Award-winning Pinoy author featured in German literary fest

An award-winning Filipino novelist, Miguel Syjuco, was one of the honored guests at the 11th International Literature Festival Berlin from September 7 to 17. The Philippine Embassy in Berlin said Syjuco, based in Montreal, Canada, was only the third Filipino writer to be invited to the prestigious literature festival held every two years. "He (Syjuco) discussed his award-winning novel "Ilustrado" before a packed crowd of literature enthusiasts from Germany and other nationals from all over the world," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Syjuco won the Man Asian Literary Prize and Palanca Award in 2008 for his novel "Ilustrado," a thriller-cum-political novel on a migrant Filipino's search for his mentor's killer. The novel — published in more than a dozen languages, including German — was a commentary on Philippine life and politics. The DFA said the festival's special focus this year is the Asia Pacific region. The festival aims to make the literature and culture of the region accessible to a wider audience, promote mutual understanding, and a lively exchange among the authors and artists. - VVP, GMA News