The Instituto Cervantes is a public, non-profit institution founded by the Spanish government in 1991 to promote and teach the Spanish language and spread the culture of Spanishspeaking countries. Established in the Philippines in 1993, it strives to provide Filipinos with an understanding of Spanish culture and a broader view of the Hispanic world.

Fiesta... is meant to commemorate Spain’s National Day, which is celebrated on October 12. This year’s edition promises to be a truly exceptional affair, with a variety of cultural events, live performances, Spanish movies, culinary delights, wine tastings, painting and photography exhibits, and even an authentic Basque contemporary dance as performed by Spain’s very own artists.

FIESTA 2004 HIGHLIGHTS Fiesta 2004 begins with a grand launch party on October 1 starting 8pm at the Greenbelt 3 Fountain Area. Everyone is invited to warm up to fiery flamenco dance numbers by the Emma Estrada Group and Ibiza-worthy beats from Temple Bar’s DJs; take a sip of Spain’s favorite drink with “Sangria Hopping: Who’s got the best Sangria?” as the Director of the Instituto helps determine which establishment wins the Sangria-pouring prize; and then cap the night with a display of dazzling fireworks.

Those who consider puppetry as mere children’s entertainment are sure to be amazed by Bambalina’ s multi-awarded interpretation of the Miguel de Cervantes classic “Don Quixote,” which stages its Philippine premiere at the RCBC Plaza on October 2.

Last year, local audiences were treated to the Nuevo Ballet Espanol’s magnificent performance of Concierto Flamenco. This year promises another night of thrilling choreography as contemporary dance group Aukeran gives life to Basque traditional dances set to modem rhythms. The performance will be staged at the CCP Main Theater on October 9.

Feeding the Filipino love for interesting music, the Instituto Cervantes brings us the unique sound of the Spanish musical group Caponata Argamacho Trio. Their innovative and contemporary style is influenced by a wide range of different musical disciplines such as jazz, rock and world (ethnic) music.

Each member of the group has trained extensively with his selected instrument, and their skilled ensemble resonates with an incomparable timbre generated by the unusual fusion of the soprano sax, viola and electric bass. They will be performing in Cebu on October 20, and in Manila at the RCBC Plaza on October 21 as the closing event of the Festival.

MUSIC, POETRY AND THEATER

Spanish guitarist Josep Henriquez will treat Manila aficionados to a magic night of classical guitar with a quintessentially Spanish program of Albeniz, Falla, Turina, and other masters. The concert will be held at the RCBC Plaza on October 14.

If poetry is a “tool of love” and Spanish, as dubbed by many, is “a language of love,” then romantics should not miss these two events: a tribute to the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, whose centenary we are celebrating this year on September 28; and a night of passionate poetry by Miguel Hernandez to be held at the RCBC Plaza on October 18. A group of local poets have translated into English and seven Filipino languages an anthology of poetry by Hernandez, who died a victim of the dictator Franco’s repressive regime. This marks the first time that the works of the Spanish poet are being published in an Asian language.

Inspired by the poetry of Hernandez, theater director Jose Estrella will also present an original production for Fiesta 2004. She aims to draw the best out of the Dulaang UP in a pseudomusical play at the RCBC Plaza on October 19.

SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL

This year, the Spanish Festival de Cine features 15 award-winning films from Spain and Latin America at the Greenbelt 1 from October 1 to 17. Love and sex, music and comedy, ambition and frustration, youth and old age, all intertwine in this eclectic selection of movies depicting life in the modem Spanish-speaking world.

FOOD AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in a month-long Spanish Food Festival. A chef from Spain’s Mediterranean coast will lure gourmet lovers to exquisite presentations of the country’s gastronomic best.

A photo exhibit of Antoni Gaudi’s most emblematic works will run from October 4 to 31 at the newly inaugurated Ayala Museum. Spanish photographer Mare Llimargas will be exhibiting 51 exceptional photographs of Gaudi’s creations. Acclaimed for their remarkable technique and artistry, Llimargas’ photos have been exhibited in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.