Culture
Pre-Colombian Art
Literature
Visual Art
Teathre
Cinema
Music
Carnavls and Festivls
Traditional Recipes
Pre-Colombian Art
Among the archaeological discoveries in the Americas, Colombia's varied gold work stands out because of its rich and different techniques. From the start of our era until about 1000 AD, the Tumaco, Calima, Lamalagana, Cauca Sanagustín, Tierradentro, Nariño, Quimbaya and Tolima cultures worked with gold in the south-west of Colombia. When the Spaniards arrived in 1500, the Sinú, Urabá, Tairona and Muisca cultures did outstanding gold work in the north of the country. Gold and copper alloys were used in different styles to create human figures, animals, geometrical shapes and a combination of all these. Their offerings to gods and chiefs were made out of their sacred metal - gold.
The legacy of peoples and cultures that have inhabited Colombian territory for thousands of years include over 33,600 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold work that are now on display at the Colombian Central Bank's Gold Museum in Bogotá.
The Colombian Central Bank also has eight rooms with permanent exhibitions of pre-Columbian gold work produced in different regions of Colombia - Tairona gold from Santa Marta, Quimbaya gold from Armenia and Manizales, Nariño, Pasto and Ipiales gold, Sinú gold from Cartagena and Calima gold from Cali. In Leticia gold work is on display at the Ethnographical Museum.
For further information on pre-Columbian gold, conservation, research, exhibitions at the Gold Museum, pre-Hispanic approaches to the environment and other issues, please visit:
The Gold Museum - www.banrep.gov.co/museo
Luis Angel Arango Library - www.lablaa.org
Colombian Institute of Science - www.colciencias.gov.co
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Literature
Different periods and genres of Colombian literature reflect a vivid imagination, different styles, creative freedom and are expressions of specific social, political and cultural circumstances. This is evident in the work of Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel Prize winner for Literature. Further information on Gabriel García Márquez and his work may be found at:
Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Nobel Prize Winner 1982
Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Biography and works
Another important Colombian writer, poet, essayist and narrator Alvaro Mutis won the Spanish Miguel de Cervantes Award for Literature, the Colombian National Award for Literature, the Prince Asturias Prize and the Queen Sofia Prize for Latin American literature for his poetry.
Right from the outset of its literary history, Colombia has regarded itself as a nation of poets. Outstanding poets include Rafael Pombo, José Asunción Silva, Guillermo Valencia, Porfirio Barba Jacob, León de Greiff and Rafael Maya.
Further information on Colombian literature and writers may be obtained at:
Ministry of Culture - www.mincultura.gov.co
Central Bank Library - www.banrep.org
Luis Angel Arango Library - www.lablaa.org
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Visual Arts
A native of Antioquia, Fernando Botero is well known abroad for his monumental works in his own distinct style that express humor, irony and social reality. Further information on Fernando Botero and his work:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Botero
www.artchive.com
Alejandro Obregón is another famous Colombian artist who has produced intense paintings, engravings, drawings and sculptures. More information on his work is available on:
www.alejandro-obregon.org
www.museonacional.gov.co
Otros artistas excepcionales incluyen Edgar Negret, Eduardo Ramírez Villamizar, Guillermo Wiedermann, Enrique Grau, Antonio Roda y David Manssur.
Museos de Interés:
Other outstanding artists include Edgar Negret, Eduardo Ramírez Villamizar, Guillermo Wiedermann, Enrique Grau, Antonio Roda and David Manssur.
The Gold Museum
Museum of Modern Art, Bogotá
National Museum of Colombia
Museo de Antioquia
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Teathre
Colombian theatre is noted for its quality productions. There are many excellent groups and schools, such as the Cali Theatre School (TEC), whose director is Enrique Buenaventura; the La Candelaria theatre, directed by Santiago García; Teatro Libre, the Local Theatre and the Bogotá Popular Theatre.
The annual National Theatre Festival has acquired considerable national and international prestige and awards prizes to the best groups, directors and actors. Since 1968 there has been an annual Theatre Festival in Manizales, which has developed from university theatre.
Further information on drama groups, theatres and other cultural information are available on the
Ministry of Culture.
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Cinema
The first Colombian film La María, an adaptation of Jorge Isaac's novel, was shown in 1922. Its success gave rise to other productions based on literary works and plays - such as Aura o Las Violetas and Los Muertos (The Dead).
Major works by Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel García Márquez have been made into films - the Mexican production based on No One Writes to the Colonel, the Italian production based on Chronicle of a Death Foretold, the Colombian production Edipo Rey (Oedipus King) and the Brazilian production Los Funerales de la mama grande (Big Mama's Funeral).
Since talking films began in 1941 in our country, feature film production has played a major part in the Colombian film industry's search for national identity. In the 1970s, the Government stepped up its support for the film industry. Set up in 1979, Focine provided support for the production of a significant number of Colombian films and encouragement for talented film directors and producers. This role was then assumed by the Culture Ministry.
The Colombian Culture Ministry is now promoting partnerships with Latin American and other countries to develop the film industry and in response to high production costs, scarce funds, limited marketing and distribution strategies and the importance of promoting cinema schools.
