Irish and Spanish Voices Unite at the 14th ISLA Festival 2025 in Dublin

Every October, Dublin transforms into a vibrant hub of cultural exchange and literary brilliance, and this year is no exception. From 15th to 17th October 2025, the Instituto Cervantes Dublin will host the 14th edition of the ISLA Festival (Irish, Spanish, Latin American), celebrating the power of storytelling, identity, and connection across borders.

This three-day celebration of literature and culture unites distinguished authors from Ireland, Spain, and Latin America, offering Dublin audiences a chance to experience the unique beauty of multiple languages, perspectives, and traditions. The ISLA Festival 2025 is more than just a literary gathering; it’s a multicultural conversation about the world we share and the voices shaping its future.

A Festival That Bridges Cultures

Organised by the Instituto Cervantes Dublin, the ISLA Festival has become one of Ireland’s most anticipated cultural events, bridging Irish and Spanish literary traditions while welcoming participants from across Latin America. Each year, it is supported by a strong network of embassies that make this cross-cultural dialogue possible. The Embassies of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain in Ireland proudly support the 2025 edition, alongside partners such as Literature Ireland, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, RTÉ STA, and International Books.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to promoting Spanish literature, Irish creativity, and the universal language of art. As Francisco Oda, Director of Instituto Cervantes Dublin, explains, “This year, ISLA will reflect on urgent themes such as sustainability, migration, and the evolution of the welfare state.” These topics lie at the heart of many of today’s most important cultural and social conversations.

The 14th edition brings together distinguished authors from seven countries, each contributing a unique perspective on humanity, change, and creativity. The festival will also explore themes such as feminism, identity, and belonging, offering audiences new ways to see the world through literature.

Highlights from the 2025 Programme

15 October – Opening Night: Reflections and Conversations

The festival opens at 6 p.m. with welcoming remarks from Francisco Oda, followed by a special conversation with one of Spain’s most celebrated novelists, Eduardo Mendoza. Known for his sharp wit and psychological depth, Mendoza will join Carmen Sanjulián for an in-depth discussion about his literary journey and the creative process behind his iconic works.

Later that evening, Reyna Grande (Mexico/USA), María José Caro (Peru), and Audrey Magee (Ireland) will share insights from their latest novels in a panel titled “Scars: Past & Present”. Moderated by Deirdre Kelly, the discussion will examine how memory, childhood, and human relationships continue to influence storytelling across cultures.

16 October – Food, Identity, and Expression

Day two explores creativity in all its forms. The session “Voices That Explore Reality” brings together Emma Sepúlveda (Chile), Marta Sanz (Spain), and Caoilinn Hughes (Ireland), who will discuss how body, pain, and identity influence their work. Their bold and uncompromising narratives shed light on what it means to write truthfully in an evolving world.

At 7:30 p.m., literature meets gastronomy in “Tango, Flavour & Culture”, an event celebrating food as a form of cultural expression. Facundo Rodulfo and Pam Neumann, the authors of Tango (Blasta Books) and owners of Tango Street Food, will lead audiences on a sensory journey through Latin American cuisine, joined by Blanca Valencia, an expert in gastronomy.

The evening ends with a food and wine tasting, courtesy of the Embassy of Argentina, a perfect close to a day of storytelling through taste and tradition.

17 October – Poetry, Immigration, and Tribute

The final day of ISLA Festival 2025 invites guests to reflect on memory, migration, and legacy. At 5 p.m., acclaimed Colombian poet Andrea Cote will sit down with Sorcha Pollak from The Irish Times to discuss her collection Querida Beth, which earned the prestigious XXIV Casa de América Poetry Prize. Cote’s poetry, filled with tenderness and longing, speaks powerfully to the immigrant experience and the search for belonging.

As the festival draws to a close, audiences will be treated to a special tribute to Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, featuring a screening of Pantaleón y las visitadoras, directed by Peruvian filmmaker Francisco J. Lombardi. This cinematic adaptation captures the humour and complexity of Vargas Llosa’s celebrated novel, offering a fitting finale to three days of cultural immersion.

The evening will end with refreshments hosted by the Embassies of Peru and Colombia, symbolising friendship and shared appreciation for the arts.

Supported by a Global Community

The ISLA Festival 2025 thrives through international collaboration. This year’s event is supported by the Embassies of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain in Ireland, along with Literature Ireland, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, RTÉ STA, and International Books. Together, they help create a space where diverse voices can meet, listen, and inspire one another.

About Instituto Cervantes Dublin

Founded in 1991, the Instituto Cervantes is a global institution dedicated to promoting Spanish language and culture. With centres in over 100 cities across 54 countries, it continues to serve as a bridge between cultures. Since 1995, the Dublin branch has hosted countless events celebrating literature, cinema, music, art, and gastronomy, connecting Ireland to the vast and colourful world of Hispanic creativity.

A Celebration of Connection and Creativity

The ISLA Festival 2025 is not just about books, it’s about voices. It’s about understanding how language, art, and memory can transcend borders. Whether you are drawn to Spanish literature, Irish writers, or global storytelling, ISLA offers an unforgettable experience of dialogue and discovery.

With its mix of readings, conversations, films, and tastings, this year’s festival reaffirms Dublin’s place as a true crossroads of cultures, and reminds us that literature remains one of the world’s most powerful bridges between people.