PORTALES, N.M. - March 10, 2026 - Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) and the ENMU Spanish Club are proud to announce the return of Festival Románico, a premier cultural and recruitment event dedicated to celebrating the Hispanic heritage and Spanish language of the Southwest. The festival will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Campus Union Building (CUB) Ballroom.

Festival Románico serves as a vibrant bridge between higher education and regional secondary schools, inviting high school students from across West Texas and Eastern New Mexico to compete, perform, and explore the academic opportunities available at ENMU.

"Festival Románico celebrates Hispanic students in New Mexico and West Texas, honoring their identity, language, and culture. The event has occurred every year since 1984," Dr. Verónica García Moreno, festival director, said. "Guests and participants are welcome to tour our campus, connect with educators, and mingle with fellow Hispanic students. If you have a passion for Hispanic culture, make sure to attend the festival at ENMU-Portales on Thursday, March 26. As our motto states, "¡El Festival Románico es nuestro Festival!"

The day-long celebration includes a diverse array of categories where students can showcase their skills, including:

• Visual Arts and Crafts: Exhibitions of student-created artwork.
• Performance Arts: Talent shows, dance competitions, and dramatic acting sketches.
• Literary Excellence: Declamatory poetry and essay competitions.
• Community Impact: Presentations on local community projects.

Event Schedule - March 26, 2026:

• 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Artwork Entry (CUB)
• 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Opening Speech (CUB Ballroom)
• 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Dramatic Art and Visual Arts Presentations
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Lunch (Aztec Room, CUB)
• 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Declamatory (Poetry) Competition
• 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Talent Show Competition (Concurso de talentos)
• 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Awards Ceremony
• 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Student Dance and Event Close

Members of the press and the community are invited to attend and witness the creativity and academic ambition of the region's youth. For more information regarding the event, visit the official Festival Románico webpage.

About Eastern New Mexico University: ENMU is a state institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The University serves students from New Mexico, the Southwest, and beyond, emphasizing liberal arts, professional education, and cultural diversity.

For more information regarding the event, contact:
Dr. Verónica García Moreno, Professor of Spanish
Email: [email protected]