A Gathering to Listen, Connect, and Regenerate: Bioregional Planetary Festival 2026
On November 8, the Central Park of Vilcabamba will become an open space for encounter.
RIki Cevallos
10/26/20262 min read
The Bioregional Planetary Festival 2026 aims to bring together those working for collective well-being and the care of nature. Guided by the principles of listening, connecting, celebrating, and regenerating, the day will integrate cultural expressions, ancestral knowledge, and local projects in one place.
Honoring the Land and Living Memory
The day begins at 10:00 AM with a ceremony of connection and gratitude to nature, led by Taita Illapa (Santiago Quishpe). Starting at 11:00 AM, the focus shifts to honoring the valley's memory. Members of the Geriatric Center will share their dances, and traditional verses will be performed by elders from the community. This space includes formal recognition of older residents for their contribution to Vilcabamba's living cultural heritage.
Music continues with the Sikuris de Vilcabamba and the youth group Yucanchi. In the afternoon, poet Paolo Realpe will share his work. The musical program closes with Mandango Estéreo at 5:00 PM, followed by Alma y Tambor at 6:00 PM, presenting a mix of rock, original songs, and Colombian drums.
Spaces for Exchange and Collective Creation
Throughout the day, the park will host the Regenerative Market and the Regenerative Projects Fair, spaces designed for local initiatives to share their progress and needs. There will be a Community Health and Wellness tent for conversations with local holistic healers. For children aged 3 to 8, playful and ecological activities are planned, along with a capoeira circle and physical challenges led by Kinético.
A highlight is the Community Art Activation: Wild Flora and Fauna, sponsored by the Huella Silvestre project. From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, attendees of all ages can paint small flags inspired by local biodiversity. On the back, they will complete the phrase indicating what they love and want to see grow in Vilcabamba. These flags will form a collective artwork that decorates the park, giving visible form to the community's aspirations.
Culinary Knowledge and Community Action
At 3:00 PM, the winners of the gastronomic contest Longevous Recipes: Recipes with History will be announced. A panel of experts will evaluate and award three traditional recipes from Ecuadorian and Loja cuisine, highlighting these culinary traditions and their importance to local identity.
At 4:30 PM, we will present the results of the Community Legacy initiative. This project, led by the Bioregion and Germinación Colectiva together with volunteers, focused on preventing forest fires in San Pedro and Capamaco, areas affected by fires in 2024. A video will showcase the actions taken, serving as a space to recognize collective effort and strengthen the prevention network for the future.
An Invitation to Participate
The festival's goal is for the community to actively participate in processes that benefit the territory, exchange knowledge, and support local production. The event lasts one day, but the connections it activates can endure.
Admission is free and open to the entire community.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: Central Park of Vilcabamba, Loja
More information: www.BioregionAltoCatamayo.org/festival2026