Books and roses again at Instituto Cervantes de Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Instituto Cervantes de Manila brings back “Día Internacional del Libro” (International Book Day) this April 16.

Around 4,000 book titles will once again be piling up the Spanish cultural center for the sixth edition of the “Día del Libro.” From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., bibliophiles and the curious can get their hands on a wide selection of books — children and young adult titles, dictionaries, novels, fiction and non-fiction titles — for as low as P20. And following the tradition in Spain, for every purchase you make you will be given a rose.

 “The Internet has caused a revolution in the book publishing industry where electronic book titles are outselling hard covers. In this era of electronic books, I believe the traditional book is still incomparable. It is the total experience as it triggers all your senses,” says Instituto Cervantes de Manila director José Rodríguez.

First introduced by ICM in Manila in 2006, the tradition (related to an old legend involving chivalry) of “Día del Libro” began in Barcelona, Spain, where, on St. George’s Day, gifts are exchanged between sweethearts: men buy roses for women, and in return, women buy books for men. This tradition encourages book lovers from all walks of life to gather and indulge their literary passion.

This date also commemorates the deaths of two of history’s greatest writers — Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare — who coincidentally died also on the same year in 1616. 

“Día del Libro” is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, Spanish Department of Culture, Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID), Spanish Porgram for Cultural Cooperation (SPCC), Universidad de Castilla a la Mancha, Fundacion Jose Antonio de Castro, Grupo ANAYA, Biblioteca Nacional de España, La Tribuna, CSIC, Fundacion Banco Santander, Región de Murcia, Junta de Castilla y León, Casá Asia, en Clave ELE, La Casa Encendida, Castilla- La Mancha, Circulo de Bellas Artes, Fundacion Carlos Amberes, Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, and the British Council.

Admission to all Día del libro activities is free on a first-come-first-served basis. For information, call 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.