Every year, during the month of August, the city of Medellín in Colombia is filled with colors to celebrate the Feria de las Flores, or Flower Fair. Held since 1957, the festival was born to promote the flower market cultivated by local farmers and has, over time, become the most important cultural manifestation of the Antioquia region, of which Medellín is the capital.
In parades held in the city center, the population gathers to watch the procession of silletereros, local producers who carry enormous arrangements that can weigh more than 50 kilograms of flowers. The procession is part of a competition with several categories, as the arrangements have various themes. Some feature three-dimensional designs with civic and religious messages, while others are advertising pieces that carry the brands of sponsoring companies.
The tradition of the “silletas” in Medellín and other areas of the Andean region of Colombia dates back to colonial times when peasants and Indigenous people carried wooden chairs on their backs to transport people, food, and the flower shipments themselves.
In addition to the celebration of flowers, cultural events are also part of the program (Secretaría de Cultura Medellín/Flickr)
In addition to the parades, the festival program includes other events that encourage visitors to explore the rural area of the city where the flowers are produced. The invitation extends to visit the Botanical Garden of Medellín – which has over 4,000 species of plants – the city’s museums, and parks, all offering a wide variety of activities during the festival period.
Comuna 13 and Páramo de Santa Inés
The Flower Fair program will feature more than 100 artistic and cultural events this edition. Among the attractions are the Ciclo Silletera, an electric bike tour to the flower-producing farms. The festival will also host a display of vintage convertible cars, trova shows, popular music, and performances of rhythms like salsa and vallenato.
From August 5, every day of the festival will feature a “Graffitour,” a tour of the graffiti in Comuna 13, a neighborhood known worldwide for its street art. To get around, make sure to take a ride on the “Metrocable” cable car, one of the city’s symbols, as one of its four lines passes through there.
For those looking to escape the urban part of Medellín, during the Flower Fair, there will also be hiking trails to the neighboring municipality of Belmira, where tourists can visit the páramo of Santa Inés. Along the way, it’s possible to explore an ecological reserve that conserves various endangered species, sight birds, and appreciate the local flora.
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