Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain, and Intramuros Administration are inviting visitors to the Intramuros Branch of Instituto Cervantes de Manila on April 22, 2023, from 10 am to 6 pm, to celebrate World Book Day. The event, known as Día del Libro, will feature a wide array of activities that promote the joy of reading.
Thousands of books will be available at the Instituto Cervantes’ premises in Intramuros, ranging from fiction to non-fiction, poetry to prose. Top bookstores and publishing houses from Manila will be participating, offering a 20% discount on their books. Following the Spanish tradition, every book purchase will entitle visitors to a free rose.
In addition to the book market, visitors can enjoy poetry recitals, free Spanish classes, book presentations, street art, games, exhibits, storytelling sessions, Spanish food, and fun activities for children. The event celebrates the tradition of Día del Libro, which began in Barcelona, Spain, and was introduced in Manila by Instituto Cervantes in 2006. The UNESCO declared April 23 as “World Book and Copyright Day” to honor the deaths of two of history’s greatest writers, Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, who died on the same day, April 23, 1616. The month of April is also National Literature Month in honor of classic Filipino poet Francisco Balagtas.
UNESCO has chosen “Read for the Future” as this year’s theme to emphasize the role of books in shaping our collective future. Instituto Cervantes is challenging visitors to join a Quixotic attempt by hand-writing Don Quixote de La Mancha, and the final book will be deposited in the Library of Instituto Cervantes.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet authors who will be signing their works, including Jessica Zafra, Charlson Ong, and Wilfredo Liangco, among others. Book lovers can attend book presentations organized by some publishers.
Instituto Cervantes will offer a 10% discount and special gifts for those enrolling on April 22. The event will close with a live concert by leading Filipino rock band Talahib People’s Music at 5:30 pm.
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. Día del Libro is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Intramuros Administration, 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.
