Los Silos International Storytelling Festival Celebrates 30 Years

The Los Silos International Storytelling Festival is marking its 30th year, a significant milestone for this beloved cultural event. Its success is thanks to the dedication of storytellers, public bodies, and private sponsors, but most importantly, the people of Isla Baja, who embrace the festival as their own each year.

"This festival is a journey many have taken, making art meaningful, because without these people, books and art wouldn't exist," said Ernesto Rodríguez Abad, the festival's director. Abad is also a professor of Spanish Literature at the University of La Laguna, an oral storyteller, writer, and researcher.

The festival, running until December 8th, was officially launched on Friday. The presentation included Rodríguez Abad, along with Carmen Luz Baso, the mayor of Los Silos; José Carlos Acha, the Minister of Culture for the Cabildo; Cristóbal de la Rosa, Director General of Cultural Innovation and Creative Industries for the Government of the Canary Islands; and Stijn Gebtrues, Director of the Tenerife North Business Area of CaixaBank, representing the La Caixa Foundation. The CajaCanarias Foundation is also supporting the event.

Rodríguez Abad shared some of the program's highlights, which are mainly scheduled between December 5th and 8th. A full schedule is available on the festival's website, www.cuentoslossilos.es, where tickets can also be purchased for events that require them.

Mayor Carmen Luz Baso emphasized the festival's importance to Los Silos and Tenerife, mentioning the city council's unanimous request for the Gold Medal of Tenerife. "We would be delighted if it were awarded this year," she stated. "We also hope to see the Casa del Cuento open in 2025, as it will be a place to reflect the 30 years of history, hard work, and stories that this festival represents."

The festival's presentation took place at the old Convent of San Sebastián, where an exhibition titled "30 Years of the Storytelling Festival" was also unveiled. This exhibition looks back at the festival's history and features storytellers demonstrating their craft. During the same event, the 29th issue of Mnemósyne magazine, focusing on creation and research, was presented.

This year's festival is a tribute to Tomás Iriarte, a writer from Puerto de la Cruz known for his fables and erotic poetry. Adding to the occasion, the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra (OST) will perform Igor Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" in Los Silos on December 7th, a significant highlight of the festival.

Rodríguez Abad also pointed out the festival's "educational work," which involves primary school students through school visits and collaborations with university philology departments. The festival is also working with universities in Castilla-La Mancha and Barranquilla, Colombia. This year, 4,000 young students are participating in school visits, which Abad described as "less visible but a key part" of the festival.