Cuenca is a city that prides itself on its many cultural offerings. Almost every day there are concerts, photo exhibits, art exhibits, or "folkloric" activities. Unfortunately, we don't get out as often as we'd like, but we do take advantage of the offerings when we can.
The 10th Bienal de Arte recently finished up its six week run, and we were able to see quite a few of the exhibits. The Bienal draws artists from all over South and Central America, even one from California, and there were over 25 different exhibition spaces, with many more artists represented. All of the exhibits were free, and some were in very public spaces, such as exterior walls and even buses.
We also recently saw a production of Carmen, directed by a Cuban friend of ours. The entry for this was $3.00, and it only played for one night. A couple of nights later, we went to see the Cuenca Symphony Orchestra perform, for free, and were surprised to walk into the middle of the the first performance of the International Guitar Festival. There is currently an International dramatic arts festival, an International film festival, a Cantinflas film festival, and I don't know what else going on. Tonight and tomorrow night there is a Messiah at the "Old Cathedral" - hopefully, at least one of us will get to go.
