News Release | Community
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. (UTRGV Archival Photo by Paul Chouy)
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Around Campus, Events and Exhibits, Community
By News and Media Relations
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – FEB. 19, 2025 – Join The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in celebrating creativity at the annual Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) from Feb. 20 to March 2, where art, literature and music come together.
This year's theme, "Life Tapestry: Art and Words," highlights the vivid imagery and sensory details that poets and musicians use to engage their audiences. Established in 2006, FESTIBA promotes literacy, culture and the arts among students, parents, educators and the community throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Key events include:
Newly appointed UTRGV Arts Director Richard Burrows emphasized the importance of showcasing local talent, including UTRGV students and faculty, at FESTIBA.
"Most of the FESTIBA presentations come from faculty and student groups, demonstrating their highest caliber of work,” Burrows said. “It’s a great thing to share with the community.”
Throughout the festival, UTRGV faculty will showcase their expertise and talents in workshops and presentations covering literature, music, art and poetry, providing valuable insights into their fields.
The talents of UTRGV’s students and faculty will also be showcased during several School of Music presentations, including the UTRGV Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “Wild, Wild West!” This show pays homage to Billy the Kid, featuring songs that depict the adventures of the American cowboy. It will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg.
"We present high-quality work which reflects who our community is and showcase what South Texas has to offer," Burrows added.
The festival aims to inspire youth through the fine arts with more than 300 Gear Up students from across the Ro Grande Valley expected to attend on Wednesday, Feb. 26, many experiencing campus life for the first time and seeing the arts in action.
“Seeing other young people perform or discuss poetry can be an eye-opener for many,” Burrows said.
For a schedule of events or more information on FESTIBA, visit www.utrgv.edu/festiba.
ABOUT UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.
UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.