Festiba 2007

Welcome to FESTIBA 2007! The Festival of International Books & Arts will celebrate the Arts and Humanities, encourage literacy, and broaden cultural awareness through books, poetry, drama, lectures, musical concerts, artistic exhibits, presentations in design, dance, theatre, films, and more! FESTIBA will provide opportunities for university faculty and students to participate in the exchange of arts, research, and ideas and as well as engage the community through hands-on-events, interactive exhibits, historical re-enactments, light and music show presentations, merging painting with poetry, storytelling, panel discussions, creative writing, movies with commentary, music workshops, competitions and concerts. UTPA campus tours on March 1-3 will also give valuable insights into an artistic, creative, and educational environment.  Through FESTIBA, participants will be encouraged to celebrate and experience arts and ideas and prepare for studies in the arts and humanities.

FESTIBA is proud to welcome the Texas Book Festival as a participant bringing three visiting authors.  Since 1995, with the backing of First Lady Laura Bush, the Texas Book Festival has become one of the premier literary festivals in the country. Now in its twelfth year, the Texas Book Festival is more than a celebration of books and Texas writers; it's also a celebration of the joys of reading and a benefit for Texas public libraries. The Texas Book Festival is held yearly in October at the State Capitol in Austin. Laura Bush continues to serve as Honorary Chairman.  This year the presence of the Texas Book Festival will be seen at FESTIBA through the "Author, Author" program and the participation of visiting children’s authors. Authors Lila Guzman, David Rice, and Rene Saldaña will visit local public schools and read from their own books at the UTPA Ballroom, College of Education, and the Student Union Theater.