Ambeth Ocampo Unveils Rizal’s Hidden Frankfurt Connections in Rare Literary Tour
Historian Ambeth Ocampo led a captivating tour in Frankfurt, retracing the steps of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal. The tour, part of the Philippines' Guest of Honor program at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, was titled 'Rizal in Frankfurt'.
Ocampo, an advocate for Rizal's works, believes there's still much to explore about the hero despite extensive study. The tour aimed to connect Rizal's experiences in Frankfurt with his literary works, providing fresh insights into his life and thoughts.
Rizal, an admirer of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, sketched the German poet's likeness in his notebooks during his stay in Frankfurt. Ocampo guided the group through the city, highlighting Rizal's observations and comparisons, such as likening rivers he visited to the Pasig River back home. The tour ended with a light drizzle, as participants dispersed into Frankfurt's streets.
Ocampo's passion for Rizal's legacy extends to his digitization project. He is working to make Rizal's entire 25-volume corpus accessible online. Additionally, Ocampo is restoring the lost 30% of 'El Filibusterismo' that Rizal had to erase due to lack of funds. This restoration project seeks to preserve Rizal's original vision for his sequel to 'Noli Me Tangere'.
The tour was made possible by Senator Loren Legarda's vision a decade ago, championing the Philippines as the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025.
The 'Rizal in Frankfurt' tour offered a unique perspective on the Philippine national hero's experiences abroad and their influence on his literary works. Ocampo's ongoing efforts to digitize and restore Rizal's corpus ensure that future generations can access and appreciate the hero's writings. The tour was a testament to the enduring relevance of history and the power of literary works to connect cultures.
