine literature will be provided by Sabine Erbrich, editor at Insel Verlag, which is publishing the book in German in 2025.
Author Ninotchka Rosca will share insights into her extensive literary work, taking her novel »State of War« (1988) as a starting point. The novel is now considered a classic of Philippine literature. Miguel Syjuco will present his latest novel, »I Was the President’s Mistress!!« (2022) – a politically charged story about power, manipulation, and media truths.
This event was organized jointly with the Frankfurt Book Fair and the National Book Development Board. With the kind support of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin.
Bertelsmann Repräsentanz
Unter den Linden 1
10117 Berlin
Thursday, Oktober 2, 2025, 7 p.m.
Language: English, consecutively interpreted into German
Recording available afterwards
