UTRGV’s Festival of International Books & Arts (FESTIBA) Opens, Expands to Brownsville Campus

EDINBURG, TEXAS – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is kicking off its annual Festival of International Books & Arts (FESTIBA), an educational and entertaining event that promotes literacy and appreciation of reading for all ages.

For the first time under the direction of UTRGV, the program is expanding from the Edinburg Campus to now offer a variety of student workshops on the Brownsville Campus.

FESTIBA 2016 runs Feb. 29 – March 6.

This year’s theme is “Nuestras Raices,” intended to celebrate the area’s cultural heritage through arts and literacy, explore the artistic treasures of our region, and discover the significance of our unique border heritage as a valuable tool in educating our children and uniting the community.
On Monday, Feb. 29, Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, UTRGV provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Dahlia Guerra, assistant vice president of Public Arts and Special Projects, launch the week’s activities with a brief program recognizing the major highlights and key authors and artists who will be on campus throughout the week-long event.

The 2016 FESTIBA Kickoff is open to the UTRGV community, key leaders and partners who have supported the program for numerous years. Featured FESTIBA artwork will be on display and a short performance by UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán will close the program.
This year, FESTIBA expands its programs to the Brownsville Campus with student and faculty art exhibits, and communication and music workshops for area high school students.

The media is invited to attend the FESTIBA Kickoff and pick up media packets, which include the 2016 FESTIBA schedule, media passes and parking permits for access to both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses throughout the week.

2016 FESTIBA Kickoff

*OPEN TO THE MEDIA
Monday, Feb. 29, 2016
10 – 10:30 a.m.
UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Center (PAC), 1201 W. University Drive

UTRGV also invites the entire community to attend FESTIBA’s Community Festival at Jardin del Arte on Friday, Mar. 4, and the Mariachi Concert at the UTRGV Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 5.

COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
Friday, March 4
6-10 p.m.
Edinburg City Hall Courtyard, 415 W. University Drive

This fun community event will culminate a week of cultural and educational exchange. The afternoon and evening will feature a lineup of family-friendly events, including musical performances, children’s activity tents, book displays, South Texas Literacy book distributions, children’s plays and storytellers, local and international artists, author presentations, book signings, and art and food vendors.

MARIACHI CONCERT
Saturday, March 5

COMPETITION TIME:
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
($5 admission)

CONCERT TIME:
6 p.m.
($20 general admission)
UTRGV Performing Arts Center, 1201 W. University Drive

More than 600 students from across Texas will face off during the Middle School and High School Mariachi Competition. The FESTIBA 2016 Mariachi Concert will feature the first-place vocal competition winners, group winners in the Middle School contest, and the grand champion of the High School divisions. The concert will feature UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán and the internationally renowned Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, a Grammy Award-winning, Los Angeles-based ensemble.

For a full schedule of events please visit utrgv.edu/festiba.