The new “King of Vallenato,” one of Colombia’s most popular music genres, has been named as the 47th annual Vallenato Legend Festival came to a close on Sunday.
The new King of has been named as Gustavo Osorio Picon from the town of Rio de Oro, Cesar, northern Colombia. Picon reached the finals in last years competition but was beaten by rival Wilber Mendoza in an intense final performance.
The Vallenato Legend Festival is one of the most important music festivals in Colombia with musicians coming from regions of the country to compete to win the prestigious title of the “King of Vallenato.”
The festival is held in Valledupar in the northern Colombian state of Cesar and seeks to “preserve and promote authentic vallenato music.”
MORE: Colombia wants UN to declare vallenato music cultural heritage
Founded in 1968 by legendary vallenato composer, Rafael Escalona, former President Alfonso Lopez Michelsen, and former Minister of Culture Consuelo Araujo, the festival is seen as a way to celebrate and preserve the popular musical genre.
The festival features competitions to find the best musicians in different instrument categories with the heated competitions of quintessential vallenato instruments such as accordion, caja vallenata and guacharaca taking place. The festival also hosts lyrics battles and competitions for best song.
Competitors from Argentina, Mexico y Venezuela were also present at the festival.
Sources
- 18 departamentos y tres países participarán en los concursos del 47 Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata (Fundacion de Vallenato)
- Trono de Rey Vallenato tiene nuevo ocupante (Caracol Radio)