Stories from 7,000 islands

This autumn, visitors to Frankfurt will be able to walk across an archipelago in the Philippines Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. As Guest of Honour, the Philippines has brought islands to the trade show, inspired by the diversity of the nation’s own islands, their shapes, colours and materials. More than one hundred Filipino authors and artists are travelling to Frankfurt to tell the stories of their country’s 7,641 islands, from climate fiction to colonialism and urgent social issues. Numerous literary events and performances will illustrate the breadth of Filipino literature at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair, which runs from 15 to 19 October 2025. 

Frankfurt Book Fair: where the world’s literary scene gathers

While the Filipino pavilion is dedicated to a literary landscape which many people are only just beginning to discover, the Book Fair itself remains the shop window for the world’s book trade. Thousands of exhibitors from over 90 countries are expected to attend this year, and the event’s organisers say they anticipate the world’s largest trade fair for the publishing industry to attract over 200,000 visitors. 

Debates over culture and politics

The Centre Stage is a new feature. Entitled “Frankfurt Calling – Perspectives on Culture and Politics”, the stage is hosting debates on human rights, the freedom of expression, and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Authoritarianism, resistance and the role of AI in work and society will also be scrutinised. Other dominant themes of the event include diversity in publishing and AI in book manufacture and marketing. 

Programme for younger readers

There’s plenty here for young fans, too, with meetings of romantasy and fantasy communities in dedicated spaces. Manga, comics and webtoons are congregating in their own Business Centre, and the social media platform TikTok will be awarding the TikTok Book Awards for the third time.