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Lady Ximena Uzhca Zambrano of the San Andrés de Taday parish was crowned Azogueñita 2026 on Saturday, April 11 at the Coliseo Tipo Mil in Azogues, during festivities marking the canton's 201 years of cantonization. Worth a day trip this week.

Cuencana Paula Torres just won the women's marathon at the 2026 World Race Walking Team Championships, setting a new championship record of 3:24:37 over 42 km — on April 12, Cuenca's founding day. Ecuador took gold and bronze. Her name needs to be in your head.

Rare night for Cuenca's rock scene. Ruta del Rock celebrates its three-year anniversary tonight with 'El Ritual' at Hacienda San Diego — Santamuerte headlines with their new album, plus As de Picas, Black Purple, and Boca de Serpiente from Colombia. 8 PM, $20.

The biggest stretch of Foundation Week starts tomorrow. A massive rural fair with 70 artisan stands, Andrés Cepeda live Saturday night, a children's parade through El Centro, the official Foundation Day ceremony Sunday, and a holiday on Monday. Here's your weekend plan.

An earlier version of this post described a larger "International Book Fair" with 60 writers. That was based on outdated info from a 2024 edition. The event actually running this weekend is the sixth edition of «Segundas Lecturas», a local book fair at the Biblioteca Municipal Daniel Córdova Toral in El Centro, April 10-12. Thanks to reader Patty Mlady for surfacing the correct details.

Ecuador's largest sacred music festival is happening right now in Cuenca. Over 200 artists — choral groups, soloists, and dancers — are performing free shows tonight and tomorrow night at 8 PM in the Casa de la Cultura theater. This is Foundation Week at its most beautiful.

The International Artisan Biennial has activated across four cities in Ecuador this week, with Cuenca as a key venue. Timed perfectly with Foundation Week, it's a chance to see world-class craftsmanship alongside Cuenca's already legendary artisan tradition.

Cuenca turns 469 this week and the city is throwing a proper party. Orchid shows, symphony concerts, a children's parade, a barter festival, Andres Cepeda live, free pet vaccinations, and the big Foundation Day ceremony on Sunday. Here's everything happening, day by day.

Cuenca's Municipality confirmed its official X (Twitter) account was hacked Saturday afternoon. Until the city regains control, ignore everything posted by @MunicipioCuenca and verify official news through cuenca.gob.ec or other verified channels.