FESTIBA In the News
FESTIBA 2025 to highlight youth talent at annual Mariachi Festival
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will come alive with young mariachi groups from across the region during the annual Mariachi Festival, a vibrant celebration of youth talent and cultural heritage as part of the Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA).
This year’s festival, taking place from Feb. 28-March 1 at the Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg, will feature an impressive lineup of vocal and group competitions for middle and high school students, culminating in a special performance by Grammy-nominated artist José Hernández and his acclaimed mariachi group, Mariachi Sol de México.
Francisco Loera, co-director of UTRGV’s Mariachi Aztlán, noted that the Mariachi Festival provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the university’s award-winning mariachi ensembles to young musicians. Participants will also have the chance to learn and be inspired by some of the best mariachi artists during instrumental workshops and masterclasses on Friday.
“It is exciting for these kids to meet high-level mariachi members, as it motivates them to keep going and push harder to compete,” Loera said.
Dive into the arts at FESTIBA 2025
UTRGV kicks off its annual Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) Feb. 20 through March 2. This year’s theme, "Life Tapestry: Art and Words," celebrates the vibrant imagery and sensory details that connect art, literature, and music. Since 2006, FESTIBA has promoted literacy, culture and the arts to the Rio Grande Valley community.Key events include:
- Distinguished Artist Series: Featuring 2024 Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston. Date: Thursday, Feb. 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Liberal Arts Building, Room 107
- Edinburg Book Festival – Celebrating Community Voices: A family-friendly event with free book giveaways. Date: Friday, Feb. 21, 6-8:30 p.m. Location: Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library, 1906 S. Closner Blvd.
- South Texas Literacy Symposium: A free professional development conference for educators and literacy professionals, featuring the 2024 Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston as a keynote speaker. Date: Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Ballroom
- UTRGV Gear Up Day: Hundreds of Gear Up students will explore campus life and attend seminars on creativity, literacy skills and college readiness. Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Location: UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg
- FESTIBA Mariachi Festival: Renowned mariachi musicians will conduct workshops, and competitions, showcasing the best mariachi programs in Texas. Date: Friday, Feb. 28, to Saturday, March 1 Location: UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg.
FESTIBA 2025
Thursday, February 20th -
Sunday, March 2nd
Theme: Life’s Tapestry: Art and Words
The Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) was established in 2006 to promote the importance of literacy, culture and the arts to students, parents, educators and community members throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The Arts, in all their enchanting forms, have the ability to transport us to different realms and ignite our imagination. FESTIBA 2024-2025 will explore the theme of Life’s Tapestry: Art and Words. One of the most captivating aspects of poetry is its use of imagery. Through vivid descriptions and sensory details, poets and musicians paint pictures in our minds, allowing us to experience the essence of their sounds and words. Imbuing life with colors, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch, Arts and Words offer a window into the rich tapestry of life.
Click Here for FESTIBA 2025 Schedule!
FESTIBA 2024 kick-off
Friday, February 23rd
COMMUNITY FESTIVAL in Edinburg
Join us for this fun community event, which will feature an amazing list of family-friendly events including a variety of author presentations, book signings and distributions, musical performances, children’s activities, book and art displays. Featuring Jazminne Mendez - poet, educator and award-winning author.
Free books will be distributed by the South Texas Literacy Association!
Location: Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library, 1906 South Closner Boulevard, Edinburg
Time: 6 p.m.
UTRGV celebrates 17th annual FESTIBA 2023 starting Feb. 25
Last year, Raquel Ortiz, an author of children's books, visited with local elementary students as part of the Reading Rock Stars program, organized by the Texas Book Festival in conjunction with UTRGV's annual Festival of International Books & Arts (FESTIBA). This year, FESTIBA will run from Feb. 25 to March 5. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)
UTRGV is bringing the joy and wonder of literacy to the community with its annual Festival of International Books & Arts (FESTIBA).
FESTIBA, an educational and entertaining event that promotes literacy and appreciation of reading for all ages, starts Feb. 25 and runs through March 5.
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, special assistant to the dean of the College Fine Arts at UTRGV, said each year the festival has a new theme.
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FESTIBA 2023
UTRGV is bringing the joy and wonder of literacy to the community with its annual Festival of International Books & Arts through March 5. The educational and entertaining event promotes literacy and appreciation of reading for all ages.
Dahlia Guerra, special assistant to the dean of the College Fine Arts at UTRGV assistant vice president for Public Art & Special Projects, said each year the festival has a new theme.
“We do that to inspire the community through the cultural arts, and to remind our community of the importance of promoting literacy, especially early childhood literacy,” she said.
The theme for this year’s FESTIBA is “Transforming our World Through Arts and Literacy.”
“The theme this year highlights the transformative power of the arts, which can touch us and move us, and points to the arts as a great source of inspiration to bring people together and transform communities,” Guerra said.
By focusing on transformation, FESTIBA hopes to show how the creative and cultural arts create spaces in which people can share their experiences, no matter how different their lives and experiences are.
Some of the highlights of FESTIBA 2023 include:
- FESTIBA 2023 the Community Festival at the Edinburg Bookfest on Feb. 24 at the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library in Edinburg
- Writing workshop on Feb. 27 with San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson
- A poetry performance and Q&A with Sanderson and frontera storyteller, poet and biographer Gris Muñoz
- Piano concert with internationally renowned pianist Robert Satterlee
- The FESTIBA Mariachi Festival, which includes masterclasses, competitions and a concert featuring Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández on March 3-4.
Read More Here!