Held from March 26 to 27 at Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros, the congress features lectures, panels, and roundtables, including a focus on Spanish-Philippine Literature between 1880 and 1920. Participants will discuss the role of Hispanic studies in Asia, the state of Hispanism in Southeast Asia, and emerging voices in the field.

Organized by the Embassy of Spain, Instituto Cervantes, Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española, and Fundación Duques de Soria, the event marks a milestone in academic and cultural exchange in PH.

More information at hispanismosea.org
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Espacio Femenino, a weekly film series, features movies by outstanding female directors every Tuesday, exploring themes from intimate personal dramas to pressing social issues, leaving a mark on both local and international cinema.

Science takes the spotlight in 100 científicas (100 Women Scientists Series), which gathers leading women scientists from Spain, Latin America, and, for the first time, the Philippines. The series promotes dialogue at the intersection of science, language, and culture.

From March 26 to 27, Manila hosts Hispanists of Southeast Asia, bringing together experts in Spanish language, literature, and culture to discuss topics ranging from the status of Spanish in the region to female voices in Philippine media.

Theater enthusiasts can catch Lorquianas on March 24 at Tanghalang Ignacio Jimenez, performed by the group La Vidriera. The production weaves stories of oppressed women drawn from Federico García Lorca’s seminal works, including La casa de Bernarda Alba, Romance de la pena negra, and Romance de la gitana Preciosa, tackling issues of gender, sexuality, and social hierarchy.

Art lovers can still explore several exhibitions: Sorolla: A Walk Through the Light, featuring life-size reproductions of Joaquín Sorolla’s masterpieces, along the Ayala-Greenbelt underground walkway; A dash, a colon, a dialogue between Spanish artist Cristina Gamón and Filipino Brisa Amir at Casa Azul, open until March 28; and Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila at the Ayala Museum. A permanent exhibit, Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas, continues at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros.

Street art aficionados may also enjoy Boa Mistura’s vibrant public artworks in Manila, including a mural at Fort Santiago and a basketball court in Tejeros, Makati, painted with the word UNYON.

Through these events, the Embassy of Spain celebrates women’s voices across film, science, literature, theater, and visual arts, reflecting their enduring impact on culture both locally and internationally.

One of the highlights came most recently with world-renowned baritone Luis Llanez, who conducted master classes for emerging Filipino vocalists from the Philippine Women’s University, University of Santo Tomas, and the University of the Philippines—where he also staged a series of well-received recitals.

This month also marks the return of Boa Mistura, the celebrated Spanish street art collective. Re-energized after their successful 2024 transformation of a basketball court in Tejeros, Makati, the group returns with fresh creative momentum.

Culinary enthusiasts, meanwhile, are set to be inspired by Chef Chele González, the first Spanish chef in the Philippines to earn a MICHELIN star. He will share his gastronomic journey with students at Enderun Colleges, offering insights meant to encourage aspiring Filipino chefs and spark wider interest in the culinary arts.

These activities cap a dynamic year that saw SpyArt participating in Art Fair Philippines, and Vicenç Prunés enthralling audiences during the International Bamboo Organ Festival. Art lovers were treated to a landmark exhibition of Fernando Zóbel at the Ayala Museum, while music fans enjoyed the eclectic sound of Manu Chao, the classical guitar mastery of Miguel Trápaga, and the energy of the SBK Festival. The year also brought together enthusiasts of electronic music at both the Unknown and Medium Rare festivals.

Strengthening academic and scientific collaboration, Spanish and Filipino neurosurgeons convened in Legazpi for the first time to share expertise, while photographic works by Bernardo Aja captivated viewers across the metro. Literature took center stage during El Día del Libro, reaffirming the enduring love for reading, and the annual film festival Pelikula 2025 once again drew crowds eager for the latest in Spanish cinema. The cultural calendar also featured Ramón Grau’s zarzuela workshop and concert, and a widely enjoyed series of school tours by math professor Fernando Blasco, who made algebra engaging through games and magic tricks.

The cultural ties between Spain and the Philippines were further explored through the exhibit Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila, which revisited the legacy of the Galleon Trade. Meanwhile, National Designer Awardee Héctor Serrano enriched Design Week Philippines 2025 with his participation and delivered lectures at DLSU–College of St. Benilde, UST, and UP. Historian María Dolores Elizalde captivated audiences with her expertise on Philippine history, and several top Spanish institutions joined the European Higher Education Fair to connect with Filipino students.

