The city of Cartagena de Indias is internationally recognized as one of the most important tourist destinations in Colombia and Latin America. In addition to having a rich history that is reflected in its gorgeous architecture, the city is also recognized for its festivals, which usually take place during the first months of the year and attract countless visitors.

One of the most important festivals that takes place in the city is the “Hay Festival”, which in its last edition, in January, celebrated its first fifteen years of existence. With more than 140 special guests of fields such as literature, visual arts, cinema, music, geopolitics, journalism and environment, interacting in a scenario of dialogue and celebration, it has become one of the most important literary events in the Hispanic World. It is also important to highlight that the Hay Festival of Cartagena offers a particularly interesting experience for young audiences and students, which have the possibility of participating for free in forums and activities specifically designed for them.

Another festival of great importance that takes place in the city is the “International Music Festival”, that since 2007 congregates several important national and international musicians. In addition to hosting expressions of the so-called classical music, there are also various popular music readings, in a constant dialogue between the two souls of the festival, Europe and Latin American. A good part of the concerts are held in beautiful and antique locations such as the Alfonso Mejía Theater or the Santa Teresa Chapel, creating an attractive atmosphere for all attendants. The 2020 edition was held between January 4 and 12 and had as its central theme the musical transition that took place between classicism and romanticism, giving a prominent place to important composers such as Franz Schubert. This festival attracts an average of 25000 spectators, the participation of 250 musicians and 35 concerts in each edition.

Cinema also has its festival in Cartagena, the “Heroic City”. Since 1960, the Cartagena Film Festival has granted the “India Catalina” award to the best of the Ibero-American cinema, being the only festival in the region that has a specialized competitive nature. Since its beginning, it has given priority to the selection of films that promote themes related to the cultural identity of Ibero-American countries, all this in order to promote the brotherhood of the Spanish-speaking peoples. This year’s edition will take place from March 11 to 16 and although the official list of guests is not yet published, a large group of assistants of international stature is expected, as it occurred in previous years with the assistance of personalities such as Alejandro González Iñárritu or Ethan Coen, among others.

These festivals have contributed to position the city of Cartagena as a regional and global reference for event tourism, making it one of the most interesting activities within the tourism sector of the economy. The hotel industry is clearly one of the most benefited by these activities, as evidenced by the figures offered by the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia, in its Monthly Sample of Hotels, where it is shown that in months like January, hotel occupancy reaches rates above 90%.

Srs Colombia, offers destination services in the city of Cartagena de Indias to important multinational companies that have opened offices in the Colombian Caribbean region.

Bibliography:

Colprensa. (2020, January 26). MENÚ Búsqueda avanzada Ingresar Search MARTES, 28 DE ENERO DE 2020 Cartagena Sucesos Noticias Deportes Política Opinión Sociales Entretenimiento Revistas Clasificados Home > Cultural Los imperdibles del Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias. Retrieved January 28, 2020, from https://www.eluniversal.com.co/cultural/los-imperdibles-del-hay-festival-cartagena-de-indias-HI2291867

El Espectador / Mundo Destinos. (2019, December 31). Los tres eventos culturales con los que Cartagena inicia el 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020, from https://www.elespectador.com/especiales/mundo-destinos/los-tres-eventos-culturales-con-los-que-cartagena-inicia-el-2020-articulo-897930

Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena de Indias. (n.d.). Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena de Indias. Retrieved January 28, 2020, from http://ficcifestival.com/index.php

Hay Festival Cartagena. (2019). Hay Festival Cartagena. Retrieved January 28, 2020, from https://www.hayfestival.com/cartagena/inicio