Cover Talahib People's Music at the Dia del Libro 2023 in Intramuros, Manila (Photo: Instituto Cervantes de Manila/Facebook)
Talahib People's Music at the Dia del Libro 2023 in Intramuros, Manila (Photo: Instituto Cervantes de Manila/Facebook)
1 / 1
To celebrate ‘Día del Libro' or World Book Day, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain, and Intramuros Administration arranged fun activities that promote the joy of reading
Over the weekend, people flocked to the Instituto Cervantes de Manila headquarters in Intramuros to celebrate the annual Día del Libro or international book day. This event is commemorated in all parts of the globe on the 23rd of April since it supposedly coincides with the death of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, English playwright William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
The book festival seeks to promote the joy of reading and aims to amplify the protection of intellectual property through copyright. It was approved in Paris on November 15, 1995, by the General Conference of UNESCO.
In case you missed it: National Heritage Month: Filipino Books That Shaped Our History
For 2023, UNESCO went with the theme ‘‘Read for the Future’’ to emphasise the role of literature in shaping the collective future. In this article, Tatler tells you everything that went down during the local celebration of the event:
Escribo el Quijote
Above Over the weekend, people flocked to the Instituto Cervantes de Manila headquarters in Intramuros to celebrate the annual Día del Libro or international book day. (Photo: Instituto Cervantes de Manila/Facebook)
Over the weekend, people flocked to the Instituto Cervantes de Manila headquarters in Intramuros to celebrate the annual Día del Libro or international book day. (Photo: Instituto Cervantes de Manila/Facebook)
1 / 1
More than 100 volunteers took part in Instituto Cervantes de Manila's ‘‘Quixotic’’ endeavour: to hand-write Cervantes' famed novel Don Quixote. Each participant was given two minutes to copy by hand a few sentences from the book. The final hand-written copy was given to the Library Miguel Hernández of Instituto Cervantes.
More from Tatler: ALPAS: National Artists' Gift to Music and Literature
Get a book, take home a rose
Above Buy a book, get a rose (Photo: Dario Fernandez Ruz/Pexels)
Buy a book, get a rose (Photo: Dario Fernandez Ruz/Pexels)
1 / 1
The tradition of giving away a rose for every book sold was very much alive during this year's Día del Libro celebration. This activity stems from Catalan, Spain where roses and books were exchanged by lovers, friends, or colleagues to honour its patron saint, Sant Jordi —‘‘a rose for love and a book forever’’.
Related: Tatler Review: 'I Was the President's Mistress!!' by Miguel Syjuco
On the 23rd of April, most Catalan cities are filled with an estimated number of four million roses and 500,000 books. Most of these flowers are red in colour and are typically wrapped in ribbons in yellow and red, the colours of La Senyera (Catalan flag).
Book market, concert, free Spanish classes
Above Talahib People's Music at the Dia del Libro 2023 in Intramuros, Manila (Photo: Instituto Cervantes de Manila/Facebook)
Talahib People's Music at the Dia del Libro 2023 in Intramuros, Manila (Photo: Instituto Cervantes de Manila/Facebook)
1 / 1
Books were sold at much cheaper prices during the event. Among the publishers were Vibal and Kahel Press. At noon, a book signing event was held for Lorelai de Viana for her Walk Manila guidebook. Short talks were also headed by authors Vince Groyon, Glenn Diaz, and Jessica Zafra.
To conclude the celebration, Filipino rock band Talahib People's Music, who is known for their songs Babaylan and Domdoma, serenaded the crowd.
NOW READ
National Artist Gémino Abad: "Language is the Supreme Invention of the Human Consciousness"
Book Review: Kain Na by Felice Prudente-Sta Maria and Bryan Koh
'Interview with the Vampire' : 5 Anne Rice Novels to Revisit
Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
