Time for books and roses at Instituto Cervantes
MANILA, Philippines - Instituto Cervantes de Manila celebrates Día Internacional del Libro (International Book Day) from April 23 to 25 with readings and lectures, cinema, dance, concerts and other cultural events.
First introduced in Manila in 2006 by Instituto Cervantes, the tradition of Día del Libro began in Barcelona, Spain where, on St. George’s Day, people would exchange roses for books. This tradition encourages book lovers from all walks of life to gather and indulge their literary passion. It inspired a Spanish delegation to propose to UNESCO that April 23 be proclaimed as “International Book Day.”
It was unanimously adopted in 1995 and celebrated ever since. This date also commemorates the deaths of two of history’s greatest writers, Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, who coincidentally died also in the same year, 1616.
In 2006, Día del Libro was brought to Manila by Instituto Cervantes where it has become an annual activity since. Due to its success, it has been expanded to three days. One day of book selling, two days of partying, three days of learning and a whole lot more. The Día del Libro is a cultural benchmark that promises to be fun, festive and diverse.
Instituto Cervantes director José “Pepe” Rodriguez explained that Dia del Libro festivities are in line with the institution’s goal in bringing back Manila as the cultural capital of Asia.
“The Philippines was once the cultural capital of South east Asia. We are here to showcase our common rich culture and traditions by bringing a gamut of special events,” Rodriguez explained. “We started the reading campaign in the three urban rail transportation systems in Metro Manila by launching the Berso sa Metro in LRT1, LRT2 and MRT. Now, we are continuing to bring back the Dia del Libro tradition in the Philippines.”
He added, “The Dia del Libro is a day of fun for the whole family. And most importantly, this is a day where people of all ages and from all walks of life can find joy and refuge through literature. Reading offers us a chance to see the world from someone else’s eyes, thus broadening our horizons and opening our minds to new opportunities.”
To open this year’s book fair activities, renowned Argentinean poet Juan Gelman, a Premio Cervantes awardee, will inaugurate the festivities with a poetry recital at Instituto Cervantes’ Salón de Actos on April 23, at 7pm.
Gelman has published more than 20 books of poetry since 1956, his first publications being Violín y otras cuestiones (1956) and El juego en el que andamos (1959). In 2007 he received the much-coveted Premio Cervantes, the most important award in Hispanic literature.
The next day, on April 24, at 4 p.m., Raul M. Sunico and the UST Conservatory of Music will perform a series of 19th century Philippine folk music written and sung in Spanish. It will also be accompanied by a lecture afterwards.
At 6 p.m., the Malachi Team will perform to hip-hop songs, as well as stunts on a bicycle at the Noche de los Libros. Starting 8 p.m. participants can bring and read the work of a well-known poet of their choice at the patio of Instituto Cervantes, in any language. Poem readers who also connect the most with their audience by performing energetically will receive cool prizes.
Instituto Cervantes, in collaboration with Contemporary Dance Network Philippines, will also hold the Festival of Contemporary Dance MAP, featuring the riveting performances of choreographer dancers Myra Beltran, Ma. Elena Laniog, Rhosam Prudenciado Jr. and dance group Airdance at 10:30 p.m.
There will also be a screening of Filipino and Spanish short films at the patio at 11:30 p.m.
April 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., is open house at the Instituto. On sale at incredibly low prices will be books ranging from history to children’s literature, dictionaries, biographies, and so much more. A rose will be given for every purchase made.
Some of the country’s most famous Filipino authors will be around before noon to sign books brought by their respective book publishers. There will also be a presentation on the Tesoro Literario de Filipinas, a collection of Philippine short stories translated into Spanish.
Discover more about the danger of exchange of ideas in the digital age with a forum on media piracy and intellectual property rights at 10:30 a.m. Panelists include former Education Undersecretary and columnist Isagani R. Cruz and poet Ramon “Rayvi” Sunico.
Participants can watch the movie Al sur de Granada (South of Granada) at 2 p.m. or join the European Poetry recital, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the European Commission and the different European embassies, at 4 p.m. Photo buffs may submit their best photo shots taken during Día del Libro and get the chance to win a prize.
Demonstration classes will be held at 12:15 p.m. and 4:15 pm for those who are interested to learn the Spanish language. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted at 11:45 am, 2:45 pm, and 4:45 pm for those who want to know the extent of their Spanish language proficiency. Interested applicants may get a discount if they enroll on that day.
There will also be a storytelling session for children at 12:45 p.m. and Pintura para niños, a coloring activity, is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Screening of children’s films will be at 11 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Dia del Libros is presented by the Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embajada de Espana, Ministerio de Cultura de Espana, and the Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation.
Other sponsors are the Delegation of the European Commissionto the Philippines, Casino Español de Manila, Dulcinea, Faber- Castell and Sofitel Luxury Hotels.
For information, call Instituto Cervantes at 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es/. Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
