In a vibrant celebration of literature and cultural heritage, four Latin American embassies in Manila joined forces with the Instituto Cervantes and the Embassy of Spain for the 2025 edition of Día del Libro, held this year with a special focus on the Latin American Boom.

The event, which has become a literary tradition in the city, drew book lovers, students and cultural enthusiasts to revisit the groundbreaking movement that redefined Spanish-language fiction in the 20th century.

The Latin American Boom, led by writers such as Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, José Donoso and Carlos Fuentes, propelled the region’s literature onto the global stage with bold narrative techniques and deeply political storytelling.

Throughout the day, each participating embassy presented readings, exhibits and interactive discussions showcasing the legacy of these authors.

Colombia, in particular, brought magical realism to life, offering visitors a sensory journey into the surreal landscapes of García Márquez’s Macondo, where nostalgia, myth and history coexist.

For many Filipino attendees, the event was an introduction to a genre that mirrors their own culture’s richness and complexity. “It’s incredible how familiar it feels,” said participant Joel Mandigma.

“The mix of the mystical and the mundane; it’s like reading our own folklore in another language.”

Instituto Cervantes Director Javier López Tapia emphasized the importance of literary diplomacy, saying, “These stories transcend borders. They remind us that the imagination is a shared heritage.”

As roses and books were exchanged, a tradition born in Barcelona and lovingly adopted in Manila, the 2025 Día del Libro reminded readers of literature’s power not only to entertain, but to connect cultures, histories and hearts across oceans.