Carnival Barranquilla

So Barranquilla’s Shakira is dating Gerard Pique whilst,...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:28:00 -0500

So Barranquilla’s Shakira is dating Gerard Pique whilst, according to rumours, the queen of the 2010 carnival Giselle Lacouture is dating his team mate Carlos Puyol.

But do any of the players from Barcelona’s dream team have a chance with this year’s carnival queen Andrea Jaramillo Char?

With this ball control, maybe she could teach them something on the pitch too!

Hot of the rumour mill is that Barcelona superstar footballer...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:16:00 -0500

Hot of the rumour mill is that Barcelona superstar footballer Carlos Puyol is dating the queen of the 2010 Carnival, Giselle Lacouture. According to reports it was Barranquilla’s very own superstar - Shakira - who played matchmaker.

If you are considering a trip to Colombia, then an up to date...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:08:00 -0500

My guidebooks.

If you are considering a trip to Colombia, then an up to date guidebook is a worthwhile investment. Last week (January 24th 2012) Footprint released the latest edition of their Colombia Handbook.

I personally own two guidebooks (see photo above) - the previous edition of the Colombia Handbook by Charlie Devereux and the Bradt Colombia Guidebook by Sarah Woods. I’ve found both to be great for getting an overview of what each city offers, planning itineraries and finding good places to eat, drink and sleep. In addition, they give you a little bit of background on the history and culture. Out of the two, I’d have to say that the Footprint Handbook is slightly better. It has clearer maps and is better organised.

Although this new handbook is by a different author, a cursory comparison of its contents with the previous edition shows that it is primarily an update rather than a complete rewrite. Nevertheless, being up-to-date is an important asset for a guidebook - especially one on a country that is transforming as rapidly as Colombia.

"In a country affected by violence, this carnival is an exceptional space for peaceful coexistence..."

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:12:52 -0500

“In a country affected by violence, this carnival is an exceptional space for peaceful coexistence and cultural diversity.”

- Gabriel García Márquez (Eminent Colombian author)

Although the main event runs from Saturday 18th February until...

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:10:57 -0500

Although the main event runs from Saturday 18th February until Tuesday 4th February, yesterday marked the start of events, with the launch of the so called “Pre-Carnival” in the Romelio Martinez stadium. The carnival foundation, which organises proceedings, ensures that at least 90% of the event is free - or over 35 shows!

A tear of happiness rolls down the cheek of Andrea Jaramillo...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:24:38 -0500

A tear of happiness rolls down the cheek of Andrea Jaramillo Char upon recieving news that she has been chosen as the queen of the 2012 carnival. The gorgeous 21 year old student of Business Administration has lived in Barranquilla all her life and loves the Caribbean and carnival culture.

The queen of the 2012 carnival, Andrea Jaramillo Char, arrived...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:16:51 -0500

The queen of the 2012 carnival, Andrea Jaramillo Char, arrived at the airport on Thursday to greet the players of Junior De Barranquilla football club who had just won the Colombian Football Championship. Congratulations Junior!!!

Some footage from the parade of traditions in Barranquilla,...

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:35:00 -0500

Some footage from the parade of traditions in Barranquilla, Colombia, enjoy!

A nice photo of some clowns from the opening day of the...

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:24:51 -0500

A nice photo of some clowns from the opening day of the carnival.

Some colourful photos from the opening of the carnival, courtesy...

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:33:00 -0500

Some colourful photos from the opening of the carnival, courtesy of “La Libertad,” Barranquilla’s local newspaper.

The poster for the 2011 carnival that begins on March 5th shows...

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:19:04 -0500

The poster for the 2011 carnival that begins on March 5th shows the slogan “¡Quién lo vive es quién lo goza!” which translated means “Who lives it, is who enjoys it!” - so book your tickets now!

A photograph of the very pretty Marcela Dávila Márquez, the...

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:12:00 -0500

A photograph of the very pretty Marcela Dávila Márquez, the queen of this year’s “Carnaval de Barranquilla”.

Security at the 2011 pre-carnival and carnival will be ensured...

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:02:40 -0500

Security at the 2011 pre-carnival and carnival will be ensured by 4,000 men and women from the national police service. They will work together with the civil defence force and the red cross and aim to allow everyone to enjoy the carnival in a safe and secure environment.

Ana Beatriz Villamizar, a 21 year old from Bogota has been named...

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:09:00 -0400

Ana Beatriz Villamizar, a 21 year old from Bogota has been named queen of the carnival party taking place on the 23rd of October 2010 in the Colombian capital. With parents from Barranquilla, the carnival “spirit and culture run through my veins” she said. “My passion is dancing and that comes from my father who is an excellent dancer. I love Cumbia and Mapale, and also the history behind each rhythm - where it comes from and what it represents,” said Ana who is currently in her sixth semester of studies at the University of Rosario.

A first look at Marcela Dávila Marquez, queen of Carnival...

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:57:00 -0400

A first look at Marcela Dávila Marquez, queen of Carnival Barranquilla 2011.

Giselle Lacouture, queen of the carnival 2010, is leading a...

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:26:00 -0400

Giselle Lacouture, queen of the carnival 2010, is leading a campaign to help victims who have lost their homes due to flooding. You can follow Gisselle on Twitter at twitter@giselacouture or on Facebook by joining the group “Gisselle Lacouture Reina del Carnaval 2010”.

12 delegates from countries across Central America and the...

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:30:20 -0400

12 delegates from countries across Central America and the Carribean arrived in Colombia last week to learn more about the running of the carnival. The guests were fascinated by the music, dancing and culture - so much so that they put down their cameras and telephones to join in and dance to the rhythm of the mapalé (see photo).

To celebrate the start of the pre-carnival here is a traditional...

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:27:00 -0500

To celebrate the start of the pre-carnival here is a traditional Vallenato song, a musical style originating from Colombia’s Carribean coast. The song is called I Want To See You Smile and is sung by Carlos Vives.

Looking for a hotel for the carnival? Here's all the info you need!

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:30:00 -0500

Looking for a hotel for the carnival? Here's all the info you need!:

A comprehensive list of Barranquilla hotels and contacts (in French but the list of hotel names/contacts is universal). Thanks to Darloup for compiling this!

2010 Pre Carnival Program - Part 1

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:05:00 -0500

Starting things off at 8pm Saturday 16th January 2010 is the “Reading of the Declaration” where the carnival queen officially opens Carnaval de Barranquilla after the symbolic handing over of the keys to Barranquilla by the city mayor.

The week after at 6pm Saturday on 23rd January 2010 we have the “Party of the Dancers” at the Romelio Martinez Stadium. This is designed as a showcase for talented new dance groups - both traditional and modern - who will put on a show demonstrating their creativity.

On Sunday 24th January 2010 at 11 am we have the “Party of Danzas and Cumbias” – two traditional Colombian dances – again at the Romelio Martinez Stadium. This is a popular carnival event where the groups at the heart of the party show their cultural identity through dance.

On Friday 29th January 2010 at 8pm, yet again at the Romelio Martinez Stadium, we have “The coronation of the Carnival Queen”. Following tradition, the carnival queen is crowned in front of her city amongst a show of traditional music where she shows her artistic skills.

“Guacherna” is the next event, taking place on 5th February 2010 at 6pm on Calle 72 con Carrera 44. This is the first parade of the carnival and is used as an appetizer of things to come, featuring dances, costumes, lights and lanterns.