Festival Folclorico Colombiano

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In 1959, the first Festival Folclorico Colombiano was organized and held in Ibagué, Tolima. The festival is always held in Ibagué in June. This year it celebrated its 50th anniversary.


The festival highlights folkloric music, dance, and food from almost every department in Colombia. In adddition, there is a beauty contest.


During the week long celebration, there is the Festival de Festivales where a number of folkloric groups display their talents the field of music and dance. The groups invited to present in this mini-festival are typically the most well-known and successful groups in Colombia.


Another important feature of the festival is the Desfile de San Juan (Saint John Parade). In the parade there are floats, bands, beauty queens, and the dancing folkloric groups. In addition, there are people dressed as mythical and legendary characters in Colombian history.

There is also a Tamal Day (Día del Tamal) where people can try Tamales Tolimenses and any number of native Colombian foods --- YUM!!

If you are lucky enough to be in Colombia in June, perhaps a great place to visit to get a flavor of the folklore of the whole country is Ibagué, Tolima.

Photo by:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chilangoco/623970978/sizes/l/

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