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Pan American experiences
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COLOMBIA -- BARRANQUILLA -----------------------284[FEATURE ARTICLE] | |||
Barranquilla at Carnival: experience the party that beats to the rhythm of the Caribbean.By Christopher Engholm for Ruta Pantera on 8/11/2025 3:28:22 PM |
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| There is a time when the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, is filled with a vibrant and transformative energy. The streets come alive with rhythms and colors. This is because, at the end of February or the beginning of March, the Barranquilla Carnival ignites the flame of overflowing joy and fills the surroundings with celebration. This carnival is not just a celebration; it represents a country's cultural identity, evident through its people, costumes, music, and dances, such as mapalé and cumbia. All of this makes this carnival a celebration that reflects the strong sense of belonging of an entire country. | ||||
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Carnival has been recognized by UNESCO since 2003 as Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, with a history that demonstrates the value of tradition. Carnival showcases the blend of African, indigenous, and European roots, thus revealing the rich and diverse cultural identity of the Colombian Caribbean. More than 5 million people come together to enjoy this popular festival. In Barranquilla, where its inhabitants are more open to diversity, this festival takes place, a celebration steeped in music, dance, satire, and resistance. The first parade, the "Battle of Flowers," was born in 1888; at the beginning of the 20th century, the figure of King Momo was created; and in 1918, the first Carnival Queen was crowned. Every year, before Ash Wednesday, Barranquilla is filled with immense joy. Its residents and visitors create a contagious atmosphere of rejoicing. Before the start of Carnival, parades, readings of the Bando (Banquet), coronations, and parades take place. This is the preparation for the four most anticipated days of the year for Barranquilleros and tourists. The anticipation grows ever more among the people, generating a festive energy that fills every corner of the city. Saturday marks the official start with the Battle of Flowers. This spectacle features ornate floats, costumes, and music that reflects the city***s great traditions. On Sunday, the Tradition and Folklore Parade takes place. This pays tribute to heritage dances, highlighting cultural traditions. On Monday, the carnival is filled with creative troupes and orchestras, which is the prologue to the long-awaited Congo de Oro (Golden Congo), the most important trophy awarded during this carnival. Finally, the festivities conclude on Tuesday with the symbolic Burial of Joselito: a parade and funeral farce, blending humor and satire, which, amidst festive mourning and ironic litanies, marks the end of one of the events. | |||
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The spark of the Barranquilla Carnival is definitely the music. With the notable Cumbia, Mapalé, Garabato, Porro, Champeta, and Vallenato, combined with Salsa and Merengue, this Caribbean musical mix gets even the most stifled and timid dancers dancing. Plus, each year a new "Carnival Song" emerges, which becomes the official theme of that year***s Carnival.
All of the above reflects Barranquilla***s diversity and heritage: from the dances of the lively Monocucos (a costume created by high-society men to connect with low-income women) to the energetic Negritas Puloy (a representation of the founding tri-ethnic vision, denying current Afro inequality). Also present are the Negro Goleros, Coyongos, and Farotas, who show us that tradition lives on and culture remains unchanged, despite the passing of time. Every movement and every rhythm has been passed down and prevailed from generation to generation, and today, thanks to the commitment of community groups, families, and the Barranquilla Carnival Foundation S.A.S., these expressions are preserved and reaffirmed with each new edition.
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The impact of Carnival is so great that, in 2024, with more than 700 million attendees, approximately 850 billion pesos in revenue were generated. This event is not only a presentation of the tradition; it is also an important driver of Barranquilla's economy and tourism. Thanks to this great celebration, some 53,000 jobs were created. All of this positioned Barranquilla not only as "La Arenosa" (The Sand) but also as "The World Capital of Joy." | |||
| This Carnival has demonstrated its resilience in the face of adversity. During the pandemic, the festival was held virtually in 2021, demonstrating that no difficulty can prevent the traditional Carnival from taking place. Definitely, if you want to experience a unique experience, full of rhythms, colors, music, diversity, and tradition, you must allow yourself to be enveloped by the energy that only the Barranquilla Carnival has to offer. Come and discover why each costume is a visual poem, each drum a beat of the soul, and each dance step a celebration of freedom. | ||||
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| Interest area: Culture |
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| --www.rutapantera.com-- |
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