Celebration

My hometown, Barranquilla, the capital of Atlántico, Colombia, hosts the second most important carnival in Latin America. This carnival, which is held every year in February or March for four days, is a celebration of the regions culture, dance, folklore, costumes, and customs.

The festivities, which lasts for the entire month, begin in January with pre-carnival. During this time, many different events take place. The first event is when the Organization of the Barranquilla Carnival chooses the Queen of the Carnival and a King Momo for the city. The next event is the Cumbia Dance Night. After that is the LGBTI Carnival, followed by the Children’s Carnival. The last event is the Crowning of the Carnival Queen and King. There are also other pre-carnival events such as Orchestra Night, the Litany Festival, and Tambo Night.

During the four days of carnival a variety of artistic demonstrations, concerts, and parades are held. The first day is called “The Battle of Flowers”. On this day, there is a parade with dance troupes, actors, and important Colombian artists wearing outstanding costumes. They walk and dance for eight kilometers along Via (Street) 40. There are also many massive floats with art installations built by Colombian artisans.

On the second day of carnival, there is a glamorous and stylized parade, called “The Great Fantasy Parade”. Hundreds of dance troupes take part in this parade. All of the dancers wear colourful costumes covered in glitter, sequins and feathers. Many dancers wear flamboyant headdresses or masks of different animals. They dance to a variety of music such as reggae-ton, champeta, salsa, and merengue.

On the third day, “The Great Tradition Parade” takes place. It is a tribute the regions history. Only traditional folk groups, cumbia groups, and dancing groups participate in this parade. There are no floats or loud speakers. The music and dance of these groups is influenced by African, European and Indigenous culture.

The fourth and last day of Carnival celebrates “The Death of Joselito”, a fictional character. On this day the women mourn Joselito, who has been celebrating non-stop for four days. People dress in black, indicating that they are in mourning. Parades are held through the popular neighborhoods of Barranquilla and by sunset the Carnival comes to an end.

UNESCO has declared the Barranquilla Carnival on the Colombian Caribbean coast a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”. In addition to Colombians, visitors from all over the world travel to Colombia in February and March to watch and participate in this remarkable festival.