“If you smell cane, tobacco, and tar, you are in Cali.
My Cali is being decorated for its most popular festivity. There is going to be
bullfights and at night party and rumba.
In Cali, you’ll see we know how to celebrate.” This is the translate lyrics of one of the
most emblematic songs of the city I come from. This song by Orquesta Guayacan
is called “Oiga, Mire, Vea.” It describes the feelings of the citizens of Cali,
preview to the beginning of its most popular festivity, “La Feria de Cali” or “The
Cali’s Festival,” which takes place each year from December 25 – 30.
The event was created to stimulate the economy of the
city and to bring back the joy to the citizens of Cali after a terrible event
that took place in 1956. It was first called “The Cane Fair” in tribute to the
product that provided economic development for the region: the sugarcane. Nowadays,
the event is not only a tribute to the sugarcane, but also to salsa music.
Some of the events that take place during the festival
are the following:
·
Cali Viejo: a parade where the traditions, customs, and values
of the city are represented.
·
El Salsodromo: a parade that takes place on December 25 announcing the
beginning of “La Feria." Here, attendees can enjoy
watching the dancers from the different dance schools of the city showing their
moves while performing incredible choreographies in company of some of the most
known salsa orchestras.
·
Super Concierto: a concert that starts at sundown and
last until sundown, where national and international artist perform.
·
Bullfights (I do not support them): In the afternoons during
the festival many people gather at la plaza (venue where the bullfights take
place) to watch some of the world-famous bullfighters that come to the city to
perform.
I recommend you to attend this festival at one point on your life. You will get to meet very friendly people, as well as have the opportunity to party all day and night long to the sound of salsa music.
Hi Angela,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing event! I think it was a smart idea to have this at the end of the terrible event in 1956, because it seems like a great way to bring the community together while also stimulating the economy. At the end of your post, you mentioned that you recommend everyone attends this event at some point, and I'm wondering if there are very many people from outside your city that come or if it's mostly locals. Also, I noticed that you said you don't support bullfights. Is that a common attitude or is it a minority of people that don't support them?
Hi Angela,
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great post. I would definitely want to attend The Cali's Festival. Its sounds like a ton of fun.
Hi Angela,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing good information on Cali. This post brings me back to the Disney movie Coco which I absolutely love!
Hi Angela,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like so much fun! I really wish that I could attend La Feria de Cali one day. How big is your city? Based on the way you describe this festival, I feel like there's a sense of community where you're from. I assume it's pretty large and you don't know everyone, but it makes me think that people are very friendly and welcoming. Also, is there a reason the festival takes place after Christmas?