Holy Week, otherwise known as Semana Santa, is fast approaching. With many Colombians having time off work during this period, plans to celebrate Holy Week are being made around Colombia. Holy Week celebrations in Colombia traditionally run from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday and this year it falls on the dates Sunday 17th April to […]
Tag: Colombian Culture
Today (April 4th, 2011) is an important day here in Colombia as it serves as the International Day for Mine Awareness. It’s a date promoted by the Colombian government and the UN to raise awareness about the issue of mines in Colombia, which have affected many people throughout the country’s history. –> Colombia Dolar (TRM) […]
Visiting almost anywhere in Colombia, whether you seek it out in a bar to dance to or hear it blasting from shop fronts into the streets, you won’t escape the traditional folk music of Vallenato. Locals love it almost as much as salsa and although to the foreign ear it may not sound like the […]
Of all the misconceptions about Colombia, there is one that seems as though it will always remain pervasive and almost impossible to change; a dark cloud looming over the country that may never be cleared. For decades, Colombians have sought to teach us English-speakers the truth about their country, but to little avail and the […]
We’ve written before about Colombian culture and the country’s artistic exports. It’s a country full of artistic inspiration, talented writers, painters, and the amount of museums, galleries and culture festivals here in Colombia is testament to that. But it’s not all about celebrating Colombia’s past achievements in the world of art – today (Monday 21st March 2011), the highly-coveted Alfaguara Literary […]
Bogotá is one of South America’s biggest cities and one of its most bustling and thriving capitals. Many people come to the city merely because it’s the easiest place to fly into, but what they find is a fascinating place; a city full of life, culture and history that lures people with a slow-burning, intoxicating […]
Colombians have a great habit of holding on to the iconic inventions that decorate their past. The Willy is one of them, but perhaps even more symbolic of Colombian culture is the Chiva (which translates as ‘little goat’). Chivas are modified buses with benches for seats, there’s a ladder to the roof (used for carrying […]
Colombia’s main contribution to the art world has undoubtedly been the paintings and sculptures of Medellín born Fernando Botero. Botero is a popular figure in modern art and, owing to his distinct style, he boasts critical acclaim worldwide as well as recognition and appreciation from those with little interest in art. –> Colombia Dolar (TRM) […]
We’ve all heard of the Carnival in Rio (in fact, it happened just recently), but fewer people know of the Carnival that takes place every year in Barranquilla, Colombia. This Saturday (5th March), Barranquilla’s streets will cease their regular activities and instead be transformed into an explosion of color, dancing and parades. It’s the biggest […]