The Ibagiw Festival is set to once again transform Baguio City into a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation, and cultural preservation. As a UNESCO Creative City, Baguio has long been celebrated for its rich artistic heritage, but this year’s festival takes it a step further with the theme: “Inquisitive. Disruptive. Creative.” This theme encapsulates the festival’s bold vision of empowering a new generation of creatives while honoring the city’s deeply-rooted traditions.
At the heart of the festival is a commitment to nurturing creativity across generations. By inspiring artists to embrace modern technologies and innovate within their craft, Ibagiw sets the stage for artistic evolution. However, it does so while ensuring that the integrity of Baguio’s cultural heritage remains intact. The festival’s focus on being inquisitive, disruptive, and creative challenges the local creative community to explore new perspectives while grounding their work in the traditions that have shaped their city.
A key element of this year’s festival is the inclusion of children in its programs. By engaging young minds, the festival fosters curiosity and creativity from an early age, laying the foundation for future generations to contribute to Baguio’s thriving creative economy. This is part of a broader mission to ensure that the creative spirit of Baguio continues to evolve sustainably, benefiting both local artisans and the broader cultural community.
Ibagiw isn’t just about artistic expression, it is about empowerment. By providing local artists, artisans, and craftsmen with the platform and resources they need to thrive, the festival strengthens the creative community’s economic contributions to Baguio. As the city continues to grow as a creative destination, the festival plays a crucial role in ensuring that local talent is recognized, celebrated, and economically sustained.
More than just a showcase of art, the Ibagiw Creative Festival symbolizes Baguio’s resilience. As global trends continue to shift, the festival demonstrates how local traditions can adapt and thrive in modern contexts. By fostering creativity and innovation while remaining deeply connected to the city’s heritage, Ibagiw serves as a model for sustainable cultural development, not just for Baguio but for other creative cities around the world.
As the festival gears up for another exciting season, details about the activities and schedule will be released soon. For inquiries, reach out via email at creativebaguiocitycouncil@gmail.com. This year’s Ibagiw promises to be a transformative experience for both the local and global creative communities, proving once again that Baguio is a city where tradition and innovation can coexist in harmony.
