The Cultural Centre of the Philippines (CCP) holds its third Performance Literature Festival on March 31 to April 2, in line with the National Literature Month.
(L-R) Leo Castro of Sanghabi, Fleur Panga of Sanghabi, Vim Nadera (Performatura 2017 festival director) in archangel costume, Posh Develos of Pinoy Storytellers Group, and Berna Manipon of Theatre in Alternative Platforms
This year’s edition of the CCP Intertextual Division-initiated festival once again celebrates the intersections of the written word and performance with the theme “Sa Loob at Labas ng Bayan Kong Sawi” (Within and Without My Sorrowful Country). This theme, which was a direct quote from Florante at Laura, breathes life to the poetry readings, cultural performances, film showings, marathon readings, book fair, and interviews with renowned artists and writers during the three-day festival.
The word Performatura is a mash-up of the word performance and orature or oral literature. Orature is a term coined by Ugandan linguist Pio Zirimu who wanted to raise oral literature to the level of written literature.
CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado
In line with the National Literature Month’s festivities, which will kick off with a tribute to Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar, the Performatura 2017 lines up various artists who will be giving life to the works of the greatest Filipino literary laureate.
Entrance to the festival is free and open to the public, but audiences are also encouraged to donate a book as a price for admission. Each donation will go to the Center’s Aklatang Bayan, a project of the CCP Library.