The Embassy of Spain, through the Instituto Cervantes and its Cultural and Education Offices, is rolling out a month-long program of film, music, literature, and visual arts this April, anchored on the celebration of International Book Day. Taken together, the calendar reflects a broader approach to cultural diplomacy—one that moves across disciplines and cities, using literature as its anchor while opening up multiple points of engagement with Spanish culture.

The lineup opens with a screening of Soy Nevenka on April 6 at the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman, continuing the embassy’s extended focus on women’s empowerment. On April 8, Suzana Stephanovic, principal cellist of the RTVE Orchestra, will lead a master class for students of the UST Conservatory of Music. A Belgrade-born musician, Stephanovic has built a career that spans both performance and pedagogy, working with youth and philharmonic ensembles across Europe.

The centerpiece of the calendar is Día del Libro on April 25, with a full day of poetry readings, storytelling sessions, free Spanish language classes, music, and Spanish cuisine. Signature activities such as “Escribe el Quijote” and book signings return, alongside a creative writing workshop for young students led by Spanish collective Atrapavientos, known for its work in children’s literature.

Visual art remains a strong component of the embassy’s programming. “Sorolla: A Walk through the Light” continues to transform the Ayala-Greenbelt underpass into an open-air gallery, featuring large-scale reproductions of works by Joaquín Sorolla. In parallel, Spanish art group Boa Mistura has left a visible imprint in the city, with the word “UNYON” painted across a basketball court in Tejeros, Makati, and “TAGPUAN” installed on a wall in Fort Santiago.

At the Ayala Museum, “Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila” runs until June 14, exploring shared histories through textile and design. Meanwhile, the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros houses a permanent exhibition, “Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas,” highlighting Spain’s historical contributions to infrastructure and design.

The embassy’s cultural programming extends beyond Manila. In Cebu, the National Museum of the Philippines presents “Classics of Philippine Cartography from the 16th to the 20th Centuries,” on view until June 30.