CULTURE IS not only learned through the eyes or the ears—it is also learned through the nose, the mouth, and the skin.
In line with the year of European Languages, the Ateneo celebrated Linggo de Lingua Europa (Interactive European Languages Week), a four-day event presented by the Cultural Committee of the European Union from September 8 to 11.
The first two days of the event were held in the Ateneo while the last two were held in St. Paul University Manila.
Linggo de Lingua Europa included events showcasing cultures of European countries. Among the events were a culinary day, language and culture introduction classes, a choral poetry contest, a quiz bee on European culture, and talks on multilingualism and the Lisbon Treaty (a treaty designed to streamline the European Union).
“We really wanted to hold [the event] here in the Ateneo to promote the European culture and language more,” said Modern Languages Department Chair Christa Velasco.
The Modern Languages Department, European Studies Department, European Union Society, and Ateneo Lingua Ars Cultura (ALAC) organized the celebration of Linggo de Lingua Europa in the Ateneo.
Food, glorious food
One of the students’ favorite activities in Linggo de Lingua Europa was culinary day. Culinary day showcased a variety of dishes from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Germany, and Austria. Some dishes in culinary day were cooked by students themselves.
“In the classroom area, you learn through your eyes and through your ears. Here, you can learn through your other senses—through your nose, mouth, and touch,” said Crisostomo Ala (III AB Eu), a participant of culinary day.
Likewise, Henson Lee Yu (III BSMS Ch), another participant, thinks the event enabled students to learn about other cultures through food. “However, it’s different because it is not like a lecture, unlike [in the] classroom,” he said.
Lee Yu also said that he liked the activity because the food sold was not available in the commercial market.
Ma. Rita Martha Santiago (II AB Eu), who sold pesto spaghetti during the event, said, “It’s a good way to meet people and to make money!”
Velasco said the money from culinary day goes back to the students. For example, profit from the Austrian booth would be used to buy Austrian books for the Rizal Library.
“It’s not so much a food sale but more about the culture. When they demonstrate the food, they will give some anecdotes and backgrounds about it,” said Soriano. “The important thing is the cultural explanation.”
Meanwhile, the language and culture introduction classes featured the French, Finnish, Portuguese, German, Italian, and Spanish languages.
The choral poetry contest also displayed colorful renditions of poetry from different European languages. However, due to a lack of contestants for the Spanish and English categories, everyone was declared a winner in the contest.
Global Pinoy
Ala said the importance of learning European culture stems from understanding Philippine history. “Our civilization has its basis on Spain, a European culture,” he said. “We can’t deny our diversity, having roots from Spain and having Spanish influence.”
ALAC Executive Vice President Christine Kempeneers (IV AB Eu), who headed the event for the organization, said that it was important for Filipinos to learn about other countries’ culture because Filipinos live in a globalizing society.
“[Because] a number of Filipinos will more or less get involved in working in or working with other countries, [this] calls for the great need of awareness,” said Pristine Melissa Roxas (III AB Comm), who attended the choral poetry contest.
Importance of language
Head of Political Press and Information Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines Gabriel Munuera, Ph.D., stressed the importance of language in his talk “Multilingualism in the European Union.”
Munuera said that the EU plans to require its member countries to speak at least two languages apart from the mother tongue, although the policies are not finalized yet.
He added that multilingualism is a way of getting to know each other and other cultures. “Language is a particular perception of the world, it shows history and people.”
