DAS GASTLAND DER FRANKFURTER BUCHMESSE 2025 PHILIPPINEN: »FANTASIE BESEELT DIE LUFT« MIT JESSICA ZAFRA, KATRINA TUVERA, ALLAN N. DERAIN UND ANNETTE HUG

In the organizer's words:

An event organized by Literaturhaus Bonn.

Moderation and translation: Annette Hug
Reading of the German texts: Tatjana Pasztor

Event in German, English and Tagalog

"Imagination animates the air" - The Guest of Honour motto of the Philippines at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 builds a bridge to the country's vibrant cultural and literary spectrum.
As is tradition, Literaturhaus Bonn will be presenting renowned authors and texts from the guest country on the eve of the fair:

"A RATHER NAUGHTY GIRL"
Guada grows up in Manila with her mother, a teacher, after her father, a sailor and womanizer, runs away. To supplement her income, her mother sells homemade street food. Her cooking skills are discovered by a wealthy entrepreneur, who hires her and lets her and Guada live in his luxury mansion. A completely different world opens up for Guada, she feels repulsed by the lifestyle and arrogance of the rich as well as by her mother's submissive behavior. The girl wants nothing to do with what she sees as a sick, unjust society, withdraws from school, is severely bullied - and leaves everything behind in a fast-paced final chapter.

Jessica Zafra, born in 1965, is one of the Philippines' best-known authors. She writes columns for the "New Yorker" and "Newsweek", among others, mainly on cultural topics, is a film and literary critic, also works as a television journalist and writes screenplays. "Ein ziemlich böses Mädchen" (The Age of Umbrage), German by Niko Fröba, is her first novel. It was published in 2021 and reached its 5th edition in 2024.

"THE COLLABORATORS"
As the 20th century draws to a close, an entire nation is eagerly following the impeachment proceedings against the country's president. Meanwhile, Carlos Armando is on his deathbed. While his wife and daughter cannot stop arguing even during their hospital visits, he begins to remember - first of all his childhood in the country at the time of the war, the independence of the Philippines, the rise of Marcos and the military dictatorship. Betrayal and conformity, rebellion and subordination determine his own life as well as that of his best friend, who pays a high price for it.

Katrina Tuvera has published a short story collection and two novels, for each of which she received the National Book Award of the Philippines, as well as co-editing two anthologies of Filipino literature. She lives in Manila. "The Collaborators" is her first book in German (translation: Jan Karsten).

"THE SEA OF ASWANG"
The signs can no longer be overlooked: The girl Luklak is turning into a crocodile. An aswang to be precise, a mythical creature from the Philippines. Fascinated, Luklak discovers the power of her new body, but her father despairs. In search of a cure, he wanders through the village, where the inhabitants are afraid of an imminent pirate attack. Luklak's father wants to ask the wise men for help, but when a Spanish priest, a monkey in red trousers and a bunch of soul birds get involved, the venture gets out of hand.

In his exhilarating novel (German by Annette Hug), Allan N. Derain tells of ghosts, myths and legends, of zealous priests and colonial rulers, of father and daughter and the amazing journey of a courageous girl.

Allan N. Derain is an author and teaches creative writing, art history and Philippine literature at the Ateneo de Manila University. He is also the director of the AILAP (Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices). Several of his books have won the Philippine National Book Award. He lives in Manila.

In cooperation with the Bundeskunsthalle
Supported by Pro Helvetia and the Kunststiftung NRW

Bundeskunsthalle Bonn, Helmut-Kohl-Allee 4, Bonn
Tickets in advance via Bonnticket 19 € / 12 € / 2,50 €, Box Office 21 € / 14 € / 3 €

Price information:

Tickets in advance via Bonnticket 19 € / 12 € / 2,50 €, Box Office 21 € / 14 € / 3 €