The celebration of the Spanish language continued with the VII Jornadas de Español como Lengua Extranjera, while AI expert Nerea Luis discussed the future impact of artificial intelligence. Marine biologist Isabel Nuñez Lendo encouraged students to take part in marine conservation efforts, and the Spanish women’s futsal team paid a special visit to Poveda to interact with young athletes. Adding to the cultural richness, Juan Manuel Bellver narrated the history of Spanish wine by linking it with iconic works of Spanish literature. Architecture students also benefitted from the insights of two Spanish heritage conservation experts based in Japan, who shared their research and experiences.

Ongoing Exhibits

Art enthusiasts can still visit three ongoing exhibitions: Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas, permanently displayed at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros; A Synergy of Ventures: The Post-War Art Scene, commemorating Fernando Zóbel’s centennial at the Ateneo Art Gallery until February 2026; and Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila at the Ayala Museum.

Looking Ahead

The Embassy of Spain hints at an even more vibrant cultural year ahead. With fresh collaborations and new programs already in the pipeline, the Embassy remains committed to enriching the Philippines’ cultural landscape and strengthening Spain–Philippines relations through art, history, education, and innovation.

Spanish baritone Luis Llaneza will offer master classes to young Filipino singers at the University of Santo Tomás on November 14 and at the Philippine Women’s University on November 19. He will also perform in a concert at the University of Santo Tomás on November 22.

Spain participates in QCinema, a ten-day international film festival beginning November 14, showcasing its film industry while supporting Philippine cinema.

The European Higher Education Fair will take place at Robinsons Manila’s Midtown Atrium on November 21 and 22. Thirteen Spanish universities will present higher education opportunities to Filipino students interested in studying in Spain.

Spanish marine biologist Isabel Nuñez will visit Saint Pedro Poveda College, the University of the Philippines, and Everest Academy Manila to speak on reef ecosystem preservation. On November 28, architects Juan Ramón Jiménez and Jesús Pulido will hold a lecture at National University on Architecture and Urban Planning during the Spanish Period, drawing from their research on Intramuros, Parian, San Nicolás, Cavite, Cebu, and Davao.

The Spanish Women’s Futsal Team will meet students in Manila and compete in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on November 22, 25, and 28 against Thailand, Colombia, and Canada.

Ongoing exhibitions include Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros, A Synergy of Ventures: The Post-War Art Scene at the Ateneo Art Gallery in celebration of Fernando Zóbel’s centennial until February 2026, and Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila at the Ayala Museum.

Through these events, the Embassy of Spain continues to strengthen cultural ties, promote shared heritage, and foster people-to-people connections between Spain and the Philippines.

This concert marks the grand finale of Zarzuela Viva, a month-long celebration of the shared cultural heritage between Spain and the Philippines, featuring weekly zarzuela screenings, an immersive workshop, and this closing recital.

The zarzuela, one of the most treasured art forms in the Spanish-speaking world, was also among the most popular cultural expressions in the Philippines for decades. As Alexandra Chua, Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music, observes: “In the Philippine context, the sarswela is not merely a borrowed tradition, but a powerful symbol of Filipino transcultural identity and creativity. Embedded within it are distinctly Filipino stories and narratives that reflect local experiences, struggles, and aspirations. Through the reimagining of inherited forms, the sarswela becomes a dynamic expression of Filipino agency and cultural voice.”

The festival opened on August 1 at Instituto Cervantes with Tiempo de Zarzuela by Cristina Otero Roth. On August 7,audiences enjoyed La del manojo de rosas by Pablo Sorozábal, staged by Teatro de la Zarzuela. Upcoming screenings includeEl barberillo de Lavapiés by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri (August 14) and El sobre verde by Jacinto Guerrero (August 28), both at 3:00 p.m. in the Central Laboratory Auditorium, UST.

Zarzuela Workshop

From August 18 to 22, Ramón Grau—principal pianist at Madrid’s Teatro de la Zarzuela since 2016—will lead an intensive workshop at the UST Conservatory of Music for advanced music students. Grau has composed for films such as El Fantasma de la Sauna and Calcinación, and for the Orquesta Filarmónica de Málaga, which will premiere his piano concerto Estigio in December 2025.

