From 10 to 26 October 2025, the city of Guanajuato will once again become the cultural heart of Latin America´s cultural epicentre as it hosts the 53rd edition of the Festival Internacional Cervantino (FIC). On this occasion, the United Kingdom will participate as the Guest Country of Honour, marking 200 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the UK.
The UK’s participation is guided by a vision of purposeful creativity: a reflective, inclusive and committed approach that positions the arts and culture as powerful drivers of change. Through its thriving creative industries, the UK – together with the British Council – invites audiences to engage with some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including the imperative to strengthen international cooperation, promote inclusion, and embed sustainable cultural practices.
This vision aims to inspire a cultural sector that is more conscious, resilient and future-oriented —one where creativity builds trust, mutual understanding and lasting collaboration between nations and communities.
Learn about the official programme
The British Council’s contribution to Cervantino 2025
With an approach that connects art, sustainability and inclusion, the British Council presents at Cervantino a cultural programme designed to encourage critical thinking, intercultural exchange and collaborative action. Its participation is structured around two complementary components:
- Artistic Programme
The UK will showcase a multidisciplinary line-up of artists and collectives that reflect the vitality and diversity of its cultural ecosystem. From classical music and experimental jazz to theatre, dance and sound art, this programme seeks to create meaningful connections with Mexican audiences and highlight art as a vehicle for intercultural dialogue and understanding.
- Academic Programme
In collaboration with Julie’s Bicycle, the British Council is curating a space for dialogue around culture and climate action. Through keynote talks, workshops and creative labs, the programme will explore topics such as sustainability in cultural practices, climate and social justice, the evolving role of festivals in today’s world, and emerging models of community-led creative leadership.
A long-standing collaboration
Since 2015, the British Council and the Festival Internacional Cervantino have fostered a strong and evolving partnership rooted in cultural exchange, inclusion and sustainability. Over the past decade, this relationship has been expressed through initiatives that connect the arts with social and environmental action—from Proyecto Ruelas, which brought theatre to communities affected by violence, to the Cultura Circular initiative, which trained cultural organisers in sustainable practices.
In 2025, this collaboration reaches a new milestone as the UK takes on the role of Guest Country of Honour. It is a unique opportunity to deepen bilateral ties through a programme that blends artistic excellence with critical reflection, leaving a meaningful legacy across the cultural sectors of both nations.
