A thousand concerts will get Colombians dancing on Tuesday as the nation celebrates its bicentennial of independence with parties in every part of the country.
A Grand National Concert will take place simultaneously in 1,102 municipalities across the Andean nation, as well as 44 other cities around the world to mark the victory in the fight for independence.
and have developed a proud sense of identity.
Birth of a nation
Rebel movements were sprouting in various forms across Colombia in the early 19th century, but none initially proved strong or organized enough to topple the Spanish imperialists.
This instability allowed the Spanish to reconquer Colombia, which stoked further rebellion, leading to the final proclamation of independence by Simon Bolivar in 1819.
The Vice Royalty of Grenada became the Republic of Colombia, and a nation was born.
Celebrations
A 200th birthday party doesn’t come around too often, and Colombia is a country well-practised in putting on a rumba.
Tuesday’s events will focus on two wildly different parts of the diverse nation. , while Quibdo in the Pacific department of Choco will be the musical epicenter of the celebrations.
, who was selected to perform a duet for the event.
Medellin on Monday organized a fireworks display
, 80 young musicians representing fourteen countries around the continent will stage the inaugural performance of the Colombian Youth Philharmonic Orchestra with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. A sound and light show will complement the classical music as the historic coastal city sees in the bicentennial.
Celebrations will fill every corner of Colombia on Tuesday. From the squares of small Andean pueblos to the beaches of the Caribbean, to the plains and jungles of the south, Colombians everywhere will be moving to the same rhythm.