Instituto Cervantes' Open House and International Book Day

My friends and I are suckers for anything cultural - be it a classical piano recital, a jazz concert, European, French, German, Filipino, Indian or Japanese film festivals. Like travelling, these events provide insights into our own Filipino culture and other country's distinct cultures. It is probably the closest thing to visiting these countries through their films, plays, songs, poetry, music and dances. And once you've actually visited these countries and immersed in their cultures, or you've actually interacted (and yeah, have fallen in love) with the people, you gain a deeper insight and understanding not only of the countries but also of the people. Most of these cultural events organized by the embassies or the cultural centers are for free so that is also another motivation to trek to wherever the event is held.

Last Saturday, we found ourselves navigating through Taft Avenue for Instituto Cervantes' Open House and Dia del Libro (International Book Day). The festival started at 10:00 a.m. but we arrived only at 1:30 p.m. just in time to catch the award winning film "La Colmena" or The Beehive. The film was about the lives of ordinary people in Madrid during the post-civil war years. I didn't read the synopsis and just expected the film to be spectacular because it won an award. But yeah, I ended up somewhat disappointed. Maybe also because I forgot my eyeglasses (what else is new?!) and I had to squint through the entire movie to read the English subtitles.

After the movie, we feasted our senses with the saxophonist serenading at the lobby. Then we hopped to the photo exhibit. Since it was Dia del Libro, there were a lot of books on sale - from cookbooks (I was tempted to buy one :)), popular fiction and non-fiction to Spanish literature. The biggest steal for the day was the book on Filipino-Spanish Cultural Structure in the Philippines sold for only 100 pesos! Of course there were books for 20 pesos - but in Spanish :).



The event smacked of a fiesta minus the buffet with people of all ages and nationalities checking out the books, reading poetry from Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese authors, watching movies, learning latin dances and people like us who were there just to soak it all in (or ogle the gorgeous Spanish guys! ;)).

We were too drunk with the heat, the books and the Spanish fiesta atmosphere to actually get drunk with the Spanish Wine tasting sponsored by Rene Barbieri.

We couldn't stay until the Latin Party in the evening and just contented ourselves hanging out at the wishing well until it was time to leave. Who knows we might finally get what we wish for? :). If you want to visit Spain but don't have the budget for it yet, you can soak it all in at the Instituto Cervantes.

For more information:
Instituto Cervantes
855 T.M. Kalaw St.1000 Ermita, Manila
Tlf.:63 2 526 14 82 - 85
Fax:63 2 526 14 49
cenmni@cervantes.es