Experience a different kind of book fair as Instituto Cervantes celebrates the 10th edition of “Día Internacional del Libro (International Book Day)” on April 23. The Spanish cultural center will once again be abuzz with cultural and fun activities.

Around 4,000 book titles will be gathered at Instituto Cervantes. And for this year’s celebration, Instituto Cervantes will be giving out hundreds of books – for free.

First introduced by Instituto Cervantes in Manila in 2006, the tradition of “Día del Libro” began in Barcelona, Spain as inspired by an old legend involving chivalry. Until now, the tradition is commemorated on St. George’s Day (23 April) where gifts are exchanged between sweethearts: men and women exchange roses and books. 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 also died in the same year, 1616.

Night of book’s activities

For this year’s celebration Instituto Cervantes will have a twist with “La Noche de los Libros (The Night of Books).” Through it, the Spanish Cultural Center will provide free entertainment for an entire evening of leisure and activities, including a feast of Spanish food, games, music, poetry recitals and free Spanish classes.

Just like every year, “Día del Libro” will feature top exhibitors and bookstores that will be selling a wide selection of books – dictionaries, children and young adult titles, fiction and non-fiction novels – at a 20 percent discount. And following the tradition in Spain, every book purchase would entitle one to a free rose.

The first 100 people to come to Instituto Cervantes for “La Noche de los Libros” will receive a free book or a rose upon entrance. In addition, those who would sign up for a membership at the Instituto Cervantes Library would also get a free book.

This year also marks the 400th of the publication of the second volume of “Don Quixote de La Mancha,” Cervantes’ immortal work. Among the events organized by Instituto Cervantes to commemorate the date is the “Re-Writing of Don Quijote.” The Spanish cultural center is looking for 500 book-lover volunteers to take part in a “Quixotic” endeavor: to hand-write Cervantes’ novel.

Each volunteer will have two minutes to write by hand a few sentences of the novel. The writing-chain will start at 4 pm and finish at 11 pm. The final hand-written book will be deposited in the Library Miguel Hernández of Instituto Cervantes.

People interested in being part of the writing of Don Quijote can reserve their time slot by writing to this email: [email protected]. The participants in the hand-writing chain will receive a free rose.

Photo buffs may also submit their best photos taken during “Día del Libro.” Cool prizes await those who would win in this contest.

Visit La Noche de los Libros and experience a jam-packed evening of excitement, brought to you by Instituto Cervantes. Día del Libro is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and the Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (Aecid).

Admission to all Día del libro activities is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

For further information please log on to: Instituto Cervantes’ website www.manila.cervantes.es or www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila, or contact Instituto Cervantes de Manila at (632) 526-1482 local 111.