Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda and Dr. Juergen Boos, President and CEO of the Frankfurt Book Fair, meet during the Fair’s 71st edition at the city’s Convention Center.
18 October 2019 – The man at the helm of the world’s largest trading place for print and digital content, Dr. Juergen Boos, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF), warmly welcomed on 17 October 2019 the Honorable Loren Legarda, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, at the city’s Convention Center, which is currently hosting the 71st running of the FBF.
Dr. Boos expressed his appreciation to the Deputy Speaker for the gracious hospitality shown to him during his recent visit to the Philippines. As President and CEO of FBF, Dr. Boos is responsible for staging the gathering of several thousand representatives of book publishers, multimedia and technology companies and content providers from all over the world, who negotiate international publishing rights and license fees.
Deputy Speaker Legarda congratulated Dr. Boos for another successful Fair, tipping her hat to the German business executive for again spearheading the overall management of the event. A total of 7,450 exhibitors from 104 countries, including the Philippines, are taking part in the Fair, which is running from October 16 to 20.
Deputy Speaker Legarda is leading the largest-ever Philippine contingent to the annual Book Fair, with 16 co-exhibitors from the country’s publishing industry and officials representing the National Book Development Board, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Trade & Industry. Moreover, the Philippine pavilion has expanded in size – from 48 square meters in 2018 to 120 square meters this year.
The Representative from Antique has been a staunch advocate of the Philippines’ participation in the world’s most significant cultural events, including the Frankfurt Book Fair and Venice Biennale. “Our continuing presence with 16 participating publishers has been made possible by Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, especially during her term as senator. She is also responsible for our continuing participation at the Venice Bienale, focusing on Philippine visual art and architecture,” said National Book Development Board Chair Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz. Prior to her support of such cultural gatherings, Philippine attendance were irregular and subject to the whims of past officials.
Deputy Speaker Legarda was among the special guests at the Book Fair’s ceremonial opening last October 15, which was graced by Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, this year’s Guest of Honor country. The guest country presents its literature and culture at the Fair in Frankfurt, as well as many other locations throughout Germany. The Deputy Speaker is leading efforts for the Philippines to be accorded such status within the next few years, a feat that would provide the country with unparalleled recognition and attention in the literary field. (END)