Medellin’s Flower Festival kicks off

Medellin’s flower festival, the city’s most important cultural event of the year, kicks off Thursday with a free concert at the city hall, after which the city will host some 150 events in the ten days of the festival.

The traditional highlights of the event are the parade of “silleteros,” the beautiful paisa women taking part in the horseback-riding parade, the classic car parade and the “fondas,” a collection of huts where the many villages of the Antioquia department show what they have to offer musically and gastronomically.

Less-known, but maybe cooler events are the car-tuning festival, the orchid exposition, the musical theme nights and the half dozen “tablados” or block parties that are organized throughout the festival.

Below is a selection of events held in the first weekend we recommend. You can also download the full program (PDF).

Thursday

  • Official opening concert with Jorge Celedon, the Medellin Police Orchestra and
    6PM – 01AM — Calle San Juan, in front of the mayor’s office

Friday

  • “Arrieros, Mulas y Fondas,” cultural and gastronomical presentation of the villages of Antioquia
    10AM – 01AM — Aeroparque Juan Pablo II
  • Artisan fair
    10AM – 11PM — Pueblito Paisa
  • Flower and butterfly exposition
    10AM – 7PM — Plazoleta Central Union mall
  • Exposition of photos of the Comuna 13 by photo journalist Federico Rios
    2PM – 6PM — Telemedellin office, Carrera 43A 17 sur 30
  • Vallenato festival with Jorge Celedon, Silvestre Dangond, Pipe Pelaez and others
    8PM — La Macarena

Saturday

  • Children “Silletero” (flower carrier) parade
    10AM – ?? — See Google Maps
  • “Arrieros, Mulas y Fondas,” cultural and gastronomical presentation of the villages of Antioquia
    10AM – 01AM — Aeroparque Juan Pablo II
  • Artisan fair
    10AM – 11PM — Pueblito Paisa
  • Flower and butterfly exposition
    10AM – 7PM — Plazoleta Central Union mall
  • Artesanal Medellin 2011
    10:30AM – 9:30PM — Punto Clave mall
  • Horseback-riding parade
    1PM – ?? — See Google Maps
  • Marching band festival
    1PM – 10PM — Southern bus terminal
  • Exposition of photos of the Comuna 13 by photo journalist Federico Rios
    2PM – 6PM — Telemedellin office, Carrera 43A 17 sur 30
  • Andean music festival
    7PM EAFIT University

Sunday

  • “Heroes of the Nation” Motorcycle parade
    10AM – ?? — See Google Maps
  • Artisan fair
    10AM – 8PM — Premium Plaza mall
  • Artisan fair
    10AM – 11PM — Pueblito Paisa
  • Artesanal Medellin 2011
    10:30AM – 9:30PM — Punto Clave mall
  • Marching band festival
    1PM – 10PM — Southern bus terminal
  • Chivas and flower parade
    2PM – ?? — See Google Maps
  • Exposition of photos of the Comuna 13 by photo journalist Federico Rios
    2PM – 6PM — Telemedellin office, Carrera 43A 17 sur 30
  • Andean music festival
    3PM EAFIT University

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