Washington, D.C. — From April 14 through April 22, 2018, festivities across Washington, D.C., will celebrate Colombia’s many diverse cultures, rhythms, colors, flavors and traditions – or sabrosura – and the enduring, ever-expanding U.S.-Colombia friendship.
“From our unique Carnival performers to the rich diversity of our artists and authors, we are excited to celebrate Colombian sabrosura here in the capital of our close friend, the United States,” said Colombian Ambassador to the United States Camilo Reyes. “We welcome visitors from near and far to come celebrate Colombian culture and friendship in Washington, D.C., next month.”
“We are proud to showcase the diversity and richness of the Colombian culture through a sample of our music, arts, design and cuisine. We hope that after experiencing a little of the Colombian sabrosura throughout the week’s events, more Americans will be ready to join the over six million travelers from around the world who visited our country last year,” said Felipe Jaramillo, President of ProColombia.
Here’s how residents of and visitors to Washington, D.C., can experience ‘Colombia: Land of Sabrosura On Tour, Washington D.C.’
CARNIVAL
Saturday, April 14, 2018, during the National Cherry Blossom Parade
Dating back to the 16th century, the Carnival is Colombia’s largest carnival celebration in the south of the country and takes place in Pasto. Colombia’s famed Carnival of Blacks and Whites will be featured in the National Cherry Blossom Parade on Saturday, April 14 and will then perform at Union Market on Sunday, April 22.
ART
Monday, April 16 – Friday, April 20, 2018, at The Organization of American States AMA | Art Museum of the Americas
With an exhibition of art and photography at the AMA | Art Museum of the Organization of American States (OAS), the works of Colombian women artists will be featured. This year, the OAS celebrates its 70th anniversary.
MUSIC
Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Lincoln Theatre
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Colombian artists, including Gregorio Uribe and his Big Band, along with our Carnival from Pasto, will get the party started with their music filled with tropical rhythms and a mix between Andean rhythms, champeta, rock and pop.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Thinking about the future of Colombia and its economic partnership with the United States, Colombian Government will lead a panel discussion with U.S. business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
LITERATURE
Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at the Library of Congress
2:00pm – 9:00pm
Manuscripts, first editions and one-of-a-kind pieces from some of our nation’s most iconic artists and authors will be on display this week at the Library of Congress. Pictures from the Library’s private collection and recordings of Gabriel García Márquez and Juan Gabriel Vásquez will also be available for viewing and listening.
DIPLOMACY
Thursday, April 19, 2018, in Rayburn House Office Building Foyer
9:00am – 2:00pm
Capitol Hill will experience some of the flavors – including coffee, cacao and panela –that make Colombia unique and are instrumental to promoting peace. Lawmakers will learn about the success of Peace Agreement implementation and how Colombia is promoting new agricultural products to fulfill the demand for rural jobs and transform illegal crops into profitable ones.
FASHION
Thursday, April 19, 2018, at the Residence of the Colombian Ambassador
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Striking handmade products and garments crafted from unique traditional techniques define Colombian fashion, which has helped transform the lives of the Colombian women from a wide range of ethnic groups. In partnership with LATIN CURATED, 13 Colombian designers will dress 13 women from the Washington social, cultural and diplomatic worlds in a fashion showcase of innovative design and unparalleled quality.
BIODIVERSITY
Monday, April 16 – Friday, April 20, 2018, at Tudor Place
Colombia is the second most biologically diverse country on Earth and is home to about 10 percent of all kinds of the world’s species. Through a display of its most iconic flower, the orchid, at Tudor Place, Colombia’s rich biodiversity will be on display. The weeklong exhibition will feature photographs from the historic Humboldt expedition along with a multimedia exhibition by Orquideas. The Ambassador and his wife will visit the exhibition on the morning of Friday, April 20.
CARNIVAL
Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Union Market
10:00am
After being featured in the National Cherry Blossom Parade on April 14, Carnival performers will turn Union Market into Colombia’s famed Carnival of Blacks and Whites on Sunday, April 22.
