FestiLIJ Aridane Solidifies Status as La Palma’s Premier Literary Event

The fifth annual FestiLIJ Aridane has cemented its status as a key cultural event in La Palma, according to reports from the Los Llanos de Aridane City Council. Led by director Elena Martínez, the literary festival aims to inspire a love of reading in younger generations while serving as a social hub that reaches beyond its main venue, the María Nieves Pérez Acosta Municipal Public Library, to local schools and the House of Culture.

The festival’s influence continues through this Sunday with a wide-ranging program. Activities include radio workshops, creative drawing classes, and imagination-building exercises, alongside live performances like improvisation duels and storytelling sessions for all ages. The closing ceremony will feature an oral storytelling marathon and the live recording of an original audio piece.

This year’s lineup features twenty prominent figures in children’s and young adult literature. Notable guests include international author Steve Smallman and acclaimed Spanish writers such as Anna Morató, María Menéndez-Ponte, Margarita del Mazo, Santiago García-Clairac, Chiki Fabregat, Alba Quintas, José Carlos Andrés, Sara Nicolás, Óscar Rull, Javier Fernández Jiménez, Gracia Iglesias, Anaïs Baranda, Rosa del Real, Miguel Can, Miguel Calero, and Eva Clemente.

The festival’s visual identity, created by artist Eugenia Ábalos, celebrates the island’s natural beauty. Her artwork features two children reading, surrounded by La Palma violets and red-billed choughs, highlighting the link between literature and the island's heritage. This year, the festival also expanded its reach through a partnership with the El Paso City Council, allowing for pre-festival events at the Antonio Pino Pérez Library. For the full schedule, please visit the festival’s official website.