European diplomats, Bicol artists recite masterpieces to inspire hope

Former Hungarian Ambassador Jozsef Bencze took the honor of reading “Még nem elég” (Not Yet Enough), a masterpiece by Vaci Mihaly, who was a Hungarian poet and publicist, and whose works had touched on social issues with socialistic undertones. The recital was part of the ongoing “Bersong Euro-pinoy 2020” reading of poems by European envoys and esteemed local literary artists.

The event, which aims to inspire hope during these tough times, began as an idea of Instituto Cervantes, a Spanish government agency known for promoting Spanish language and culture. “Bersong EuroPinoy” had been held under the framework of “Dia del Libro,” convening diplomats and literary artists from the EU Delegation to the Philippines, EU member-states’ embassies and cultural institutes.

This year’s event also saw Polish chargé d’affaires to the Philippines and ambassador to Ethiopia Jarosław Roman Szczepankiewicz accept the privilege of rendering Julian Tuwim’s “The Remembrance.” Tuwim was a poet and a major figure in Polish literature, who was also known for his contributions to children’s literature.

Meanwhile, Dora Sediva, the eight-yearold daughter of Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Sediva, partook in festivities as well. She recited “The Crystal Spring” by Josef Václav Sládek, a Czech poet and journalist, who translated 33 plays by William Shakespeare.

The translation by national artist for literature Virgilio Almario, titled “Awit Ng Pag-ibig” from “Zhudebněná milostná báseň,” a love poem set to the music by Jan Kresaldo, would be read by Amiel Jeremy Diaz, the political officer at the Czech embassy in Manila.

Known Bicolano literary artists are also set to join “Bersong Euro-pinoy” this year, which is themed “Mga Tataramon nin Paglaom Words of Hope Verses Versus the Virus.”

The esteemed list includes Fr. Wilmer Tria, who translated Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet” to the Bicol language; Kristian Sendon Cordero, a poet and a multi-awardee writer; Rosaurio Imperial Sr., a writer known for translating such classics as Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” and Gustav Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary” in corrido form; and Frank Peñones Jr., a poet and a writer known for his Ragang Rinaranga. Also set to participate are Roda Daignre, known for Bicol-masbate literature; film critic and Businessmirror columnist Tito Genova Valiente; and Jess Volante and Delia Enverga-volante, two of Bicol literature luminaries.

According to Thomas Wiersing, chargé d’affaires, a.i. of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, last May’s poetry recital has enthused the EU Delegation to bring it to Naga and Dumaguete. The “Bersong EuroPinoy” offers a venue for mutually understanding and appreciating the European and Filipino cultures and for strengthening people-to-people links between Europeans and Filipinos.

“Bersong Euro-pinoy 2020” runs until next month, streamed live at the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

The poetry recital is a collaboration between Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy through the Philippine-italian Association, Poland, Spain through Instituto Cervantes, and multi-awarded Filipino poets from the Bicol region. The EU Delegation has also collaborated with Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Naga University Press, and Ateneo Arts and Culture in holding the literary event.