Irene Sarmiento, author of the novel Stray Cats, will represent the Philippines as the first Filipino writer invited to the White Ravens Festival in Munich, Germany.
The White Ravens Festival, held annually at Blutenburg Castle, spotlights outstanding children’s and young adult literature from around the world. The event is organized by the International Youth Library and operates under the patronage of the Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts. It features acclaimed, multi-award-winning authors and literary figures.
Sarmiento’s participation is scheduled for July 17, where she will conduct readings and engage in literary activities at schools across Bavaria. The festival itself runs from July 13 to 17, 2025.
The Ateneo University Press congratulated Sarmiento in a Facebook post, highlighting her groundbreaking role as the first Filipino author invited to the festival.
Stray Cats, published in 2023 by Ateneo de Manila University Press, tells the story of Elisa Paz, an eighth grader who embarks on a quest to find her best friend Raquel Madria, aided by Oscar Santos, a talking cat.
This invitation marks a significant milestone for Filipino literature on the international stage.
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