Instituto de Cervantes Manila will highlight the 150th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal when it again celebrates International Spanish Day (El Dia Español) on June 18.
Taking into account the remarkable cultural ties of the national hero to both Spain and the Philippines, Instituto Cervantes will give tribute to Rizal by holding the very first and largest Spanish choral reading of the hero’s last work, “Mi Ultimo Adios” (My Last Farewell).
The Spanish language and culture center is looking for 150 reader, who will recite the stanzas of the poem in its original Spanish version together with Instituto Cervantes director Jose Rodriguez.
“One of the main activities and attractions will be Rizal,” said Rodriguez during a press conference. “I just wanted to get something that all of you know, the ‘Mi Ultimo Adios.’”
Right after the choral reading, 150 balloons, each containing a stanza from Rizal’s poem, will be released in the air.
Rodriguez explained the relevance of the ceremony. It is, he said, to make sure that wherever the balloons may land and whomever’s hands they may drop, the hero’s words will be seen.
“Whenever it explodes, wherever it is, they can keep that one stanza of Dr. Jose Rizal,” he said.
Rodriguez also promised a festive, vibrant and fiesta-like celebration. The fiesta will serve traditional and original Spanish cuisine.
Guests can release the inner artist in them through writing their thoughts in Spanish on the painted walls of the cultural center.
Small contests and word games such as the Sopa de Palabras (“word hunt”), Formapalabras (form-a-word), and El Juego del Español, a crossword game intended for the fest, will also become part of the celebration.
Highlight of the event is the symbolic cannon-firing. The cannon, which will be blasted at exactly 10:15 a.m., will contain Spanish words and confetti. The visitors can also enjoy the music and stilt-walkers in the celebration.
Rodriguez emphasized the importance of “respecting and embracing history” and for remembering the historical “love story” between Spain and the Philippines.
“[We must be] proud of our culture… it [culture] is something beyond language,” he said.
Third time
It will be the third year in a row that El Dia Español will be celebrated.
El Dia is celebrated on the Saturday nearest the summer solstice. Instituto Cervantes de Manila— along with other 77 IC centers worldwide—will open their doors to the public and simultaneously take part in the grand celebration that promotes awareness about the importance of Spanish language and heritage.
“Over the past two years, all Instituto Cervantes centers across five continents, from Manila to Madrid to Rio de Janeiro, have celebrated the richness of our language and our cultures on this day,” said Rodríguez.
“The main objective is to emphasize the importance of Spanish as an international language of communication.”
“Spanish is the language of famous literary figures from Miguel Cervantes to 2010 Nobel Prize for Literature winner Mario Vargas Llosa. We celebrate its diversity and capacity to cultivate society with an exciting line-up of activities. This year we would like to bring this international cultural feast to as many people as possible, to introduce them to the vast richness that speaking our language brings.”
Games and activities
Starting 9 a.m., visitors can take part in the festivity by choosing their favorite Spanish word. The façade of the Spanish cultural center in Manila will be painted in colors and interested participants can write their thoughts in Spanish on creatively designed walls.
Starting 10 a.m., participants can get a chance to play the Sopa de Palabras, Formapalabras or the Magnetic poetry game. Word-game enthusiasts and the curious may also try their luck with El Juego del Español. Prizes will be given away to lucky players.
For sale at the patio are authentic Spanish dish and other mouth-watering pica-picas.
Free Spanish demonstration classes will be held at 9 and 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Diagnostic tests will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Demo class for learning Spanish online will be scheduled that day at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
El Día Español is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines; Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development, Light Railway Transit Authority and Casino Español de Manila.
Admission is free. Call 5261482 or visit https://manila.cervantes.es Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
