Instituto Cervantes’ Día Del Libro Returns To Ayala Triangle On April 25
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.
