Spring Storytelling Festival Returns to the Airwaves

Cuban Radio will once again champion the power of voice and oral storytelling at the Spring Storytelling Festival Mayra Navarro In Memoriam, set to take place in locations throughout Havana’s Historic Center from Wednesday, March 19, to Sunday, March 23. The event will feature artists from Colombia, France, Peru, and Venezuela.

Storytellers from across the country will take to the airwaves on various radio stations, captivating listeners with tales from both renowned and emerging authors. This initiative is part of an ongoing mission to keep the art of storytelling alive, offering audiences a compelling journey into the world of imagination.

What began as an adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic—using radio as the festival’s primary platform—has now become a permanent extension of the event. Radio Enciclopedia will broadcast a selection of performances both on its traditional platform and across social media.

Organized by the NarrArte project, the Spring Storytelling Festival Mayra Navarro In Memoriam celebrates its 25th anniversary this year—a silver jubilee that underscores its growth, resilience, and artistic achievements.

The festival takes its name from the spring season, as it is held around March 20, coinciding with the spring equinox and the International Day of Oral Storytelling. This symbolic connection represents a time of renewal and highlights the festival’s commitment to promoting and preserving oral storytelling while cultivating an engaged audience.

Following the passing of its founder, the festival adopted the name Spring Storytelling Festival Mayra Navarro In Memoriam to honor the legacy of the revered storyteller. It also continues to serve as the platform for the Oral Storytelling Forum, spearheaded by NarrArte.

Since its inception, the event has been sponsored by the Theater Center, the Council of Performing Arts, and other esteemed cultural institutions in Havana.

At its core, Spring Storytelling Festival Mayra Navarro In Memoriam remains dedicated to a pure and immersive storytelling experience—where artists rely on their voices, words, and gestures to forge deep connections with the audience, staying true to the essence of the living art of storytelling.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez