First bilingual edition of 'Noli Me Tangere' launched at Instituto Cervantes

MANILA, Philippines - Noli me Tangere, considered to be the greatest Philippine novel, will be launched as a bilingual book for the first time on Nov. 22, 7 p.m., at the Instituto Cervantes. 

The 912-page historical bilingual edition, which will be released as part of the sesquicentennial birth anniversary of its author, National Hero Jose Rizal, is the result of the collaboration of Instituto Cervantes de Manila and Vibal Foundation to publish the most important Philippine book for Spanish-speaking and English-speaking readers today.

This bilingual sesquicentennial edition reproduces the first edition (edicion principe) in its entirety. Philologist Isaac Donoso has supplemented it with over 1,200 notes on both the published Berlin edition and the original manuscript, highlighting Rizal’s additions, deletions, and emendations.

The original Spanish text has been printed in parallel with Charles Derbyshire’s classic English translation. Expurgated passages have been restored, thus carefully maintaining its fidelity to Rizal’s text.

The textual lines of the novel have been consecutively numbered to serve as a tool for future scholars in establishing a definitive concordance. This collector’s delight also contains an extensive bibliography, tracing the history of its manifold translations and editions. Juan Luna’s original and evocative illustrations accompany the text.

This book is complemented by Rizal scholar Ambeth Ocampo’s introductory essay on the history of the Noli’s publication. Isaac Donoso provides a fresh and contemporary look into the life and works of the seminal thinker, while National Archives director Ino Manalo reframes the novel by tracing its sources in classical and Philippine art, as well as biblical and folk literature.

Noli me Tangere transcends its political agenda to become a true work of art, thus securing its rightful place in the pantheon of great world literature. With this bilingual edition, it remains as fresh, vivid, moving, and subversive as on the day it was first published.

Entrance to this launch is free. Copies of the book with a 20-percent discount will also be sold during the presentation. For information, call 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es. Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.