The event is a grand celebration of literature, roses and Spanish culture.
This Saturday, April 25, the Ayala Triangle Gardens will transform
into a vibrant literary hub as Instituto Cervantes de Manila, together
with the embassy of Spain, hosts the iconic Día del Libro (World Book
Day).
From 9 a.m .to 11 p.m., the festival invites book lovers of
all ages to immerse themselves in a full day of culture, tradition and
the joy of reading.
Following the beloved Spanish tradition,
Manila’s top bookstores and publishing houses will offer a wide array of
titles at a 20 percent discount, with every purchase accompanied by a
free rose.
The festivities officially kick
off at 9 a.m. with an inauguration led by Spanish Ambassador Miguel
Utray. Immediately following, the “Quixotic” challenge begins: Escribo
el Quijote, where visitors are invited to hand-write a few lines of
Miguel de Cervantes’ masterpiece, “Don Quixote de La Mancha.” This
decade-long initiative aims to complete a community-written manuscript
to be preserved in the Instituto Cervantes Library.
The 2026
program is packed with interactive and eco-friendly experiences. At 9:45
a.m., Plantadores de Historias (Story Planters) will allow participants
to write poems on plantable paper. For those looking to broaden their
horizons, free Spanish language classes are available at 10:30 a.m. and
4:15 p.m.
Theater and music enthusiasts have much to look forward
to. At 12 noon, Repertory Philippines will provide an exclusive sneak
peek of the musical “Man of La Mancha,” starring Nonie Buencamino. The
afternoon continues with a diverse cultural palette, including Argentine
tango performances, handmade paper workshops by the Design Center of
the Philippines, and a Latin jazz concert at 2:30 p.m.
As evening
approaches, the aroma of Spanish cuisine will fill the park. At 6:15
p.m., the Paella Gigante – a massive paella cooked live – will be served
alongside a fiery flamenco performance. The night concludes with a
high-energy concert by the renowned Filipino reggae band Brownman
Revival at 8 p.m., followed by a DJ set. For those not ready to end the
celebration, the party moves to Electric Sala for La Noche del Libro
until 4:30 AM.
Admission to all activities is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, visit cultura.cervantes.es/manila or follow facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.