Bogota’s Teatro Colón Reopens

 

The Teatro de Cristóbal Colón, in Bogota’s La Candelaria neighborhood, is finally reopening it’s (frankly massive) doors this week after being closed since 2008 for extensive renovations. The theatre, the oldest standing opera house in South America, was built in 1885 by the Italian architect Pietro Cantini, and was opened in 1892, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ ‘discovery’ of America. It is a stunning Neoclassical structure and an official National Monument, and will a welcome “new” addition to the cultural calender in Bogota, and yet another wonderful place to visit for tourists to Colombia’s capital.

 

 

The first performance in the newly opened theatre will take place on Thursday 24th July, and will be a special performance from London Royal Ballet’s Fernando Montaño, just for disadvantaged children from COTA (Children of the Andes). The theatre’s official new season will then begin with 3 performances from Montaño and members of the Royal Ballet over the following three days: 25, 26, and 27 July.

 

 

However, the theatre is aiming to diversify and modernize it’s calender in order to appeal to a broader range of people. There will be special children’s programmes taking place on Sundays, with Mondays given over to traditional Colombia music. Not only that, but Colombian theatre groups will have use of the stage, as will hip-hop DJs! The Ministry of Culture are aiming to put the Teatro Colón firmly back on the city’s cultural map, and offer people from all backgrounds and with a range of interests the chance to enjoy the wonderful setting and the new renovations.

 

 

Chris