Where Global Stories Converge
From its modest beginnings in 1949, when postwar publishers gathered in Frankfurt to rebuild and share new ideas, the Frankfurter Buchmesse has grown into the world’s most important international book fair. Over the decades, it has transformed from a regional gathering of German publishers into a global platform where stories are launched, partnerships are forged, and the future of publishing is shaped. That journey of steady growth, vision, and innovation is what makes the fair so influential today.
Now celebrating its 77th year, the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 is set to host more than 7,500 exhibitors from across the globe. It offers far more than book displays: visitors can explore groundbreaking titles, attend insightful discussions with leading authors and thinkers, witness the latest in publishing technology, and discover how books continue to evolve across media and cultures. It’s not just a fair — it’s a creative crossroads where tradition meets tomorrow.
The Imagination Peoples the Air
Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025
Adding to the excitement, the Philippines takes center stage as the Guest of Honour for 2025, presenting the theme “The Imagination Peoples the Air” — a powerful nod to the nation’s storytelling spirit inspired by José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. With over a hundred Filipino authors, artists, and events bringing the country’s rich literary heritage and contemporary voices to Frankfurt, this year’s fair celebrates not only books but also the vibrant diversity of global storytelling.
Amid this extraordinary celebration of ideas and imagination, Kravitz & Sons proudly showcases An Intimate Guyana Journey: A Pomeroon Destiny Uncovered — a multigenerational tale that carries the rhythm of the river, the heartbeat of heritage, and the quiet power of reconciliation.
The Global Citizen Behind the Story
Joseph Mahase is a Canadian author of Guyanese origin whose life and work have been shaped by a profound connection to both his homeland and the wider world. Born and raised in the Pomeroon District of Guyana, Mahase’s early years among the rivers and villages of the coast left an indelible mark on his imagination. His academic and professional path later took him across continents — studying in Trinidad, Ireland, England, and Wales, and working in over twenty-five countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada.
Most of his career was spent in national development and as an international civil servant with United Nations organizations, where he focused on programs that uplift communities and strengthen nations. Today, Mahase lives in Mississauga, Canada, with his wife Maria, their children Wenonah and Jose-Maria, and their spirited Yorkiepoo, Maya. His writing reflects a lifetime of cross-cultural understanding, compassion, and appreciation for human resilience. An Intimate Guyana Journey marks his first published work — a debut that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
A River of Stories and the Tides of Time
Set along the lush, untamed coast of Guyana, An Intimate Guyana Journey unfolds as a lyrical and emotional coming-of-age story spanning four generations and nearly a century — from 1873 to 1972. The novel follows Vernon, a young boy whose life takes an unexpected turn when his mother falls gravely ill, sending him to live with Madeline, the elderly owner of the plantation where his father works. What begins as an act of necessity becomes a journey of revelation.
As the story deepens, Madeline begins to unravel her family’s long-buried history — a tapestry woven with love, loss, secrets, and redemption. Her connection to Vernon’s mother slowly surfaces, revealing a shared lineage that transcends time and pain. Through evocative storytelling, Mahase captures both the beauty and complexity of human relationships, the fragility of forgiveness, and the enduring strength of love that bridges generations.
This isn’t just a novel about family; it’s about belonging — to a place, a people, and the shared pulse of history. Mahase writes with sensitivity and precision, painting Guyana not just as a setting but as a living character — one that breathes through its rivers, forests, and memories.
Why It Belongs on the Global Stage
In a world where identity and heritage often collide, An Intimate Guyana Journey stands as a moving reminder that the past isn’t something to escape — it’s something to understand. Its presence at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025 amplifies a story rooted in one nation yet relevant to all.
Mahase’s novel bridges continents and generations, reminding readers that compassion and reconciliation are timeless human needs. Through its vivid storytelling and emotional honesty, the book captures the essence of what the Buchmesse celebrates — the power of stories to connect, heal, and transform.
An Intimate Guyana Journey isn’t just a debut; it’s a declaration — that even from the smallest corners of the world, stories can ripple outward and touch the global heart.
