Instituto Cervantes presents ‘Bersong Europinoy’

Instituto Cervantes, and the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, the Goethe Institut, Alliance Française, the Philippine-Italian Association, the Consulate of Slovakia and the embassies of Spain, Austria, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, are presenting the 6th edition of the poetry recital “Bersong Europinoy,” on May 26 at 7 p.m. at Instituto Cervantes, as part of the “Viva Europa” program.

It’s not the first literary project organized by Instituto Cervantes in 2015, a field in which the Spanish cultural center is very active, from publications to lectures, or public recitals. “Literature is in our DNA,” says José María Fons, the cultural manager of Instituto Cervantes. He still remembers the sensation of the popular reading campaign “Berso sa Metro.” In 2007 Instituto Cervantes filled up the LRT and MRT trains with poems. The campaign was supposed to last for six months but commuters loved the posters and it was extended. Until now the poems are still there.

“I suppose that people appreciated poems inside the trains instead of ads,” Fons explains. “People do like literature, do like poetry, and through our cultural program we are ready to cater that desire. In 2009 we proposed the European Cultural Group to have a Filipino and European poetry recital. The initiative was supported by the EU Delegation and since then we’ve been working together to stage ‘Bersong Europinoy’ every year.”

Following the success of previous editions, “Bersong EuroPinoy” aims to serve as a cultural exchange platform in the field of poetry between Europe and the Philippines, offering a unique multicultural event where participants will delight in hearing acclaimed poems recited by European diplomats and cultural representatives in their native languages, alongside those of reputable Filipino writers — Alice Sun Cua, Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta, Carlomar Daoana, Allan Pastrana, Vijae Alquisola and Shirley O. Lua are the participant Filipino poets for this year.

“As for Europe, this edition we’ll be featuring poetry from eight countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia & Spain,” says Carlos Madrid, Instituto Cervantes director.

In 2011, “Bersong Europinoy” was awarded with a Gawad Jaime C. De Veyra – Natatanging Parangal from the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (Commission of the Filipino Language) for “its continuous support and contribution to the awareness and growth of the Filipino language and literature, culture and the arts.”

This year’s theme is “Food, Gastronomy and Table Pleasures.” Live music will also be present in the recital. “Although the current format is working well, we like trying new developments,” says Madrid. “For future editions, I’d like to see poets from Europe attend the event and interact with Filipino writers. It would also be wonderful to see grow the current booklet-program in a book.”

“Bersong Europinoy 2015” will be held on May 26 at 7 p.m. at Instituto Cervantes, 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Entrance to this poetry recital is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Free copies of the poetry compilation will be given on the event. For information, visit http:// manila.cervantes.es or www.facebook.com/ InstitutoCervantesManila.