PHILIPPINE EMBASSY JOINS BERLIN’S FIRST GLOBAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR
Cultural Attaché Catherine Ramintas and Ms. Mylah Ann Rubio at the Divan Center’s International Children’s Book Fair
BERLIN, 14 April 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Berlin took part as an exhibitor in the First International Children’s Book Fair, held at and hosted by the Divan Arabic Culture House from from 11 to 13 April 2025. Joining a global celebration of storytelling and cultural exchange, the event featured books in more than 20 languages and a mix of publishers, cultural institutions, and diplomatic missions.
This marked the first-ever Kinderbuchmesse (Children’s Book Fair) organized by the Divan Arabic Culture House, which regularly hosts the annual Arabic Book Fair in Berlin. The new initiative expands the organization’s literary and cultural programming to younger audiences, highlighting the role of children’s literature in fostering intercultural understanding.
In his welcome remarks, H.E. Abdalla Al Hamar, Ambassador of the State of Qatar and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Divan, speaking on behalf of the Divan Arabic Culture House, underscored the importance of literature in nurturing a more inclusive world. He shared that the theme of the fair, “The Future is Us,” was a tribute to the shared responsibility of shaping a compassionate future through the minds of children.
“Books are a window to the world,” he said. “They allow children to dream without borders. The world we shape must be one of empathy and understanding across cultures. Today, we honor the role of books in sparking curiosity, teaching compassion, and bringing people together.”
Ambassador Irene Susan B. Natividad and Mr. Lorens Al Hennawi, Divan Arabic Culture House Director, visit multi-lingual publisher booths
The fair gathered embassies and cultural organizations from around Berlin in an effort to make diverse stories accessible to children in Berlin. Through booths filled with books in Arabic, German, English, Tagalog, Turkish, Bahasa Indonesia, Ukrainian, and other languages, the event showcased literature as a powerful bridge for dialogue, inclusion, and shared dreams.
The Philippine Embassy’s participation reflected its continuing commitment to promoting Philippine culture and literature in Germany, particularly in the lead-up to the Philippines’ role as Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) in 2025.
The Embassy’s curated selection of Filipino children’s books offered visitors a glimpse into the richness of Philippine storytelling traditions and the growing body of contemporary literature for young readers. As part of a broader network of cultural exchanges and literary diplomacy, the Embassy’s presence at the Kinderbuchmesse complements ongoing efforts to build interest and momentum for the Philippines’ spotlight year at one of the world’s most prestigious publishing events, while also advancing inclusive, multilingual, and globally engaged cultural dialogue. (END)
