Ambeth Ocampo revives Rizal’s forgotten footsteps in Frankfurt’s literary tour
Philippine historian Ambeth Ocampo led a captivating historical tour in Frankfurt, retracing the steps of national hero Jose Rizal. The tour was a highlight of the Philippines' Guest of Honor appearance at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, organized by adobo magazine and the National Book Development Board.
Ocampo, known for his extensive work on Philippine history, guided participants through Frankfurt, focusing on Rizal's brief but significant presence in the city. The tour ended with a reflective note on how history is about connecting with the past in the present.
Rizal, who admired German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, sketched his likeness in his notebooks during his stay. Ocampo believes there's still much to learn about Rizal, despite decades of study. He aims to restore the lost 30% of 'El Filibusterismo' that Rizal erased due to lack of funds. Ocampo is also digitizing Rizal's entire 25-volume corpus for online access, annotated and searchable.
Rizal's books faced suppression in the Philippines. Notably, in 1957, the Catholic Church attempted to block the Rizal Law, which sought to make Rizal's birthday a national holiday.
The tour, part of the Philippines' Guest of Honor program, offered a unique perspective on Rizal's life and work. Ocampo's ongoing efforts to restore and digitize Rizal's works ensure that future generations can appreciate and learn from the national hero's legacy.
