14 July 2025 – Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos joined young literature enthusiasts at the International Youth Library’s White Ravens Festival for International Children’s and Youth Literature, held at Schloss Blutenburg in Munich, to support Filipino author Irene Sarmiento. Sarmiento, author of Stray Cats, represented the Philippines on the Festival’s White Sofa stage, sharing her work and reflections on cultural identity, migration, and her experiences as a Filipino immigrant writer based in the United States. Her book, Stray Cats, was awarded the Philippine National Children’s Book Award in 2024 and continues to earn recognition for its literary merit and cultural depth.
The White Ravens Festival, held under the patronage of the Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts, gathers authors and illustrators from around the world to celebrate outstanding children’s and youth literature and foster cross-cultural dialogue through storytelling.
The participation of a Philippine author in the festival comes as Filipino literature continues to gain visibility internationally. Alongside this event, the Philippines is preparing to be Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, further highlighting the country’s diverse literary voices on the global stage. END
