First Ciudad Juárez Book and Arts Festival Concludes Successfully
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, June 15, 2026 – The inaugural Ciudad Juárez Book and Arts Festival (FELIJU) concluded successfully on Friday, June 14, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the cultural landscape of the border city. The five-day event, an initiative by the Municipal Government through the Institute for Culture of the Municipality of Juárez (IPACULT) in coordination with the Society of Writers of Ciudad Juárez A.C., brought together a diverse group of writers, artists, cultural promoters, publishers, and readers.
The closing ceremony took place at Paseo Juan Gabriel, the main venue for the festival. Dignitaries present included Ogla Liset Olivas, Director of IPACULT; Jorge Arturo Gutiérrez Ortiz, member of the Society of Writers of Ciudad Juárez A.C. and IPACULT advisor; and José Carmen Gutiérrez, President of the Society of Writers of Ciudad Juárez A.C.
A Collaborative Success for Ciudad Juárez
During her address, IPACULT Director Ogla Liset Olivas expressed gratitude to all participants, organizers, members of the Society of Writers, IPACULT staff, municipal departments, and citizens who contributed to the festival’s success. She emphasized that the collaborative effort was key to the positive outcome of this first edition.
“Thanks to each of the participants, collaborators, and attendees who trusted in this cultural project. FELIJU demonstrated that Ciudad Juárez has a strong, committed artistic and literary community with a great capacity to build spaces for encounter and reflection,” Olivas stated.
Diverse Program Across Multiple Venues
Held from June 10 to June 14, FELIJU offered a comprehensive and free program that included book presentations, conferences, workshops, readings, tributes, concerts, and specialized meetings. These activities were hosted in various cultural spaces throughout the city, extending beyond Paseo Juan Gabriel to alternate venues such as Xoloitzcuintle, Casa Martino, Venus 16, Lincoln 787, Salón Le Gránd, the Maestro Ernesto Ochoa Guillemard Cultural Center, and the Santander Bank parking lot on 16 de Septiembre Avenue.
Renowned Authors and Emerging Music Scene
A significant highlight of this first edition was the participation of acclaimed national and international authors. Among them were Eduardo Nivón, Norma Lazo, Mariano Leyva, Adriana Ayala, Frederick Thierry Palafox, Evelina María Castillo Gil, David Alfonso Estrada, Isa González Bretón, Carla Lamoyi, and Fritz Glockner, who shared their experiences and works with the Juarense public.
The festival also featured the Red de Música Emergente (Emerging Music Network), a platform for dialogue that gathered artists, managers, promoters, bookers, and cultural agents from independent music scenes across northern Mexico. This space facilitated discussions on the challenges and opportunities within the music industry.
Laying the Foundation for Future Cultural Growth
With this successful inaugural edition, the Municipal Government of Ciudad Juárez, IPACULT, and the Society of Writers of Ciudad Juárez A.C. have established a strong foundation for a festival that aims to become a leading cultural event in the northern border region of the country. The initiative underscores a commitment to promoting literature, arts, and cultural access for the entire community.
The festival’s success reinforces the vibrant cultural scene in Ciudad Juárez and sets a precedent for future editions, promising continued enrichment of the city’s artistic and literary life.
Source: https://pausa.mx/concluye-con-exito-el-primer-festival-del-libro-y-las-artes-de-ciudad-juarez-2026/