Grand Finale Concert

On August 26, at 5pm, Ramón Grau and the workshop participants will perform Zarzuela-Sarswela, featuring selections from El barberillo de Lavapiés and La del manojo de rosas, alongside iconic pieces from the Filipino sarswela tradition.

This concert brings to a close a cultural program that highlights the enduring legacy of the zarzuela—a genre that has left an indelible mark on the history of Philippine theater. In the words of writer Nick Joaquin: “Certainly, in no other art form, whether in English, Spanish, or Tagalog, has the Filipino shown himself so much at home; and in no other, since then, has he been able to establish such close rapport with the people.”

Zarzuela Viva is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID, the Conservatory of Music of UST, Teatro de la Zarzuela, and the Intramuros Administration.

For more information about Zarzuela Viva, visit www.manila.cervantes.es or follow Instituto Cervantes on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila/

The speaker for both events is Dr. Nerea Luis Mingueza, a prominent Spanish computer scientist and AI engineer, who holds a PhD in Computer Science with more than ten years of experience in artificial intelligence. Dr. Luis is traveling to Manila to deliver a series of talks on artificial intelligence, sharing her expertise on ethical AI, automation, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines.

The first discussion will take place on August 12 at 5:00 PM at Instituto Cervantes Manila (Intramuros Branch). Entitled “Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Humans?”, in this colloquium Dr. Nerea Luis will be joined by Dr. Ethel C. Ong, Dean of the College of Computer Studies at De La Salle University, whose academic work mainly connects computer science research with applications in learning, mental healthcare and cybersafety.  Together, they will explore key issues shaping the global conversation on artificial intelligence, including how AI will transform the way we learn, how it will redefine the future of work, and how society can best prepare for a world where intelligent systems play an increasingly central role in daily life. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/mjRs2bCTaB

The second session is a seminar entitled “AI and the Future of Work: 2025-2035.  What Can We Expect?”. In collaboration with FEU’s Institute of Arts and Sciences-Department of Mathematics, this seminar will be held on August 13 at 10:00 am at FEU Manila campus.  In this session, Dr. Nerea Luis will explore the role of AI in education, innovation, and the future of digital learning environments.

This two-day event offers a valuable opportunity for the public to engage with global experts, gain deeper insights into the evolving world of artificial intelligence, and reflect on the role we all play in shaping a responsible and inclusive digital future.

Organized by Instituto Cervantes Manila, in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID and Far Eastern University-Institute of Arts and Sciences, these sessions are open to students, professionals, educators, and the general public.

For more information about the cultural program of Instituto Cervantes, visit Instituto Cervantes’ website at www.manila.cervantes.es, or follow it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila/

From fiction to non-fiction, poetry to prose, thousands of books will be up for grabs at the Ayala Triangle. The Día del Libro will feature Manila’s top bookstores and publishing houses, that will be selling a wide array of books at a 20% discount. Following the tradition in Spain, each book purchase will come with a free rose. Apart from the book market, visitors to the Día del Libro will get to join poetry recitals, free Spanish classes, book presentations, book signings, street art, games, exhibits, storytelling sessions, Spanish food, fun activities for the children, as well as a very authentic Flamenco show. Check out the complete program at https://manila.cervantes.es/es/cultura_espanol/calendario_dia_libro_2025.htm.  

Among the activities of Día del Libro 2025, a classic stands out: Escribo el Quijote. Like every year, to commemorate the Day of Miguel de Cervantes, Instituto Cervantes is challenging visitors to join a Quixotic attempt: to handwrite the classic novel Don Quixote de La Mancha –an initiative which Instituto Cervantes started just a decade ago. The final hand-written book will be deposited in the Library of Instituto Cervantes. The activity will begin at 9:00 am. No prior registration will be required. Participants in the handwriting chain will receive a rose.  

Día del Libro will officially open at 9:00 am with a special inauguration led by H. E. Miguel Utray, Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines, marking the official opening of this year’s celebration. Following the inauguration, slam poet Toni Panagu will take the stage for a moving spoken word poetry performance, setting a reflective and inspiring tone for the day’s festivities.

At 9:30 am, Vibal Group will present the workshop “Amor: Writing the New Adult Romance”, conducted by author Mina V. Esguerra. In it, Esguerra will discuss her career as a popular writer of romance stories a and her tips on how to write romance novels.

