CARNAVAL DE BARRANQUILLA

Considered one of the three largest carnivals in Latin America (along with those of Rio and Oruro), the Carnival of Barranquilla was included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2008. Its diverse origins range from the medieval carnival of the Old World to the celebrations of the African neighborhoods of Cartagena during the slavery era. The legacy of burlesque costumes and the staging of the most tragic episodes of colonization, have been enriched for two centuries, traditions and rituals African and Amerindian. During the four days preceding Lent, the inhabitants and tourists are both spectators and actors of an overflow of joy, to the sound of drums and folkloric presentations. Carnival is indescribable, it must be lived! " Quien lo vive es quien lo goza" (he who lives it is the one who enjoys it), we are delighted! But the party begins in January: it is the pre-carnival, which begins with the raising of the flag and the reading of the decree(Lectura del Bando) that orders the beginning of the festivities. This is followed by dance and theater presentations by children's and adult troupes, concerts and the crowning of the Queens of the different neighborhoods and Reyecitos, the Child Kings. The pre-carnival ends with the crowning of the Queen and King Momo(Rey Momo). Then the serious stuff begins, the carnival itself, with the "Battle of the Flowers", a parade where people compete with flowers. The party will go on and on, day and night, with many parades and folkloric parties, such as the "Great Parade", to the hypnotic rhythms of cumbia and garabato... But soon, Barranquilla is in mourning. On Calle 84, the Queen, dressed in black, weeps as she accompanies "Joselito Carnaval", the character who embodies the spirit of Carnival. Joselito has enjoyed without limits, without sleeping, without going home. Completely drunk, covered in cornmeal, he danced to the end of his strength, hasta que el cuerpo aguante... On Shrove Tuesday, he was found lifeless. A tragedy. On Ash Wednesday, in front of the coffin of "Joselito Carnaval", between tears and cries of pain, the Queen fainted. But during the funeral, "Joselito" miraculously woke up and shouted: " No estaba muerto... estaba de PARRANDAAAAA!" (I was not dead, I was celebrating!). This is how the Carnival ends, in the spirit of madness that characterizes the Barranquilleros so well!