This year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse wrapped up its five-day celebration of books and culture with the traditional handover ceremony, where Guest of Honour Italy officially passed the spotlight to the Philippines.

Photo byFrankfurter Buchmesse / Marc Jacquemin

This last year was Italy’s second turn as Guest of Honour (the first was in 1988). this year’s Book Fair offered a multifaceted look at the Italian literary scene. Over 90 Italian authors participated in readings, talks, and discussions. The Italian Guest of Honour Pavilion served as a hub for these activities, with additional information and activities in German and English, for readers, publishers and industry interested in Italian lit.

Next year’s featured guest will be the Philippines. The theme for 2025 is “The imagination peoples the air,” which connects to Philippine literary tradition, and sounds appealing to all readers of fiction. The theme is inspired by a line from Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.

Philippine literature is enjoying increased global recognition in recent years. More works are being translated into foreign languages, including English, which helps international readers discover the country’s rich storytelling traditions and just find fun new fiction to enjoy. Graphic novels and specfic, in particular, are taking off. At the same time, many Philippines publishers are working to bring fiction and non-fiction from indigenous writers to light.

As the Philippines takes the spotlight next year, fans of international fiction will have a lot to enjoy.