On Día del Libro, children will take center stage. They will get to enjoy a story telling at 10:15 am. The story, “El cartero simpático”, is about a mailman who delivers letters to famous characters such as Cinderella, the Three Bears, and the Big Bad Wolf.

From 11am, Spanish language learners will have the chance to take part in an Universitarian Yincana specially designed for university students across Manila. This event will include activities such as dance, live music, quizzes, poetry creation, and more. Thanks to the collaboration of local university departments, this initiative seeks to go beyond fun and entertainment — aiming to build a strong, engaged community of university students who are learning Spanish in the city. Participants will not only practice their language skills in a playful context but also connect with fellow learners from other campuses.

Through the Poetry Recital, Instituto Cervantes is inviting poetry lovers to recite verses written in Spanish. The recital will be compiled in a video that will be posted in Instituto Cervantes Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/InstitutoCervantesManila. Interested poetry aficionados must sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/cgZtbYb7C5

For those interested in art, Instituto Cervantes is presenting the space Dibujo Makati, where Urban Sketchers Manila will display their works on the Día del Libro and conduct a workshop on sketching.

At 1:00 pm, Instituto Cervantes will have “The Writing Revolution”, a workshop on the history of the written language, at the end of which participants will get to write their name on clay in cuneiform style, in hieroglyphics on papyrus, in Greek or Latin on parchment paper, and in baybayin on palm leaf.

As one of the perks of Día del Libro, Instituto Cervantes will offer a free Spanish class for beginners at 2pm.

As gastronomy is a key aspect of culture, visitors to Día del Libro will have the opportunity to learn how to cook paella, an internationally renowned culinary delight, with one of Manila’s best chefs in Barcino’s delicious demo: “How to Cook a Great Paella.” Savor the intensity of Spain’s flavors and surprise your friends with a delicious paella.

Book lovers will also have the chance to attend book presentations organized by some publishers. In addition, thanks to the collaboration of publishing houses, visitors will have the opportunity to meet writers who will be signing their works. Authors like Ambeth Ocampo, Anthony Shieh, Kenneth Yu, Laurel Flores Fantauzzo, Ninotchka Rosca, and Yvette Tan will be signing at the booth of Anvil Publishing. Alice Sun-Cua will be signing at Sirena Books. Charlson Ong, Kannika Claudine Peña, Wilfredo Liangco and Sanny Villafranca will sign copies of his works at the Milflores Publishing booth. Ricky Lee, Derald Lico, Yvette Tan will be signing at FEU. Jonathan Best will be signing at Ortigas Foundation. Please check the schedule at https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila

Flamenco

At 7 pm, catch the special show Flamenco Pasión, a musical extravaganza featuring Flamenco legend Tito Losada, a gypsy guitarist of the purest flamenco, accompanied by singer Marta Heredia, and dancers Daniela Ramos, and Lucía González. Earlier in the day, Tito Losada will conduct a free Flamenco Guitar Masterclass addressed to Advanced Guitar players. Interested in joining the masterclass must sign up through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/qKUwWFPWNE

To cap off the evening, Instituto Cervantes will close Día del Libro 2025 with a live concert by the leading Filipino rock band Yah Bles, from 9:00pm.   

Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just discovering the joy of books, the Día del Libro 2025 at the Instituto Cervantes de Manila is a day to celebrate the power of words to connect us with each other and to the world around us.

Día del Libro 2025 is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID, Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, Make it Makati, the PTC Group, Acciona, Vibal Foundation, NCCA, NBDB, Fundador, Terry Selection, Barcino, Las Flores, and the embassies of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panamá, and Venezuela, the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo University Press, FEU Publishing House, Milflores, Anvil, Ortigas Foundation, The Indie Publishers Collab PH, Biblio, Circle of Chabacano Dreams, Fundación Santiago, Everything’s Fine, Kahel Press, Komiket, Señor Papa, Urban Sketchers Manila, Romanceclass Books, Tawid Publications, Sirena Books, Piefke, Abiva, Avenida Books, and the best Manila bookstores.

Admission to all Día del Libro activities is FREE on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis.
Link to Día del Libro teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eiaWg0ZYF4

For more information about Instituto Cervantes de Manila’s Día del Libro 2025, visit the pages https://manila.cervantes.es/es/cultura_espanol/calendario_dia_libro_2025.htm or www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.  

The series will showcase a selection of impactful films that highlight the talent and powerful creativity of women in Spanish cinema.

