Guayaquil marks 491st anniversary with nationwide festivities and presidential projects
Ecuador's largest city celebrated the 491st anniversary of its foundation with a series of public events. More than 5,000 students from 86 schools took part in a downtown parade showcasing music, dance and traditional costumes, organized by the Ministry of Education.
President Daniel Noboa addressed the commemorative ceremony, highlighting past government investments and announcing two new projects: the construction of the "Quinto Puente" – a $1 billion bridge intended to improve mobility in Guayas – and a new park in Monte Sinaí. He also cited recent achievements such as credits for entrepreneurs, scholarships and health‑care upgrades.
The National Assembly held a solemn session to honor Guayaquil’s historical role, presenting recognitions to 21 local personalities and institutions for their contributions to the city’s development. Cultural highlights included the "Baila Malecón" concert on the riverfront, which attracted about 1,000 attendees, and a free "Anime Weekend" featuring anime voice actors and cosplay contests.
These coordinated activities underscored Guayaquil’s cultural identity while signalling continued government investment in the region.