Governor Libia Dennise presented the Cervantes Medal, the Eugenio Trueba Olivares Medal, and the Outstanding Journalist Recognition Guanajuato/Gto
Governor Libia Dennise presented the Cervantes Medal, the Eugenio Trueba Olivares Medal, and the Outstanding Journalist Recognition
Guanajuato/Gto News
The Governor of the People, Libia Dennise Garcia Munoz Ledo, participated in the inauguration of the 54th edition of the International Cervantino Festival (FIC), the most important cultural celebration in Mexico.
“In this Festival of the Spirit, Guanajuato once again tells the world what it is: a land proud of its roots, generous in its talent, and willing to meet others through art,” said the Governor.
“You are the heart that makes this Festival of the Spirit beat. Thank you for demonstrating, year after year, that culture can unite what seems distant, illuminate what seemed forgotten, and open paths where none existed before. May these days allow us to be moved, discover new perspectives, and believe once again in the immense power of human creativity,” said Libia Dennise.
From October 3 to 18, Guanajuato, the Cervantine Capital of the Americas, will transform into a stage for art, history, and diversity for 16 days. France is the guest of honor, marking 200 years of diplomatic relations with Mexico. Artists from 20 Mexican states will also participate, strengthening the national character of the Festival of the Spirit.
The FIC features:
- 95 shows
- 215 performances
- 17 venues
- 3,325 artists (2,802 national and 523 international)
- From 29 countries
- Guanajuato is participating with more than 1,400 artists
- In 22 activities
Diferent arts are presented:
- Music, theater, dance, opera, visual arts, and multidisciplinary performances
- In theaters, museums, and public squares
Highlights include:
- Proyecto Ruelas, the People’s Stage, and Musical Winds for the People, which bring culture to communities
This edition also celebrates the centenary of Jose Alfredo Jimenez and the legacy of Maria Grever.
Numbers expected:
- An attendance of over 268,000 people
- An economic impact exceeding 363.5 million pesos
- An estimated 63,776 tourists are expected to stay in hotels in Guanajuato City
- With an average occupancy rate of 60%
“May every applause celebrate diversity. May every stage build bridges. And may every experience remind us that when art touches the soul, the world changes for the better,” the State Governor emphasized.
The Cervantes Medal is awarded
The 2026 Cervantes Prize is awarded to the Latin American Quartet, a group founded in Mexico in 1982, winner of two Latin Grammys and recognized for bringing Latin American chamber music to five continents.
The award was given to Aron Bitran, a violinist born in Chile and naturalized Mexican, founder of the Quartet, international soloist and mentor to generations.
Outstanding Journalist is recognized
The Outstanding Journalist Award goes to Federico Velio Ortega Delgado, journalist, communicator and historical researcher from Leon, for 40 years of journalistic practice that contributes to the legacy and memory of Guanajuato.
The Eugenio Trueba Olivares Medal to be awarded
The Eugenio Trueba Olivares Medal will also be awarded. Established in 2014 in memory of the former rector of the University of Guanajuato and director emeritus of the University Theater, this award recognizes the career and contributions of Guanajuatense artists and groups that have participated in the Cervantino Festival and enriched the State’s cultural life.
This year, Sara Pinedo receives this distinction; Pinedo is a Guanajuato-born creator who has transformed community theater through the Ruelas Project, which leverages memory, participation and activism, linking territories, the young and human rights with national and international stages.
France is at the Spirit Festival
The opening takes place in an edition that has France as the guest of honor, marking 200 years of diplomatic relations of Mexico and France. Their presence goes beyond an artistic delegation; it allows for the strengthening of a relationship built on culture, education, heritage, and cooperation.
The French program includes music, theater, dance, opera, urban art and multidisciplinary proposals that showcase the diversity of its contemporary creation.
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