The streets of the historic El Poblado sector in the Mariño municipality of Nueva Esparta state are preparing to transform into a stage of color, tradition and artistic expression with the arrival of the 26th edition of the Ciudad Mural International Festival.
The community, with its deep ancestral roots, will host a distinguished contingent of regional, national, and international muralists, who will transform local facades to honor the island's memory and cultural heritage.
The paintings will pay homage to two pillars of the identity of Nueva Esparta: the emblematic folk group Sol y Sereno and the remembered popular culture figure Rafael "Fucho" Suárez, a figure of Venezuelan music and co-founder of the Quinteto Contrapunto.
Through the use of paintbrushes and spray paint, the creators will capture the history, worldview, and musical legacy of these icons directly in the urban environment.
The project stands out for its participatory approach. "It's a festival that listens in order to bring to the walls the work that truly represents the community. We don't come with a prefabricated proposal; it's built on-site by getting to know the people, their customs, and their ancestral traditions," explained Reinaldo Mijares, part of the organizing team for the event.
Integral art and urban intervention
The artistic display coincides with the implementation of the urban rehabilitation plan "Mariño Renace", an initiative aimed at dignifying the environment of the commune through public lighting work, comprehensive restoration of facades, conditioning of coexistence spaces, asphalting and optimization of basic services.
“We are very pleased with this launch ahead of another anniversary of Our Lady of the Valley of Guaiquerí. We are taking advantage of this beautiful Mural City project to simultaneously support the revitalization of the area and the improvement of public services,” said Eneas González, mayor of the Mariño municipality.
The festival's program will not be limited to graphic intervention; it will offer around 30 cultural activities open to residents and visitors: Workshops on visual arts, heritage conservation and regional identity; musical and dance presentations focused on the native expressions of the Guaiquerí territory; exhibitions and talks aimed at the exchange of local knowledge.
With this articulation between public art and social urbanism, El Poblado reaffirms its role as the historical epicenter of Porlamar, projecting itself as a living gallery that combines the physical transformation of the environment with the exaltation of the collective memory of Nueva Esparta.
