When I wrote this column we were still four days away from the start of one of the best carnivals in the world. If you don’t believe me but are curious, try asking anyone who was lucky enough to be here during this celebration.
The Barranquilla Carnival kicked off last Saturday, February 14, with the Battle of Flowers (tr: Batalla de Flores) parade on Vía 40 and culminates today on Tuesday, February 17, with the death of Joselito in several neighborhoods throughout the city.
Those of us who have lived in La Arenosa* know that the carnival begins a year earlier with all the logistics behind the parades, folk groups, guest artists, sponsors, and, of course, the election of the central queen.
This year the 90th queen is Michelle Char Fernández, a 23-year-old interior designer who has been involved in folklore and dance since childhood, actively participating in various dance troupes and groups in the city.
Miche, as everyone affectionately calls her, has won the hearts of all the residents with her joy, spontaneity, charisma, and simplicity since her election on August 15, 2024. She is very active on social media, and many wonder when her battery runs out, because she is always smiling and full of positive energy.
And let’s be honest, whenever the queen is elected, the controversy among all the pageants, carnival, and dance experts begins. There is no shortage of “she can’t dance”, “she doesn’t speak well”, “they always choose rich girls”, and blah, blah, blah.
However, what really matters is the fact that this celebration is an opportunity for the city to forget, for four days, whether you are rich or poor, whether you are from the north or the south, whether you are young or old, or whether you are cheerful or have an RBF.
Because carnival, more than just enjoyment, is a feeling that unites us as Barranquilleros to keep a cultural tradition alive. Not to mention that it’s a festival that generates temporary and informal jobs, boosts the economy, and promotes tourism.
If you want to enjoy carnival, it depends on your budget, because there are plenty of plans, such as celebrating in the bordillos (tr: curbs), mega-concerts, dances, booths, open-air dances, sancochos*, and recochas*. Also, remember that any picó* that is set on the street is an invitation to start the fun.
This year, around one million national and international visitors were expected to arrive in Barranquilla from Spain, Mexico, and the United States, among other countries.
And although the main attraction is enjoying the carnival events, most travelers stay in the city for a few days after the carnival to enjoy our Curramba La Bella* on a tour that combines tradition, nature, and gastronomy.
Mario Muvdi, president of Cotelco in Atlántico, the Colombian Hotel and Tourism Association, says that there were high expectations for 100% hotel occupancy in the city since early in the year.
The businessman indicates that this number of reservations was reached in several sectors of the city and expected to continue by the time this column is published. Additionally, he highlights that “this was even happening in the municipalities (…) It’s a good sign and, starting next week, we will surely be talking about what could be a full house”.
The District Mayor’s Office initiative is to allow Barranquilla residents and visitors to enjoy the carnival from their neighborhoods, exalting folklore and cultural identity from a closer perspective.
Mayor Alejandro Char Chaljub stated that this year’s carnival agenda had more than 800 events free and open to the public. This made up a little more than 50% of the total programming for our great festival, allowing free and democratic access to culture.
This program included more than 140 spaces for discussions, workshops, and training sessions that promoted reflection, the preservation of tradition, and the sustainability of carnival as an event that is constantly evolving.
Among the events that are free of charge, as we like, we had emblematic celebrations such as Noche del Río, Noche de Tambó, the King Momo’s parade, Carnaval de las Artes, Baila la Calle, Carnavalada, Encuentro de Comedias, Festival de Letanías, among others. So, you know what to do next time: find your crew and enjoy!
I sincerely hope that carnivals next year continue to be organized chaos, that the Queen resonates in the hearts of the inhabitants, that the only battle fought is that of the flowers, and that many people die of laughter thanks to the collective dancing and joking around.
May the city be clouded with cornstarch and may showers of foam fall to cool the heat of the people, because it’s only four days of carnival, but the memory remains tattooed on our joyful hearts.
Because those who live it are the ones who enjoy it… #sinrecato
(*) Sancocho: traditional type of soup in Colombia made with different kinds of meat with large pieces of plantain, potato, cassava and other vegetables.
(*) Recocha: similar to a blast, but more intense.
(*) Picó: big sound system decorated with vibrant colors mainly used to play music genres such as champeta, salsa and cumbia. It comes from the word ‘pickup’.
(*) La Arenosa, Curramba La Bella: are other names that refer to Barranquilla.Tr.: “Porque quien lo vive, es quien lo goza”: popular saying that was created in Barranquilla in 1993 by 3 members of the Fundación Carnaval de Barranquilla.
Traducción del español: Catalina Oviedo Brugés
Fotos: Aleidys Coll
