Nearly 1,500 people attended the national launch of the 30th edition of the Festival de Música del Pacífico Petronio Álvarez in Bogotá last weekend.
The event took place at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo over two days. Groups including Mokumba, Ensamble Chirimía, Patacoré, Chirimía Timbisón and Mangle Sonoro performed traditional and contemporary music from Colombia’s Pacific region.
Cali’s secretary of culture, Leydi Higidio, noted that this commemorative edition aims to strengthen the preservation and international projection of Afro-Colombian traditions. The festival will be held in Cali from August 9 to 17 under the concept “La Casa Grande del Pacífico dialoga con el mundo, desde la raíz”.
The Global Summit of Afrodiasporidad was also presented, positioning Cali as a meeting point between Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. The launch confirms the Petronio Álvarez’s role as a cultural bridge.