The movie version of "Love in the Times of Cholera", based on the eponymous novel written by Colombian Nobel Laureate Gabriel García Márquez, was recently filmed in Cartagena by US producers. The release date is November 2007.
Further information on the Colombian film industry and programs to promote Colombian cinema is available on:
Ministry of Culture
What's on in Colombia
Colombian Cinema
Cinema, TV y Fotography
Annual Cartagena Film Festival
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Music
Bambuco
The fandango, tirana, bolero and seguidilla dance music of Analucía were very popular among the Spanish middle class settling in Colombia. These dances prompted the rise of Colombia's own fandaquillos and capituco, which developed in the 19th century under the influence of Indigenous and African music in the old provinces of Antioquia and Cauca, the birthplace of bambuco.
Cumbia
Cumbia was born on the Atlantic Coast, a key point of contact for Spanish expeditions and trade. This musical hybrid emerged from the religious festivals, dances and gatherings of affluent Spaniards and the European dances of courtiers - such as the gavota, rigodo, contredanses - and popular dance tunes - such as the jota, fandango, seguidillas - which were transformed into their own rhythms by Indigenous people and Africans.
Vallenato
The origin of the Vallenato goes back to the old cowboy songs sung in the Valledupar cattle-raising region to the accompaniment of drums and guacharacas, through which peasants related their hardships and longings. Vallenatos were influenced by the melodies of Arhuaco and Guajiro Indigenous groups, Africans and Europeans, with their coplas, décimas and, more recently, the accordion.
Porro
The Porro has its origin on the Atlantic Coast and combines African and Spanish music (wind instruments, song, etc). There is more African than Spanish influence.
Pasillo
In the 19th century the waltz came to Colombia from Vienna and developed into a Colombian one or Pasillo. The waltz left the refined ballrooms to be transformed by popular bands. Poets and composers have used pasillos to create moving songs expressing profound Colombian sentiments.
National Conservatory and Symphony Orchestra
The foundation of the National Conservatory and the First Symphony Orchestra in 1910 mark the beginning of what is later on known as Colombian modern music.
An important part is played by conservatories and music schools, orchestras, choral and chamber groups, which have shaped generations of artists that have performed at national and international venues.
Among the most important music schools, there is the National Conservatory, and Music Department of the National University Arts Faculty founded in 1910 by Guillermo Uribe Holguín; the Antonio María Valencia Conservatory in Cali, the Fine Arts Institute in Medellín, the Antioquia Conservatory, the Atlantic University Conservatory, the Music School in Popayán, where the traditional Festival of Religious Music takes place, and the Tunja School of Higher Musical Studies.
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Carnivals and Festivals
Black & White Carnival, Pasto, Nariño 4-6 January
Riosucio Devil's Carnival, 2-8 January
Manizales Fair, Manizales-Caldas, 5-11 January
Corraleja Feast, Sincelejo-Sucre, 20 January
Barranquilla Shrovetide Celebrations, Barranquilla-Atlántico, February
Holy Week, Popayán-Cauca, Easter time
Holy Week, Monopod-Bolívar, Eastertime
Bucaramanga Fair, Bucaramanga, Santander
National Unpublished Song Contest Socorro, Santander
Guabina dance and tiple Guitar Festival, Velez, Santander
Flower Fair, Medellín Antioquia, August (10 days)
Cali Fair, Cali, Valle del Cauca, 25-30 December
Bambuco Dance Festival, Neiva, Huila, 24 June-3 July
Folk Festival, Ibagué, Tolima, June
Coffee Beauty Contest, Calarcá, Quindío, June
Mono Nuñez Festival, Ginebra, Valle del Cauca, May
Amazon Fraterity Festival, Leticia, Amazonas
Festival of the Sea, Santa Marta, Magdalena, August
Vallenata Legend Dance Festival, Valledupar-Cesar, April
Tourism Beauty Contest, Girardot, Amazonas
International Llanera music contest, Saravena, Arauca
International Film Festival, Cartagena, Bolívar, March
National Beauty Contest Cartagena, Bolívar, 11 November
Caribbean Music Festival Caribe, Cartagena, Bolívar, March
Boyacá Christmas Festival, Tunja-Boyacá, 15-24 December
National Music Band Festival, Paipa-Boyacá, September
Latin American Theatre Festival, Manizales-Caldas, September
Torneo Internacional Cimarrón De Oro, Yopal-Casanare
St Francis of Assisi Festival, Quibdó, Chocó, Sept-Oct
National Porro Dance Festival, San Pelayo, Córdoba
National Panela (brown sugar loaf) Festival, Villeta-Cundinamarca
Wayúu Culture Festival, Uribia, Guajira, May
National Divi-divi Festival, Riohacha, Guajira, July
Return Festival, Acacías, Meta, 15 October
Candle and Lamp Festival, Quimbaya, Quindío
Harvest Festival, Pereira, Risaralda, August
Green Moon Festival, San Andrés Island, September
Latin American Theatre Festival, Bogotá D.C., March-April
Coconut Beauty Contest, San Andrés Island, November
Plains Folk and Tourist Festival, San Martín, Meta, November
Información on Festivals:
Artesanías de Colombia
Corporación de Ferias
Carnaval de Barranquilla
Instituto para la Exportación y la Moda-Inexmoda
Colombiamoda
Colombiafashion
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Traditional Recipes
Bogotá's most typical dish is ajiaco santafereño, a thick chicken soup consisting of different kinds of potato, a herb called guascas and sweet corn, served with capers and fresh cream.
