Instituto Cervantes celebrates Miguel Hernandez with chain poetry reading

MANILA, Philippines - Tragic poet and Spanish playwright Miguel Hernández would have turned 100 this Oct. 30. In honor of Hernández’s centennial, Instituto Cervantes de Manila is organizing the country’s first Non-stop Public Poetry Reading of Hernandez’s works on Oct. 28, starting 11 a.m., at Instituto Cervantes’ Miguel Hernandez Library.

Titled “Para la Libertad: Can poetry change the world?” the Spanish Cultural Center in Manila will feature 217 poems by Hernández with a total of 1,072 verses in an eight-hour uninterrupted reading.

The event seeks to get 400 readers composed of 217 readers in Spanish, 127 readers in English, 56 readers in Filipino, Bikolano, Ilokano and other Philippine dialects.

Says Instituto Cervantes director Jose Rodriguez, “This tribute is not only to perhaps one of the most influential Spanish poets, but also to the Spanish language and the shared heritage of Spain and the Philippines that is deeply rooted in the historically rich common past.”

Considered one of the most authentic voices of Spanish literature of the 20th century, Hernández’s first poetry book, El rayo que no cesa (1934), made him known to the poetic circles of Madrid, where he lived as a poet. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) did not interrupt his poetic evolution, and during these years, he published Viento del pueblo (1937) and El hombre acecha (1939). When the war ended, Miguel was detained and died in prison in 1942. 

Interested participants may join this public reading activity by calling Instituto Cervantes at 526-1482 ext. 115 or e-mail bibmni@cervantes.es with the Subject “Lee Miguel Hernández.”

Readers will be given a certificate of participation, a free T-shirt, and a copy of Miguel Hernández’s anthology of poems. Participants will also get to enjoy a free chocolate con churros and a free Portuguese beer, courtesy of Super Bock Philippines.

There will also be a live cooking of paella in the afternoon.

Visit us and experience the exciting celebration from beginning to end, brought to you by Instituto Cervantes.

“Para Libertad: Can poetry change the world?” is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID), the Ministerio de Cultura of Spain, New World Hotel and Super Bock Philippines.

Entrance to this activity is free. For more information, please call 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.