Celebrating Culture: Exciting Events Await!
Celebrating Culture: Exciting Events Await!
Looking ahead to the cultural highlights of the upcoming year, 2024 promises an impressive lineup of 12 major events, enriching the tapestry of festivals, fairs, and gatherings that define our vibrant city as the cultural epicenter of our nation.
This year saw the successful debut of the inaugural Cali Classical Music Encounter, held in the final week of March, paving the way for the much-anticipated Classical Music Festival scheduled for 2025.
In addition to this newcomer, residents and visitors alike can look forward to the return of beloved favorites such as Sucursal Fest, Pot Festival, the National and International Folk Dance Encounter ‘Mercedes Montaño’, the Pacific Music Festival ‘Petronio Álvarez’, the International Poetry Festival of Cali, the International Theater Festival of Cali, the World Salsa Festival of Cali, the International Book Fair of Cali, the International Film Festival of Cali, the International Ballet Festival, and, of course, the timeless tradition of the Cali Fair.
This year, the Secretary of Culture of Cali declared, “We aspire for the people of Cali to not only be spectators but active participants, shaping the fabric of our beloved Fair through increased citizen engagement.”
Moreover, Cali’s talented artists will have the opportunity to showcase their skills beyond our city’s borders, with opportunities for participation at prestigious events such as the International Book Fair of Bogotá, the International Film Festival of Cartagena, and collaborations with cultural hubs like Medellín, Pereira, and Barranquilla. Notably, during COP16, the world’s foremost biodiversity event, which will take place in Valle’s capital in October, over 500 local artists will share their talents in 90 artistic endeavors, showcasing the rich tapestry of local and regional culture to attendees from 190 countries.
Internationally, Cali’s cultural ambassadors will spread their wings, with groups like Matachindé and Rancho Aparte taking the rhythms of the Colombian Pacific to the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Additionally, artists and cultural representatives from the Pacific will shine at the MASA Festival in Ivory Coast, while culinary artisans and performing arts enthusiasts will converge at the Market of Cultural Industries (MICSUR) in Chile.
Collaborating closely with UNESCO and the Ministry of Cultures, Cali is committed to the preservation and promotion of its cultural heritage through initiatives like the Salsa American Route, safeguarding the legacy of Cali Salsa’s Musical and Dance Complex.
In parallel, a significant investment exceeding $17 million will revitalize Cali’s Historic Center, including the restoration of the iconic Municipal Theater, set to celebrate its centennial milestone in 2027.
“We aim to rejuvenate and empower the cultural and creative districts of Obrero, Alameda, Siloé, Bulevar de Oriente, and San Fernando,” affirmed Leydi Higidio, Secretary of Culture of Cali, underscoring the city’s dedication to preserving its rich heritage while embracing a dynamic future.
Event Lineup
Sucursal Fest (June 28th to 30th)
Sucursal Fest is a celebration of integrated arts in our city, organized by the Municipality of Cali through the District Secretary of Culture, embodying values of joy, respect, inclusion, and artistry. This festival provides a platform for a diverse array of artists and groups spanning independent genres such as rock, rap, trap, funk, indie, pop, and more. It also embraces expressions like freestyle, urban dance, circus arts, visual and plastic arts, urban culture, geek culture, and LGBTQ+ representation, solidifying its reputation as a space for cultural inclusion and empowerment for new citizens and urban tribes.
Pot Festival
(June 26th to July 1st)
Now in its 24th edition, the Pot Festival celebrates the tradition of sweet alfeñique.
Sugar artisans and over 80 bearers of Cali’s tradition converge at various points throughout the city, such as San Antonio Hill, River Boulevard, market squares, and shopping centers, to showcase their sweet sculptures. As tradition dictates, godparents often purchase these delicacies to gift to their godchildren on June 29th, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, a tradition declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Colombia by UNESCO. The festival typically features a guest country as well.
National and International Folk Dance Encounter “Mercedes Montaño”
(July 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th)
Set to the rhythm of joropo, bambuco, pasillo, and other traditional dances from Colombia and around the world, this gathering takes place in emblematic spaces for Cali’s popular culture, such as River Boulevard and the open-air theater, Los Cristales. Featuring both national and international guests alongside regional and local talent, the event also includes an educational agenda, including the “Knowledge Exchange,” held at various venues across the city, running parallel to the artistic performances.
International Poetry Festival of Cali
(September 8th to 14th)
The city’s most significant poetic celebration of the year, the 24th edition of the International Poetry Festival will bring recitals, meetings, workshops, and cultural activities to various venues across the city. It aims to create more open and diverse poetic spaces with increased participation, calling for the exploration and visibility of various forms of poetry. Initiatives such as “Path to the Festival” showcase poetic work from Cali and around the world, allowing citizens to engage with the art of words.
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