On May 26 at 5:30 p.m., the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes Manila will stage a literary discussion titled “The Library, That Form of Paradise,” where Despeyroux will share how libraries shaped her journey as an author and influenced the foundations of her creative writing. Vera will join the conversation, bringing his insights as one of the Philippines’ most respected voices in contemporary theater and storytelling.

Aspiring writers, literature enthusiasts, and Spanish-language learners will also have the opportunity to engage directly with Despeyroux during a Creative Writing Workshop in Spanish on May 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Instituto Cervantes premises at The Enterprise Center in Makati City.

Participants are encouraged to register in advance:

• May 26 Discussion: Benengeli 2026: The Library, That Form of Paradise
• May 27 Workshop: Benengeli 2026: Creative Writing Workshop in Spanish

The Manila events form part of the global Benengeli Literary Festival, which will run from May 25 to 29 across five continents. Now on its sixth edition, the festival is regarded as the only literary event in the world with a truly global Spanish-language reach, featuring more than 100 guests in 17 cities worldwide. (cervantes.org)

This year’s edition centers on the theme of libraries, highlighting their role as spaces where memory, imagination, and cultural dialogue converge. The program showcases the aesthetic, generational, and geographical diversity of contemporary Spanish-language literature.

Over the years, Manila has maintained a strong presence in the Benengeli network, participating since the festival’s inaugural online edition in 2021. Aside from live events, the Manila leg will also premiere exclusive videos on the center’s YouTube channel featuring writers Jesús Marchamalo and Isabel Wagemann, who will reflect on this year’s central theme.

Cities participating in Benengeli 2026 include Sydney, Brussels, Bordeaux, Madrid, Manchester, Paris, Oran, Dakar, Belo Horizonte, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, alongside guest cities Caguas, Caracas, Edinburgh, and Quito. cervantes.org

For more information, visit the Benengeli 2026 official page or follow Instituto Cervantes Manila on Facebook.