Jeepney Arrives in Germany: A Colorful Filipino Welcome in Frankfurt
In the heart of Roßmarkt Square, central Frankfurt, an emblem of Filipino ingenuity and community spirit has rolled into the spotlight. The Philippine jeepney, a vehicle known for its vibrant colors and social charm, is part of the “Jeepney Journey” side event at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which this year celebrates the Philippines as the guest of honor.
The jeepney’s owner is mechanical engineer Jurgen Stemmann. He explains that his brother acquired the vehicle in 2007 and eventually brought it to Germany. The display is more than a static exhibit: it is a deliberate act of sharing, a bridge between two cultures through a familiar, communal form of transportation.
A Symbol of Community and Connection
Stemmann describes the jeepney as the “king of Philippine roads,” a vehicle repurposed from wartime origins into a space where passengers sit facing each other, creating an intimate atmosphere. “The jeepney was originally used in the war. Filipinos repurposed it and put seats inside that face each other. Passengers sit very close to each other—and that is what we need in Germany: the feeling of closeness together,” he notes.
Frankfurt’s City Government invited Stemmann to bring the jeepney from northern Germany to the city, aiming to infuse the festival with a colorful Filipino fiesta. The event, as explained by Frankfurt City Councillor Stephanie Wüst, integrates a diverse musical and literary program with the jeepney serving as a living space for exchange, workshops, and cultural encounters.
Jeepney as a Cultural Space
To locals and visitors alike, the jeepney has become a magnet for conversations and selfies. Filipina visitors Aurea Domingo, Hermenegilda Marquez, Lolita Meider, and Joy Ramos shared with GMA Integrated News that seeing the jeepney in Frankfurt felt like a proud moment for the diaspora. Domingo joked about the contrast with German luxury cars, highlighting cultural pride and the jeepney’s iconic status.
Representatives from the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt joined the event, emphasizing how such displays help Filipinos gravitate toward each other while introducing Filipino culture to a broader audience. Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos described the jeepney as more than nostalgia; it is a symbol of Filipino identity that resonates with people around the world.
Equality, Optimism, and Shared Experience
Consul General Abalos framed the jeepney as a beacon of Filipino resilience.—a vehicle that embodies happiness and optimism even amid global uncertainty. The jeepney, paired with the festival’s literary and artistic elements, offers a tangible way for the international community to understand Filipino culture. It’s about sharing stories, crafts, and ways of living that invite dialogue and mutual appreciation.
For Charisse Aquino Tugade, co-director of the Frankfurt Book Fair and director of the PhilippineNBDB, the discovery of the jeepney felt serendipitous. She views the display as a meaningful component of the Philippines’ broader presence at the festival and a testament to the power of cultural exchange.
A Symbol of Culture in Motion
“The jeepney represents me and many Filipinos because we wear our hearts in our sleeves. If you look at the jeepney, you will see where someone is from, what they are going through, and aspire to be,” Tugade reflected. As the Book Fair continues, the jeepney will remain a focal point for conversations about heritage, mobility, and the ways communities carry their stories across borders.
The Jeepney Journey at the Frankfurt Book Fair confirms that culture travels well—and so do the books, authors, and illustrators who bring it to life. In Roßmarkt Square, a bright, moving invitation to learn, share, and celebrate the Filipino spirit endures beyond the pages of any festival program.