The series will kick off on March 7 at 2:00 PM at the UPFI Film Center (UP Diliman) with the screening of El olivo (The Olive Tree), directed by Icíar Bollaín. This poignant drama tells the story of Alma, a young Spanish woman deeply connected to her grandfather, who has stopped speaking for years. When he begins to refuse food, Alma becomes obsessed with the idea of saving him by recovering the ancient olive tree that the family uprooted and sold against his will 12 years earlier.

The next featured film is on March 13 at 2:00 PM is 15 Years and 1 Day (2001), directed by Gracia Querejeta.  The film explores the evolving relationship between a rebellious teenager, Jon, and his grandfather Max, a retired soldier. After Jon is expelled from school, his mother sends him to live with Max, hoping that the older man will help him turn his life around. The two men confront their fears and limitations, finding common ground in the process. This screening will be held at the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes.

On March 20, at 2:00 pm, the third screening will take place at the same Intramuros venue, featuring Yuli (2018), directed by Icíar Bollaín. This biographical drama follows the life of Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, who plays himself in the film. From his humble beginnings in a poor neighborhood of Havana to becoming a star at one of the world’s leading ballet companies, Yuli showcases the dancer’s struggle to overcome personal and cultural barriers. Despite initially rejecting his father’s wishes for him to dance, Carlos eventually rises to become the first black dancer to perform Romeo at the Royal Ballet in London, cementing his place as one of the greatest dancers of his generation. The screening of this film will be followed by a discussion in Spanish between Instituto Cervantes’ staff and the attending audience.

This film series will conclude on March 27 at 2:00 PM with Cerdita (Piggy), a critically acclaimed thriller directed by Carlota Pereda. Set in a small Spanish town, the film follows Sara, a teenager who endures constant fatphobic bullying from her peers. The bullying takes a dark turn when a stranger arrives and kidnaps her tormentors. Sara, who knows what has happened, must choose between speaking up to save the girls or keeping silent to protect the man who saved her.

All films will be screened in their original Spanish language with English subtitles. Except for the opening film, screenings will be held at the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes (855 Calle Real, San Luis Complex, Intramuros, Manila).

Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit Instituto Cervantes’ website at www.manila.cervantes.es, or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.

With the strengthening of the trade and investment relations between the Philippines and Spain and other European countries, La Cámara takes advantage of this opportunity and brings together two law firms from Spain and the Philippines to develop trade and investment exchange for both countries.

In the intimate partnership ceremony on June 19, AVCO Legal, a law firm based in Spain, and Escudero-Marasigan-Vallente-E.H. Villareal (EMSAVVIL LAW) a Philippine-based law firm specializing in commercial, labor, taxation, merger and acquisition among others, inked their partnership to help companies from Spain and Latin America, and vice versa who seek to expand overseas.

Attorney Antonio Viñal, Founder and Senior Partner of AVCO Legal, expressed his optimism in this partnership with EMSAVVIL LAW and believed that this would pave the way to increase trade and investment exchange between Spain and other Latin America and Spanish-speaking countries to do business in the Philippines with proper guidance from its partner law firm.

Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, Atty. Diosdado Marasigan, Managing partner of Escudero-Marasigan-Vallente-E.H. Villareal ((EMSAVVIL LAW) said, “This is very timely, given the very strong relationship between the Philippines and our European partners. With this partnership, our (law) firm can develop a system wherein the Spanish investors or Latin American Spanish-speaking countries who target to invest in the Philippines will be guided properly by lawyers in doing business in the Philippines.”

“There are many facets of operations (when doing business) that they need to be assisted which is not just compliance with the laws, but also other issues. There will be no language barrier because they have a local Spanish-speaking law firm in the Philippines,” Marasigan added.

In the sidelines interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS, when the AVCO founder was asked about what industries from Spain will likely invest in the Philippines, Viñal said, “Offhand, we see from agri, infrastructures, waste management and renewable energy. But please they’re not limited to these industries alone. There are more.”

“We should welcome this partnership because it would be a lot easier for Spanish investors to invest in the Philippines. The advantage of the Philippines with other ASEAN countries is the fact that Spain and the Philippines have very strong relationships for more than 500 years and still counting, and many Filipinos have good familiarity with the Spanish language” Viñal said.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel de Ghellinck, Executive Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines said, “We are happy to see that this (partnership) is progressing. We are just here to serve as a conduit different between the Philippines and Spain. We are forever grateful that the Spanish Embassy, and other partner embassies, and hopefully this would bring more investments to the Philippines and vice-versa. These companies and investors can assure of the support of La Cámara in whatever capacity we can.

