All About The Barranquilla Carnival Of Colombo

Every year, the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, hosts the Barranquilla Carnival, a significant cultural event. One of the biggest and liveliest carnivals in all of South America, it is regarded as one of the most significant cultural events in Colombia. The festival is a significant celebration of music, dancing, cultural, and artistic events that completely take over the city. Parades, music, and street parties take over the streets in a manner similar to the Rio Carnival.

A Carnival With A UNESCO Tag

With over a century of tradition, Barranquilla's Carnival is Colombia's greatest folklore celebration and one of the world's largest carnivals. Colombians and visitors alike party in the streets for four days in a colourful celebration of Colombian culture. In 2003, UNESCO designated the Barranquilla Carnival as a Masterpiece of Humanity's Intangible and Oral Heritage, and the Colombian government designated the carnival as a Cultural Masterpiece. Its slogan is "Quien lo vive, quien lo goza."

The Origins

The carnival has its origins in the 19th century, when Colombia was colonised by immigrants from Spain and Africa. The roots of it are in Cartagena's colonial-era celebrations. Over the years, the event has developed into one of South America's largest and liveliest carnivals, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe. The carnival is one of the most important cultural and folkloric occasions in the country. Every year, the carnival honours the most representative figures of the Barranquilla identity and the Caribbean people of Colombia.

What To Expect

Like other comparable festivals around the world, the carnival is held four days before Ash Wednesday, which is observed as a holy day of prayer and fasting by many Western Christian communities. At this time, residents of Barranquilla, as well as visitors to the city, immerse themselves in the celebrations, drinking, and dancing. The Barranquilla Carnival takes place between February 18 and February 21 every year. The actual start of this celebration occurs a few days earlier, during which people can enjoy the joyous atmosphere that Barranquilla is known for. The pre-carnival celebrations begin in Plaza de la Paz, where the mayor of Barranquilla hands over the keys to the city to the person who is the Carnival Queen. Later, the carnival fairs and festivals begin with the night parade of La Guacherna.

The official Barranquilla Carnival celebration begins with traditional carnival events which include the Great Parade of Tradition and Folklore, the Battle of the Flowers, the Orchestra Festival, and the Great Troupes Parade. The Death of Joselito Carnival formally concludes the festivities.