Experts restoring works of Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - Two German professional conservators are doing restoration and conservation work on three original manuscripts of “Noli Me Tangere,” “El Filibusterismo” and “Mi Ultimo Adios,” masterpieces of national hero Dr. José Rizal.

The duo, in coordination with the National Library of the Philippines, would also work on “Guillermo Tell,” Rizal’s Tagalog translation of Friedrich Schiller’s “Wilhelm Tell,” from late April until middle of May this year.

The experts from the Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach (German Literature Archive in Marbach, Germany) have examined and documented the state of the novels, poem and translation.

In a press statement coursed through the Cebu-based Peace Conflict Journalism (Pecojon), a German funded non-governmental group working to promote peace and conflict-sensitive journalism among Filipino media practitioners, the German experts recommended applicable and appropriate conservation and storage techniques in order to ensure the long-term availability of the works.

The project is funded by the Federal Government of Germany as part of its Cultural Preservation Program and by the National Library of the Philippines.

Pecojon said this highlights Germany’s long-standing cultural relationship with the Philippines and, in particular, the legacy of Dr. José Rizal.

The multi-talented poet and national hero studied in the city of Heidelberg. His famous novel “Noli Me Tangere” was first published in Berlin. He serves as a symbolic figure of the deep cultural relations between the Philippines and Germany.

The completion of the project on time and the handing over ceremony will be an important part of this year’s activities in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero on June 19.