Medellin’s famous ‘silleteros’ will parade through the streets of Manhattan in New York on June 28 as part of the Latin American Folkloric Dance Festival.
‘Silleteros’ are artisans who carry elaborate flower arrangements known as ‘silletas’ on their backs as they parade through the streets during Medellin’s annual Flower Fair held in August.
The Latin American Folkloric Dance Festival features a parade of traditional dances from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay,
Ecuador and the Dominican Republic
Five Colombian ‘silleteros’ will participate in the parade this year.
Elisabeth Ballesteros, president of the Latin American Corporation of Culture and Art –the body organizing the event– said that the festival’s biggest problem has been to find ‘silleteros’ willing to participate. Most are preparing for the Medellin Flower Fair on August 7, in which 500 ‘silleteros’ will participate.
Two floats decorated with floral motifs, prepared by the five ‘silleteros’, were sent to New York from Colombia. They will also be involved in the parade.