International Women's Day in Cuenca: Six Women Honored, Free Exhibitions, and a Week of Culture
Chip Moreno
Women's Day Is a Full Week in Cuenca
International Women's Day falls on Sunday, March 8 — but Cuenca's municipality isn't waiting for the weekend. The city has spread Women's Day programming across the entire week, with events running March 4 through March 8 at cultural venues across the city.
Here's what's worth checking out.
"Mujeres de Cuenca: Fuerza y Belleza" — Photography Exhibition
The centerpiece of the week is a photography exhibition by Jane Hiltbrand, showcasing eight years of her work documenting Cuenca's women — children, young mothers, market vendors, artists, and elderly women from every background.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exhibition | "Mujeres de Cuenca: Fuerza y Belleza" |
| Artist | Jane Hiltbrand |
| Venue | Casa Patrimonial Municipal de las Posadas, Gran Colombia y Octavio Cordero |
| Dates | February 26 – March 25, 2026 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Admission | Free |
The images capture moments of celebration, labor, and quiet introspection. If you've ever walked through Feria Libre or watched a Chola Cuencana selling flowers at the Carmen market, you'll recognize the spirit of these photographs.
Six Remarkable Women to Be Honored
On Friday, March 6 at 5:00 PM, a coalition of Cuenca civic organizations will formally recognize six women who have made extraordinary contributions to the city. The ceremony takes place at the Auditorium of the Colegio de Abogados del Azuay (Parque Luis Cordero).
The honorees:
| Honoree | Recognized For |
|---|---|
| Carmen Mercedes Saguay Albarracín | Economic Development & Entrepreneurship |
| Ana Susana Mora Segovia | Community Leadership |
| Luisa Alejandrina Nivicela Morocho | Sports Excellence |
| Rosa Pulla Llivipuma | Cultural Merit (Pase del Niño Viajero tradition) |
| Manena Escandón Álvarez | Communications |
| Flor María Salazar González | Academic Merit |
The ceremony is organized by Colectivo Ciudadano Cuencanos a Paso Firme, Fundación Chola Cuencana, Fundación Ciudadanos en Acción, and ONG Amanecer Ecuador.
Women's Day Concert — Friday, March 6 at 7:00 PM
A Concierto por el Día de la Mujer (Women's Day Concert) is scheduled for Friday evening at 7:00 PM. The municipal cultural agenda lists this as a free event — check the Cultura Cuenca agenda for venue confirmation as the date approaches.
More Events This Week
The municipal cultural network has packed the week with free workshops and events at venues across the city:
Thursday, March 5
| Time | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | "Creciendo juntas con luz propia" — Women's recreational workshop | Biblioteca Municipal de Turi |
| 3:00 PM | "Ceremonia Lunar en torno a la Mujer" — Lunar ceremony honoring women | Casa Patrimonial del Artista, Av. Loja y Cantón Gualaceo |
| 5:30 PM | "Proceso cerámico en Raku" — Ceramics lecture | Casa Patrimonial Municipal del Alfarero |
| 7:00 PM | Opening: "Parajes del Silencio" — 50-year retrospective by Diego Jaramillo Paredes | Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, Sucre 1527 y Coronel Talbot |
Friday, March 6
| Time | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 PM | "Mujeres que inspiran" — Women's Day lecture | Casa Patrimonial Municipal del Artista |
| 5:00 PM | Ceremony honoring six distinguished women | Colegio de Abogados del Azuay, Parque Luis Cordero |
| 7:00 PM | Women's Day Concert | TBC (check Cultura Cuenca) |
| 8:00 PM | Carmina Burana — 150+ artists, $10/$15 | Teatro Casa de la Cultura, Luis Cordero y Pdte. Córdova |
Saturday, March 7
| Time | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Antiques exhibition, sale & exchange | Casa Patrimonial Municipal de la Lira, El Vado |
| 3:30 PM | Circus: La Clowpanía | Municipal venue (check agenda) |
| 7:00 PM | Rutas de Fantasmas — theatrical ghost tour | Museo de las Conceptas |
| 7:30 PM | Ballet Folclórico Kawsaynan | Pasaje Padre Pedro Toulop |
| 8:00 PM | Carmina Burana — Second night | Teatro Casa de la Cultura |
| 8:00 PM | Trío Antaño — live music | Pasaje Padre Pedro Toulop |
Free Workshops Still Running This Week
The municipality runs ongoing workshops at cultural centers across the city — all free with registration by email:
- Guitar course — Daily 9:00 AM, Casa de las Posadas. Register: cperalta@cuenca.gob.ec
- Paja toquilla (Panama hat) weaving — Daily 2:30 PM, Casa del Alfarero (Mariscal La Mar y Convención del 45). Register: eramirez@cuenca.gob.ec
- Painting workshop — 9:30 AM, Centro Cultural Los Sauces (Juan Ruiz Morales y Av. de las Américas). Register: rcampoverde@cuenca.gob.ec
- "Facades in Paintings" — 2:00 PM, Museo de la Paja Toquilla (Rafael M. Arízaga y Luis Cordero)
Why This Matters
Cuenca's Women's Day programming isn't a token gesture — it reflects a city that's genuinely investing in its cultural infrastructure. These aren't corporate events with expensive tickets. They're free, community-driven, and spread across neighborhoods from El Centro to Turi to El Valle.
For expats, events like these are one of the best ways to connect with Cuenca beyond the coffee shop circuit. You don't need to speak perfect Spanish to appreciate a photography exhibition or a music performance. Just show up.
Sources: El Mercurio, El Mercurio, Cultura Cuenca, ECURAICES
