Mexican poet and novelist at Instituto Cervantes
MANILA, Philippines - Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in cooperation with the Mexican Embassy in the Philippines, celebrates the diverse, compelling and inspiring world of Javier Sicilia’s poetry on March 22, 7 p.m., at Instituto Cervantes’ Salon de Actos.
Titled “Desde la otra orilla (Mula sa kabilang pampang),” the widely acclaimed Mexican poet will share his works in a recital. The program will include Sicilia’s poems translated into Filipino by Spanish scholar Salvador Malig, who will read in the recital as well.
“Sicilia’s creativity is deeply inspired by literature and the metaphysics. I am looking forward to have him in our center and listen to the beauty of his messages through his poetry,” says Instituto Cervantes director José Rodríguez.
Considered as one of the best authors of contemporary Mexican literature, Sicilia inherited his love of literature from his father, who was also a poet. An avid reader of Santa Teresa de Jesus and San Juan de la Cruz, Sicilia lived in an environment surrounded by the Catholic faith, which led him to adopt Christian mysticism as part of his poetic inspiration.
He finished Philosophy, Arts and Political Sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de México (UNAM). Currently the editor in chief of the magazine Poesía and the director of the magazine Ixtus, Sicilia also teaches literature, aesthetics and scriptwriting at the Universidad La Salle de Cuernavaca.
A writer who goes against the tide, Sicilia, obsessed with the transcendence and the yearning to communicate with God, has created metaphysical and religious poetry along the years. He authored the following poetry books: Permanencia en los puertos (1982), Oro (1990), Trinidad (1992), Vigilias (2000), and La presencia desierta (2004), which compiles his earlier poetry. In February 2009, he was awarded the Premio Nacional de Poesía de Aguascalientes for Tríptico del desierto.
Desde la otra orilla is organized by Instituto Cervantes d e Manila in collaboration with the Mexican Embassy and the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, and Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID).
Entrance to this poetry recital is free on a first-come-first-served basis. Free Copies of the poetry compilation will also be given on the event. For information, call 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es. Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
