CULTURAL EVENTS
Cartagena de Indias.
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WHY
COLOMBIA?
The Iberoamerican Theater Festival in Bogota, the Hay Festival and the
Classical Music Festival of Cartagena de Indias have become an
important stage for Worldly renowned art personalities.
The diversity is also present in popular festivals such as the
Barranquilla Carnival, Black and Whites Carnival in Pasto
(Nariño); and the Flower Fair in Medellin (Antioquia).
In December, cities and towns across Colombia
celebrate year end festivities in full swing. Christmas
illuminations in Medellin, Bogota, Villa de Leyva
(Boyaca) and Quimbaya (Quindio) are some of
the cities that take part.
PASTO
Black and Whites Carnival
This carnival was declared in 2001 a National
Cultural Heritage and in 2009 a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. This celebration is held during the first week
of January in the city of Pasto located in southwestern
Colombia. It comprises a cultural exhibit of the fusion between
several cultures that have lived there for centuries; its indigenous
rituals mixed with expressions from Spanish and African cultures.
Carnival of Blacks and Whites
Pasto
Manizales Fair
Photo: Vice ministry of Tourism
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MANIZALES
Manizales Fair
Designated a National Cultural Heritage
This Fair last for seven days celebrating the Colombian coffee
culture. It is held during the bullfighting season and several
events happen in parallel like a concert at the fair where
international artists participate.
The Manizales fair is known domestically and internationally for its
International Coffee Pageant – the ideal opportunity for the entire world to know
this unique culture.
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CARTAGENA DE INDIAS
Cartagena de Indias International Music Festival
This event is recognized for the artistic quality of its leading
exponents. This festival was launched in 2007 to strengthen the
musical development of Colombia. For nine days, several locations
within the walled city of Cartagena de Indias and its boroughs
welcome international music lovers.
Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival
Launched in 1960, this event is the longest-running film festival in Latin America.
An international panel selects the winners of the best films in Latin America with a
statuette of the Native Catalina.
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BARRANQUILLA
Barranquilla Carnival
In 2008, this carnival was appointed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece
of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
During four days, the city becomes a great cultural stage where
several parades led by more than 500 folk groups dazzle
visitors with its exhibition of regional dances and costumes. In
parallel, other festivals and events are joined by
international artists exemplifying the cultural richness of this
100-year-old carnival.
Hay Festival
For four days, the greatest exponents of
literature, film, journalism, music and art,
from the United States, Latin America and
Europe gather to discuss and interact
with the public.
Hay Festival
Cartagena de Indias
Barranquilla Carnival
Barranquilla
Iberoamerican Theater Festival
Bogota
•
BOGOTA
Iberoamerican Theater Festival
The Iberoamerican Theater Festival in Bogota hosts some of the
most important theater companies in the world from 5 continents every
two years. With more than 800 screenings and 250 theater groups
between national and international, the Festival presents a wide range of
street theater performed in public squares and avenues to large theatrical
stages in special venues with out of the ordinary productions.
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SANTA MARTA
Festival of the Sea
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CALI
World Salsa Festival
If you want to experience the best of Salsa dancing and its Colombian
dancers, this is a must-see attraction where all of the dance schools in Cali
participate accompanied by schools from other cities totaling more than 5,000
dancers. This World Championship of Salsa is not just a competition but also a
display of knowledge of this kind of music genre. Enjoy free concerts, dance
workshops and lectures given by experts from Cuba, the US, France, Mexico,
Panama, Peru, Venezuela and the Caribbean region.
Since 1959, Santa Marta celebrates the Festival of the Sea in July, which
coincides with the city’s independence month. During this festival, the
Marine National Games are held which include several watersports
such as ski, swimming, and athletics complemented by a boat race.
This city is said to have the most beautiful bay in the American
Continent and for 5 days it becomes the stomping ground for
watersports and nautical lovers with cultural, musical, sun beach,
Petronio Alvarez Festival
dance and fun activities for everyone.
It has become the largest and the most representative Afro-Colombian party on the
Pacific Coast. The festival represents the sensuality of dancing and the ancestral songs that
have revived through musical fusions.
Cali Fair
Festival of the Sea
Santa Marta
Salsa Music and cali’s culture come to life during five days.
The City welcomes national and international visitors to
the capital of Valle del Cauca to enjoy this place as
well as the musical and cultural scene.
The city showcases local dancers called
Caleños, international champions of salsa,
and big concert stages with renowned
Salsa artists.
Petronio Alvarez Festival
Cali
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Every year, between June and July, the people of Calarca decorate their streets,
houses and balconies with elements that represent their culture. In this event, locals pay a
tribute to the Jeep Willys for its performance in the Colombian coffee mountains that for
many years it has transported people, coffee, products and objects across the country.
Coffee Cultural Landscape
Photo: Vice ministry of Tourism
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CALARCA
Valledupar
Photo: Vice ministry of Tourism
VALLEDUPAR
Vallenato Legend Festival
This festival is celebrated in Valledupar, the capital city of Cesar located in the
Colombian Caribbean. The entire city becomes a public festival with parades, shows
and great music. Today the festival has become popular across the country and
internationally due to the participation of the Vallenato musicians from Aruba, Cuba, the US,
France, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Venezuela and Caribbean countries. Vallenato music was
recently declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Flower Fair
Medellin
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MEDELLIN
Flower Fair
Every August, Medellin’s balconies, terraces and gardens dress in flowers to welcome domestic and international
visitors. This beautiful display of flowers indicates the beginning of the Flower Fair where more than 140 events
take place like the silleteros parade where farmers from the nearby district of Santa Elena showcase their more
than 80 different kinds of flowers awarded in 4 different categories through the main avenues in Medellin.
WEATHER
COLOMBIA
Colombia is considered a country with a tropical climate
365 days a year without seasons, only experiencing dry and
rainy seasons throughout different regions.
SOCIAL INDICATORS
COLD LAND
TEMPERATE LAND
POPULATION
48.2 million people
(2015-DANE)
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE
INTERNATIONAL
CALLING CODE
Spanish
+57
CURRENCY
Colombian Peso
(COP)
CULTURAL
AND NATURAL
HERITAGE OF
HUMANITY
8
NATIONAL
MONUMENTS
1,085 throughout the
national territory
INTANGIBLE
CULTURAL
HERITAGE
HOT LAND
+2,000 MASL
Under 16 °C
800 AND 2,000 MASL
16 and 24 °C
800 MASL
24 and 36 °C
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