Events
Join us in our journey through these activities that constitute the Philippines' Guest of Honour Program
Oculus
Stephanie Misa
Joscha Steffens
Artists
Patrick Flores
Curator
The Philippines Unveils ‘Oculus’ as its Inaugural Cultural Program as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025
Heightening anticipation for its Guest of Honour role at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025, the Philippines presents Oculus, an exhibition that brings together moving image, research and installation to reflect on what it means to “see things.”
Artists Stephanie Misa and Joscha Steffens work out how seeing, shaped by both ecology and imagination, can give rise to visions. Oculus immerses audiences in a space where scientific knowledge and aesthetic education intersect, and where the line between real and spectral blurs.
One of the entry points of the exhibition is Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal’s ophthalmological studies in Heidelberg and his novel, Noli Me Tangere, parts of which he wrote when he was in the same city.
Oculus will open on March 15, 2025, 18:00 at the Heidelberger Kunstverein
Presented by
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
National Book Development Board (NBDB)
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Office of Senator Loren Legarda
Talking Heads e. V.
HdKV Heidelberger Kunstverein
Baden-Württemberg Ministerium für Wissenschaft Forschung und Kunst
Philippines as Guest of Honour Press Talk Berlin
Resource Persons:
Daryll Delgado, J. Philip Ignacio
Authors
Juergen Boos
CEO and President FBM
Hon. Loren Legarda
Senator, Republic of the Philippines
Hon. Irene Susan B. Natividad
Ambassador of the Philippines to Germany
Karina Bolasco
Head of Literary Program
and Curator of Books
At its first press conference as Guest of Honour for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, the Philippines will unveil an exciting lineup of German-translated works, debut at the Leipzig Book Fair, and showcase cultural and literary programs featuring acclaimed authors and creators like climate fiction author Darryl Delgado (Remains) and graphic novelist/historical fiction author Jay Ignacio (Alandal).
Philippines at the Leipzig Book Fair
Resource Persons:
Stephanie Coo, Daryll Delgado, Ren Galeno, Paolo Herras, J. Philip Ignacio, Jessica Zafra, Kristian Cordero, Monica Frôhlich, Annette Hug
The Philippines is making a bold literary statement in Germany with its first-ever participation in the Leipziger Buchmesse (LBM), bringing seven acclaimed Filipino authors, three translators, one hundred fifty titles, and translated new German editions of Philippine books to one of Europe’s biggest literary events. The vibrant comic and manga scene is represented by Renren Galeno, J. Philip Ignacio, and Paolo Herras. Award-winning authors Daryll Delgado, Jessica Zafra, and Stephanie Coo, along with translators Kristian Cordero, Annette Hug and Monica Fröhlich, will provide insights into the country’s diverse literary landscape, addressing contemporary themes such as climate change, colonialism, globalization, and social inequality.