Cuenca news today, written for expats

Cuenca's Fiesta de la Musica runs June 18 through 27, with concerts across cultural spaces, bars, restaurants, cafes and open-air venues. It starts with free film-music concerts by the University of Cuenca Symphony Orchestra at Teatro Carlos Cueva Tamariz on June 18 and 19 at 19:00.

A Cuenca court has ordered the city's bus chamber not to suspend, paralyze, restrict or reduce urban bus frequencies at night. The order comes during the dispute over fares, diesel costs and a municipal subsidy, with users already feeling the pinch after evening reductions began earlier this month.

A new vehicle connection is now open in the Feria Libre sector, meant to reduce congestion around one of Cuenca's busiest market areas. The city says Wednesday traffic can reach about 45,000 vehicles there, but pedestrians are already raising concerns about missing signage and crossing safety.

Ecuador's driving-license grace period ends June 30, 2026. The ANT says people with renewal appointments after that date may use special Saturday service on June 20 and 27 from 08:00 to 16:00, as long as they go to the same agency with their printed appointment and required documents.

Mediateca Alianza Francesa de Cuenca is offering a four-session art history course in July that uses gastronomy as the thread, from ancient Egypt and Ming China to Dutch banquet tables and Warhol’s Factory. The Saturday sessions run July 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 10:00 to 12:00, with a B1 French level recommended.

The Brass Band OSC, a chamber ensemble from the Orquesta Sinfonica de Cuenca, performs today at 15:00 in the hall of Museo Pumapungo. Admission is free, and the program moves through contemporary fanfare, jazz, popular music, Ecuadorian music, tango and cinematic sounds.