Cuenca Prepares for 469th Foundation Anniversary -- Awards and Month-Long Celebrations

469 Years of Santa Ana de los Rios

Mark your calendar: April 12, 2026 is the 469th anniversary of the founding of Cuenca. The city was officially established as Santa Ana de los Rios de Cuenca on April 12, 1557, by Gil Ramirez Davalos, and every year the date is celebrated with civic ceremonies, cultural events, and a healthy dose of cuencano pride.

Since April 12 falls on a Sunday this year, the local holiday will be observed on Monday, April 13. That means a long weekend for most -- banks, government offices, and many businesses will be closed on Monday.

This Year's Honorees

One of the most important traditions of the anniversary celebration is the awarding of the city's highest civic honors -- the Insignias -- to citizens who have made exceptional contributions to Cuenca.

This year's announced honorees include:

Insignia Santa Ana de los Rios de Cuenca

• Angel Gerardo Ortiz Cornejo
• Jose Patricio Ortiz Cornejo
• Additional honorees to be announced

This is the city's top civic honor, recognizing lifetime contributions to Cuenca's development and identity.

Insignia Hermano Miguel

• Cristian Pineda Guzman

Named after Cuenca's most famous religious figure (Brother Miguel, who was canonized by Pope Francis), this award recognizes contributions to education, social service, and community development.

Insignia al Merito Deportivo

• Diana del Rocio Santana Pesantez

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in sports and athletic contribution to the city's reputation.

Additional honorees across various categories will be announced in the coming days. The formal ceremony typically takes place on or near April 12 in the Municipal Council chambers.

Month-Long Celebrations

As we reported earlier this week, the full month of April will feature cultural programming tied to the anniversary. While the complete official agenda from the Direccion General de Cultura is still being finalized, expect:

• Gastronomic festivals showcasing traditional Cuencan cuisine
• Student parades with floats, marching bands, and traditional dance
• Serenades and fireworks in the Historic Center (typically the night of April 11)
• Art exhibitions, theater, music, and dance performances at venues citywide
• Craft fairs and community events in neighborhood parks and plazas
• Civic ceremonies including the Insignia awards and flag-raising events

What This Means for Expats

• Monday, April 13 is a local holiday. Plan around it -- banks, the Registro Civil, SRI offices, and most government services will be closed
• The long weekend (April 11-13) will see increased traffic on highways as people travel. If you're heading to the coast or anywhere outside the city, leave early or expect delays
• The Historic Center will be lively but congested throughout the month, especially during major events. Parking will be a nightmare -- take the tram or a taxi
• This is one of the best times to experience Cuencan culture. The anniversary celebrations are authentic civic pride in action, not tourist events. Attending even a few events gives you a much deeper appreciation of the city
• Restaurants will run special menus and many will be packed during peak celebration days. Book ahead if you want a sit-down dinner on the April 11 weekend
• We'll publish the full official agenda once the municipality releases it. Follow CuencaExpat.com for updates

If you've been here for a while and haven't attended the anniversary celebrations, this is the year to start. If you're new to Cuenca, there's no better introduction to the city's soul than watching cuencanos celebrate their hometown.

Source: El Mercurio