Bogota Stages Nine Festivals to Promote Environmental Care

Carlos Fernando Galan, the Mayor of Bogota, Colombia’s capital, is aiming to turn the city into a cultural powerhouse. In coordination with the district’s Secretary of Culture, Recreation, and Sports (IDRD), Santiago Trujillo, and the Director of the District Institute of Arts (IDARTES), Maria Claudia Parias, the dates for the upcoming Festivals at the Park have been revealed. The festivals are a key aspect of the Bogota Mayor’s Office to promote environmental awareness.

For six months (June to November), the city of Bogota will experience this artistic expression designed to boost appreciation for the environment, curated by IDARTES. 

What are the main goals of the festivals?

From a press event held at the Bogota Planetarium to announce the festivals, Mayor Galan stated, “Our administration is committed to spreading the joy of music and dance in every part of our city. This year we are proud to present nine Festivals at the Park, which is two more than last year. These festivals include newly introduced events, such as Vallenato at the Park and Popular at the Park. These events are part of the District Agreements that were ratified by the Council.”

It is worth remembering that these festivals are being prepared amidst the current water crisis that Bogota is enduring, and have thus been themed as Festivals for Water and aim to promote the environment. 

The mayor continued by saying, “This year’s festivals have a crucial mission to raise awareness about the preservation and protection of the city’s natural water resources.” Attendees will enjoy ‘Popular at the Park’ and ‘Vallenato at the Park’, concerts featuring top national recording artists. With a goal of surpassing 800,000 attendees, Mayor Galan emphasized the ambition, but also the achievability, of this objective.

The mayor aims to use the nine festivals to raise environmental awareness, promote local artists, as well as minimizing their environmental impact. Santiago Trujillo hopes the event will establish environmental responsibility in the citizens’ minds as “Bogota’s cultural soundtrack”.

The environment festival lineup

• Joropo at the Park: Celebrating the work songs of the Eastern Plains at Plaza de Bolivar, June 14-16.
• Hip Hop at the Park: Promoting unity under the theme, “One culture, one family,” Simon Bolivar Park, July 13-14.
• Vallenato at the Park: Debuting at La Media Torta on August 3 and Simon Bolivar Park on August 4, celebrating Parranda and Folklore.
• Gospel at the Park: Fusing various musical genres at the Summer Festival, August 10.
• Colombia at the Park: Honoring rivers as cultural keystones at Los Novios Park, August 24-25.
• Popular at the Park: Showcasing diverse music genres from across the hemisphere at El Tunal Metropolitan Park, September 14-15.
• Jazz at the Park: Uniting cultures through jazz at El Country Park, September 28-29.
• Salsa at the Park: Exploring salsa’s urban roots at Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park, October 5-6.
• Rock at the Park: Closing the series at Simon Bolivar Park by celebrating subcultures in harmony, November 9-11.