Feria de las Flores, Medellín

Considering Colombia is one of the biggest providers of flowers in the world’s import/export market, and considering Colombia’s 3rd biggest city calls itself ‘The City of Eternal Spring’, it should come as no surprise that one of the biggest flower festivals in the world takes place in the capital of this very city – Medellín.

Medellín’s ‘Feria de las Flores‘ takes place annually during the first weeks of August and lasts for 10 days (this year’s will take place from 29th July – 7th August). Whether or not you think flowers are your thing, the sheer scale of the procession and the atmosphere that permeates through the city ensure that visitors to the festival will enjoy an unforgettable experience. It’s not just flowers either; there’s horse parades, classic car parades, orchestras, dancing and birds.

The festival began in 1957 when 40 peasants from a neighbouring village performed a parade celebrating the silleteros that worked in the region. A silletero is a flower carrier but a very particular type of flower carrier. The silletero wouldn’t just transport flowers on their backs, but their families and their belongings too.

Of course today there’s not so much hard labour involved in the festival. Instead, it’s a profusion of bursting colors, blooming flowers and a party atmosphere amongst fellow travelers and the infamous Paisa people of Colombia.

Medellín is easy to reach from both Cartagena and Bogotá by both bus and air and is one of the most progressive and modern cities in Colombia. The city itself is a must-visit when discovering the new face of Colombia, and what better time to visit than during the city’s biggest party week.

To see some footage of the festival, you can watch this music video.

Ryan