Colombia’s celebrations for its bicentennial of independence ended with a bang, as 30,000 people gathered in the nation’s capital to watch a spectacle of song and dance, and enjoy the fireworks that lit up Bogota’s Plaza Bolivar.
The plaza, which was the site of Colombia’s call for independence 200 years ago, played host to the concert, which was attended by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno.
To open the show, 30 dancers depicted the meeting between indigenous people and the Spanish. This was followed by the arrival of a group of horses bearing armoured riders, to depict the Spanish conquest of South America.
Later an acrobat dressed in white and carrying the Colombian flag swung around the plaza suspended by a cable to the song “La Esperanza.” More music followed and the sky exploded in showers of fireworks.
Earlier in the day the nation celebrated its 200 years of independence with 1,000 concerts, which took place simultaneously in 1,102 municipalities across the Andean nation, as well as 44 other cities around the world.
The most important concert of the day was held in Quibdo, in Colombia’s Choco department. Almost 10,000 crowded along the banks of the Atrato River to watch a concert by Colombian singer Juanes. The super star was joined by , a Choco native, who was chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to perform a duet for the event.
On Tuesday morning Uribe and his protege, Colombian President-elect Juan Manuel Santos, attended a military parade in Bogota. Ten thousand members of Colombia’s armed forces paraded through the streets, while 76 planes and helicopters performed an aerial show.
The bicentennial was also celebrated by the opening of an antique chest, sealed 100 years ago.
The chest was opened by Uribe and Moreno in a solemn ceremony. Inside the officials found 100-year-old photos, drawings, city plans and hymns. Each of the 32 items found in the chest was included in a detailed inventory.
The items in the chest included some of the most important documents from Colombia’s centennial celebration in 1911.
To view Colombia’s colorful bicentennial celebrations in photos, click here.