Colombia’s “Barranquilla’s Carnival” in Kingston

JUNE 4 TO 8, 2008

BETWEEN JUNE 4 to 8, the embassy of Colombia hosted one of the most popular, colourful and traditional
expressions of Colombia, titled BARRANQUILLA’s CARNIVAL in Kingston. The purpose was to expose
Jamaicans and visitors, to the vastness and cultural richness of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, a paradise
where the best of the African, Indigenous and Spanish roots got mixed over the centuries.
The BARRANQUILLA’s CARNIVAL was proclaimed by UNESCO, in November 2003, as one of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” and is considered by many as the second biggest Carnival in Latin America after the one of Rio de Janeiro. (www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org)

Under the auspices of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the kind support of Bashco Ltd (Jamaica), the Embassy hosted 15 performers including musicians, drummers, choreographers and folk dancers, all of them belonging to the “Corporación Cultural de Barranquilla” (Barranquilla’s Cultural Corporation; www.danzasmonicalindo.com, www.cocuba.50megs.com).

The performances demonstrated the wonderful African past and present of the north of Colombia.
Performances took place in different Preparatory and High Schools, and at the Edna Manley College (School of
Dance). A closing ceremony with special guests from the Jamaican Government, the Diplomatic Corps and members of the academic and private sector, was slated.