Bersong EuroPinoy slated April 16 at Instituto Cervantes

INSTITUTO CERVANTES de Manila brings back the “Bersong EuroPinoy,” a unique poetry chain of Filipino and European poems, April 16, 2 p.m., at Instituto Cervantes’ Salon de Actos.

An interesting poetry recital started in 2009, Bersong EuroPinoy was initiated by Instituto Cervantes as part of the celebration of its Día del Libro (International Book Day). It is often regarded as a “depiction of the brotherhood of languages” as it brings together renowned Filipino poets as well as different participants from various embassies of the European Union. For that reason, Bersong Europinoy has just been awarded the “Gawad Jaime C. de Veyra” by the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino.

Members of the EU diplomatic corps recite poems in their own language, choosing both their own works and those of the other poets. They will then intersperse the readings with English translations of the poems.

Celebrated Filipino poets, on the other hand, participate in the event by reading their own works written either in English or Filipino.

“Following the tradition of our Berso sa Metro reading campaign in the Light Rail Transit Authority where Filipino commuters

have been receiving their daily dose of Spanish- Filipino poetry, we are now expanding our campaign with the Bersong EuroPinoy, which aims to share the poetry from renowned artists all over Europe to Filipinos,” says Instituto Cervantes director José Rodríguez.

Last year’s celebration of the Bersong EuroPinoy saw the participation of 10 European countries and 10 Filipino poets. Three Filipino poets then performed a friendly debate via poetry in the tradition of the Balagtasan to cap off the event.

This year’s celebration will feature the works of Philippine national hero José Rizal in commemoration of his 150th birth anniversary. Filipino poets participating in this event include Siege Malvar, GP Abrajano, Alice Sun-Cua, Santiago Villafania, Rebecca Añonuevo, Shirley Lua, Jun Balde, Cles Rambaud, and John Torralba.

EU countries featured in the poetry recital include Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom.

Bersong EuroPinoy is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development, Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, British Council, Goethe Institut, and the embassies of Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. » Read more...

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