Other embassies that joined are from Brazil, His Excellency Antonio José Maria de Souza e Silva, Spain represented by Charge d’ Affaires Ms. Carmela Barcia and Ms. Silvia Torices, Economic Councillor, Mexico, Ms. Daniela Gil Sevilla, Chargé d’Affaires Embassy of Mexico, Argentina Ms. Andrea Repettia Minister Plenipotentiary, and Ms. Nadine Escano, Consular Officer at Honorary Consulate of the Republic Peru.

From fiction to non-fiction, poetry to prose, thousands of books will be gathered around Instituto Cervantes’ premises in Intramuros. Día del Libro will feature Manila top bookstores and publishing houses that will be selling a wide array of books at a 20% discount. Following the tradition in Spain, every book purchase would entitle one to a free rose. 

Apart from the book market, visitors to Día del Libro will be treated to poetry recitals, free Spanish classes, book presentations, street art, games, exhibits, storytelling sessions, Spanish food, as well as fun activities for the children.  

First introduced in Manila by Instituto Cervantes in 2006, the tradition of Día del Libro began in Barcelona, Spain. To the present, the tradition is commemorated on St. George’s Day (23 April), during which Spanish people exchange roses and books. This date also honors two of history’s greatest writers – Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare – who coincidentally died on the very same day, April 23, 1616. These significant incidents prompted the UNESCO to declare April 23 as “World Book and Copyright Day” to instill the love of reading among the youth and to promote respect for the rights of authors over their works. April is also the birth month of the classic Filipino poet Francisco Balagtas, and to honor him the National Commission for Culture and the Arts declared April as National Literature Month.  

In the spirit of this year’s celebration, UNESCO has chosen the theme “Read for the Future” to emphasize the role of books in shaping our collective future. In a world that is constantly changing, books provide us with the knowledge and imagination to navigate the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. 

In this edition, to commemorate the Day of Miguel de Cervantes, Instituto Cervantes is challenging visitors to join a Quixotic attempt: to handwrite Don Quixote de La Mancha. The final hand-written book will be deposited in the Library of Instituto Cervantes. People interested in taking part in the writing of Don Quijote can join on the same day with no prior registration. Participants in the handwriting chain will receive a rose.  

Through the 2^nd Recital of Filhispanic Poetry, Instituto Cervantes is inviting poetry lovers to recite verses written in Spanish by Filipino poets. All the recorded recitations will be compiled in a video that will be posted in Instituto Cervantes Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@InstitutoCervantesManila at the end of April 2023. Interested poetry aficionados can register here: https://forms.office.com/e/EZwcmKDsTN 

Thanks to the collaboration of publishing houses, visitors will have the opportunity to meet authors who will be signing their works. Among the writers who will be signing copies are Jessica Zafra, Charlson Ong, Wilfredo Liangco, Katrina Martin, Kannika Claudine D. Peña, or Vince Groyon. Book lovers will also have the chance to attend book presentations organized by some publishers. Please check program schedule at https://www.facebook.com/events/1224034514883637

As one of the perks of Día del Libro, Instituto Cervantes will offer a 10% discount and special gifts for those enrolling on 22 April. And to cap it off, Instituto Cervantes will close Día del Libro 2023 with a live concert by leading Filipino rock band Talahib People’s Music, from 5:30pm.   

Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just discovering the joy of books, World Book Day 2023 at the Instituto Cervantes de Manila is a day to celebrate the power of words to connect us to each other and to the world around us. Join Día del Libro at Intramuros and experience a jam-packed evening of excitement. And for this year’s celebration, Instituto Cervantes will be giving out hundreds of books – for FREE! 

Día del Libro is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Intramuros Administration, and with the support of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Consejería de Educación of Spain, and the embassies of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. Participating bookstores and publishing houses include: Ateneo University Press, Milflores Publishing, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Vibal Publishing, Far Eastern University Publications, La Solidaridad Bookstore, Kahel Press, and Artbooks.ph.   

Admission to all Día del libro activities is FREE on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis. For more information about World Book Day 2023 and events at the Intramuros Branch of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, visit the website www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.