18
SEPT
2024
Book Author Maria Renker Joins the Philippine Food and Culture Fest at Villa Fora in Munich Munich
September 10, 2023 — The vibrant Filipino community in Germany came alive at Villa Fora for the first Philippine Food and Culture Fest. Maria Renker, the author of Pastel Dinos, joined the event. It was a grand celebration of Filipino heritage, showcased an array of Filipino food vendors and Filipino-owned businesses, drawing hundreds of attendees from across Germany.
Maria Renker, best known for her whimsical and colorful book Pastel Dinos, added a literary sparkle to the festival. She engaged with the Filipino community, signed books, and shared her inspiration behind her beloved pastel-colored dinosaur characters. Her presence underscored the event’s celebration of Filipino talent and creativity beyond just cuisine.
The festival, organized by Sarah Gidinski, owner of Kalidad Foods, was a testament to the strength and unity of the Filipino community in Germany. Gidinski's vision brought together a diverse group of Filipino entrepreneurs and artists, providing them with a platform to showcase their products and talents. Attendees enjoyed a plethora of Filipino delicacies, from savory adobo and lechon to sweet treats like halo-halo and bibingka.
The event also featured traditional Filipino music and dance performances, creating an authentic cultural experience for everyone. Throughout the day, the festive atmosphere was punctuated by exciting prize giveaways, adding to the community spirit and joy of the gathering. Maria Renker's involvement in the Philippine Food and Culture Fest not only highlighted the rich literary and artistic contributions of Filipinos but also reinforced the importance of cultural events in fostering community and preserving heritage. As the sun set over Villa Fora, the festival concluded on a high note, leaving attendees with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for Filipino culture.
MRenkerBooks Participates in the 2023 Frankfurter Buchmesse, Philippines Named Guest of Honour for 2025
MRenkerBooks, an emerging independent publishing house, took part in the prestigious Frankfurter Buchmesse in October 2023. Co-founders Michael and Maria Renker represented the company at the booth hosted by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) of the Philippines. This participation underscored MRenkerBooks' growing presence in the global literary scene and its commitment to supporting Filipino literature and authors on an international platform.
The Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM), held annually in mid-October in Frankfurt, Germany, is the world’s largest trade fair for books. It brings together thousands of publishing companies, literary agents, authors, and professionals from around the globe. In 2023, the fair saw approximately 125,000 visitors, marking a notable increase from previous years and showing recovery from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Over its five-day duration, the fair is open exclusively to professionals for the first three days, with the weekend reserved for the general public.
Looking ahead, the 2025 edition of the Frankfurter Buchmesse will see the Philippines take the spotlight as the Guest of Honour. This honor was formally announced in August 2023 during a signing ceremony in Davao, Philippines, attended by Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurter Buchmesse, and officials from the NBDB. The Philippines’ participation will mark the second time a Southeast Asian country has been featured as the Guest of Honour, following Indonesia's turn in 2015.
As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will have a unique opportunity to showcase its rich literary heritage, culture, and arts to a global audience. This milestone will serve as a catalyst for increasing international recognition of Filipino authors and publishers, with MRenkerBooks expected to play a pivotal role in contributing to the success of the country’s literary presentation in Frankfurt. With its presence at the 2023 Frankfurter Buchmesse, MRenkerBooks continues to establish itself as a key player in the international publishing landscape, promoting the diversity and creativity of Filipino literature on one of the world's biggest literary stages.
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MRenkerBooks Hosts Literary Program
at Ube Festival in Wiesbaden
September 18, 2024
The Ube Festival in Wiesbaden, Hesse, was a resounding success, highlighted by the participation and hosting of the literary program by Maria Renker, the celebrated author of „Pastel Dinos“. The event, which attracted hundreds of community members, was a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture, featuring a diverse array of Filipino food vendors and businesses from across Germany.
Book Author Maria Renker, joined by TalkAlley co-host Michael Renker, led the literary segment, engaging the audience with insightful readings, from various authors who are members of the Philippine Literary Circle Europe, of their popular book. The program offered a unique blend of storytelling and cultural exchange, underscoring the festival's theme of unity and heritage.
The Ube Festival, organized by Paula Salangsang and Philnity e.V., in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, the Department of Tourism, and the Philippine Literary Circle Europe, was a testament to the rich and diverse Filipino culture. The festival featured mouth-watering Filipino delicacies, music, and exciting prize giveaways, creating an atmosphere of joy and community spirit. Guest performers Juan Geck and Joy Esquivias, known for their performances on „The Voice Germany“, captivated the audience with their musical talents, adding to the event's festive ambiance. Their performances were a highlight, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.
The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt introduced the “UBE in Germany” campaign, an initiative that started in 2022 in Sankt Augustin, North Rhine-Westphalia.
The campaign expanded to Oberasbach, Bavaria last year and has now brought its vibrant celebrations to Wiesbaden, Hesse. The campaign aims to promote Filipino culture and strengthen the community's presence in Germany. The Ube Festival not only celebrated the beloved Filipino ube (purple yam) but also showcased the talents and entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos in Germany.
The event provided a platform for Filipino-owned businesses to thrive and for community members to connect and celebrate their heritage. Maria Renker’s hosting of the literary program added a significant cultural and educational dimension to the festival, emphasizing the importance of literature in preserving and promoting Filipino culture. Her collaboration with Michael Renker made the program engaging and informative, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.
Both hosts highlighted that The Philippines will be the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. The event is an inter-agency program of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the office of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda. As the Ube Festival concluded, it left the Filipino community in Wiesbaden with a sense of pride and unity.
The success of the event promises even greater celebrations in the future, ensuring that the vibrant Filipino culture continues to flourish in Germany
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