“Primavera en español“ festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world
On 15-25 April, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) will host the annual festival “Primavera en español”, which this year invites you to discover the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. All events are open to the general public and will be held in Spanish, Lithuanian and English.
One language – a multicultural world
The 13th edition of “Primavera en español” aims to promote cultural dialogue and mutual understanding, as well as to increase the inclusion of foreigners and foster multilingualism. “Spanish is an official language in 21 countries, so it is not surprising that this language, which is spoken by some 580 million people worldwide, also unites many different cultures. We are glad that the number of people who want to learn Spanish is growing rapidly in Lithuania too. Not only in universities, but also in our country’s schools. That’s why we want to give everyone the opportunity to see the Spanish-speaking world in a much broader perspective. In cooperation with academic institutions in Spain, Latvia, Estonia, Mexico, and El Salvador, we hope to open the door to the rich cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking countries. On 18 April, we look forward to welcoming you at the opening of the Festival, where the Ambassador of Spain, María Nieves Blanco, will present the historical exhibition “12 mapas y un proyecto. Cartografías de Europa” said Vigilija Žiūraitė, Vytautas Magnus University Spanish language lecturer and one of the festival organisers.
Spanish-speaking VMU students present their cultures
This year, the main organisers of the Primavera en español festival are the Hispanic students of Vytautas Magnus University. Fiorella from Venezuela, Marili from Mexico, Christian from El Salvador, Alberto and Laura from Spain and Georgina from Andorra will present their country’s cultural features at an evening of legends and myths on 16 April. The students also invite you to get to know the music of the Spanish-speaking world by attending a karaoke night at the Mexican restaurant “Amigo BBQ” at the beginning of the second week of the festival. Another surprise in the students’ pipeline is the traditional Hispanic sweets competition on 24 April. “We will end the festival with a concert at the Academy of Music, where we will join René Marines from Mexico to perform a variety of songs that best represent the countries we come from, Venezuela and Mexico. Join us!” invites Fiorella Fusco, student of the Academy of Music of VMU.
Spanish at VMU – 35 years
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Vytautas Magnus University, the organisers of “Primavera en español” are preserving the important traditions of the festival, which have become an integral part of the history of the Spanish language at VMU. As every year, the festival’s activities bring together not only students, but also pupils and alumni. On the evening of 18 April, VMU alumni are invited to come back to the university for the event “Spanish in my life”. Another “Primavera en español” tradition, the “El mundo hispanohablante y yo” schoolchildren’s Olympiad, will take place on 17 April. The tradition of inviting speakers from abroad is also being maintained. In the first week of the festival, creative writing workshops will be given by Agata Babina from the University of Liepaja (Latvia), and in the second week of the festival, lectures will be given by Martha Flores Carillo from ITESO University of Guadalajara (Mexico). On 23 April, there will be a Spanish poetry evening, hosted by lecturer Ana León Manzanero and students from the Latvian Academy of Culture. Everyone is welcome to read a poem in Spanish!
“Primavera en español” is organised by the Miguel de Cervantes Spanish Language and Culture Club and the Vytautas Magnus University Institute of Foreign Languages, in cooperation with the Embassy of Spain in Lithuania.
You can find more information about the festival on the Miguel de Cervantes Club website.
Programme of the events:
