Dates: 17 - 23 July 2023
This is a community-led event celebrating Colombian culture in London, as part of the Colombian Independence Day celebrations taking place in July 2023. The festival will honour and highlight the 50-year history, development, and contribution of this community to London’s cultural fabric.
Tuesday 18 July: Launch of Exhibition 'Colombian Artists in London'
Works by London based Colombian Artists:
Leo Rodriguez – Leo is a contemporary artist today. He started in the art world as a makeup artist and hair stylist working for different media and television in his hometown Bogotá Colombia…. In his own words: ‘I see my versatile tastes; I like to experiment with different techniques and styles from the abstract to the figurative, always with vibrant colours’.
Carlos Gil Lizarazo - A talented emerging artist at the age of 17, is currently pursuing his Art A-level studies alongside business courses. His artistic journey is fuelled by the profound concepts of identity and belonging.
The Exhibition will be displayed throughout the week until Sunday 23rd July
Time: 6pm
Tickets: Free Event
Tuesday 18 July: ‘From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning’
Documentary about the Kogi Indigenous people from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, who call themselves ‘Guardians of the Heart of the World’ and their plea for ecological sanity in a time when the earth is being ravaged by so-called civilized people.
Director: Alan Ereira, Film documentary, BBC 1990.
Time: 7 pm
Tickets: Free Charity Event (£2 Registration to be donated to the Tairona Heritage Trust)
+ Live music follows the film with Diego Laverde & Ensamble Criollo + DJs till 11pm
Wednesday 19 July: Talk & Discussion: ‘Colombian and Latin music in motion in London’
An informal discussion with 4 important Colombian musicians from the community in London: Roberto Pla / Kinacho Suarez / Nirk Molina / Luz Elena Caicedo - Moderator/Speaker Dr Camilo Soler, King’s College University.
Time: 7 pm
Tickets: Free Event
+ Vinyl Session with DJs & Record Collectors Johnny Gee, Hector Rivera & Mai 'Golpe' from 8.30 pm to 11pm
Thursday 20 July: ‘ALUNA: A Journey to Save the World’
Documentary film from 2012 by Alan Ereira, sequel to the 1990 film ‘From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning’
+ Talk and discussion about the situation today with ALAN EREIRA the maker of both films, himself.
Time: 7pm
Tickets: Free (£2 Registration to be donated to the Tairona Heritage Trust)
Thursday 20 July: ‘VIVA COLOMBIA’ + FILM
+ 7pm to 1 am ‘VIVA COLOMBIA’ Party (organised in partnership with Latinos in London) follows the film 'ALUNA' to celebrate Colombia Independence Day with DJ Carlitos Niño
+ special guests, including 'Meet & Greet' the Festival's special international guests, all the way from Cali, Colombia - Nilson Castro & Eliana Feijoo, the current Cali Salsa World Champions, who will be performing and teaching Cali Salsa master classes the following 3 days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Festival.
Friday 21 July: ‘COLOMBIA INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL PARTY CELEBRATION’
Music & Dance celebration party with Artists from the community in London, Nirk Molina & The Vallenato Kings, folk dance group Talentos School of Dance and international guests from Cali, Colombia: the current Cali Salsa world champions NIlson Castro & Eliana Feijoo.
DJs Fercho KBSon, Johnny Gee and Record Collector Hector Rivera.
Time: 9 pm to 3.30 am
Tickets: £10 in Adv and £15 at the Door
Saturday & Sunday 22/23 July Daytime: Cali Salsa dance master workshops
With current World Salsa dance champions from Cali, Nilson Castro & Eliana Feijoo. Organised by Cali Swing UK Dance School.
+ Sunday 23rd July 3 pm to 10 pm: Closing Festival Family Party with Cali Swing UK dance School and champions from Cali Nilson & Eliana + DJs Mai 'Golpe' & Fulvio.
+ The party includes, a Special Screening at 3.30 pm of 'Paso a Paso, la Salsa en Cali'. Salsa dance documentary about an internal competition in 2007, where Nilson & Eliana were present, at legendary Cali and Colombia's world famous Salsa dance school 'Swing Latino'. Directors: Alejandro Ulloa and Antonio Dorado / 2007 / 25 minutes / Spanish (no Subtitles).