In the coffee growing belt local dishes served in the famous fondas (cheap restaurants) are proverbial. Notably, the bandeja paisa which consists of generous helpings of red beans, minced beef, ripe plantain, chicharrón (pork crisp), rice and arepas (a kind of thick Mexican tortilla).
Some people in the southern regions eat cuyes (guinea pigs).
In the Caribbean region a lot of fish and shellfish are eaten. Rice and potatoes are the staple diet, with meat and plantain or coconut rice in central areas, and with beans in the north west.
Typical sweets include natilla (rice, sugar, cocunut, and milk), arequipe con brevas (a boiled milk dessert with black figs), arequipe, a thick milk sweet like soft toffee. Panela (raw sugar cane cubes) are used for drinks and sweets such as melcochas (consisting of panela, water and butter), postre de natas (made from milk skim) and bocadillo (guava paste).
The national firewater is aguardiente, which you can try alone or mixed with hot coffee (carajillo), or aguardiente with cinnamon (canelazo).
You may wish to try out the following recipes:
Ajiaco (Bogotá Chicken and Potato Soup)
Ingredients
· 2 chicken breasts, garlic and onion
· chicken stock
· 12 small yellow potatoes, cut in halves
· 2 ears of corn, cut in halves
· 8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 5mm slices
· 1 bunch spring onion
· 1 bunch coriander
· 8 T guascas (frenchweed)
· 1 cup double cream
· 2 T. capers, drained
· 2 avocados, peeled, stoned and thinly sliced
· salt
Marinate chicken breasts overnight with garlic, onion and salt. Place breasts in a heavy 4-litre casserole, add water, cover and cook until chicken is tender. Transfer chicken to a platter. Remove skin from chicken and discard. Cut up chicken breasts into strips.
Cook yellow potatoes in casserole with the chicken stock until they start to disintegrate. Add more chicken stock to taste. At this point the soup should be thick and fairly smooth. Add spring onion, coriander, sliced potatoes, guascas, and corn. When cooked remove the coriander and scallions.
Serve the chicken and soup in soup bowls with 3 T. of cream, 1 t. of chopped capers and sliced avocado on top. Serves 4.
Note: Guascas (frenchweed) are an essential ingredient for authentic ajiaco. They are not readily available outside Colombia, but they give this soup its characteristic flavor.
Frijoles Antioqueños (Antioquian Beans)
Ingredients
· 2 pounds kidney beans
· 4 slices chopped bacon or 1/2 lb piece of salt pork
· 2 green plantains, finely chopped
· 1 T. salt
· 1 T. cooking oil
· 4 small tomatoes, peeled and chopped
· 2 chopped onions
· 1 crushed clove of garlic
Wash beans and soak overnight. Place beans and bacon or salt pork in a pressure cooker and cover with water. Cook for about an hour or until tender. Ad plantains and cook until soft. Add salt and mix well. In a separate pan sauté tomatoes, onions and garlic until soft and add to beans. Cook for another half an hour until all flavors have blended. These beans taste even better on the following day!
Arepas
Note: This is a shortcut for preparing arepas. Although these do not taste exactly like the traditional arepa, they are close enough.
Ingredients
· 1 cup precooked white corn meal
· 1 cup water
· 1 T butter
· salt
Bring water to boil and add to corn meal, stirring thoroughly. Add butter and salt to taste. Shape into flat tortillas (around 3mm thick) and grill over a low charcoal fire or on wire rack on cooker. Serve hot with butter and fresh white cheese. Arepas can also be topped with tuna salad, chicken, ham and cheese, sautéed tomatoes and onions, beef stew, etc.
Chicharón antioqueño
Ingredients
· 3 lbs. Belly of pork
Fry in a little water (until crisp). Drain. Cut up.
Baked Pineapple sweet
Ingredients
· 1 grated fresh pineapple
· Approx. 6 oz sugar
· 1 cup water
· 1 stick cinnamon
· 1 spoonful butter
· 4 eggs beaten separately
Place pineapple, sugar, water and cinnamon in pan and simmer until dissolved. Cool. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Bake in oven at 350 ° on greased baking tray until golden.
Buñuelos (Fried Cheese Puffs)
Ingredients
· 1 lb. white cheese or small curd or cottage cheese (quesito)
· 1 1/2 cups corn flour
· 2 eggs, beaten
· 2 T. brown sugar
· 1/2 t. salt
Grate cheese. Mix cheese with corn flour, eggs, brown sugar and salt. Roll into balls the size of golf balls and drop into medium-hot vegetable oil and fry slowly. After a few minutes increase temperature and fry until golden. Remove and place on absorbent paper. Makes 15 buñuelos.
Please note that the success of this recipe depends on using the right cheese.
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