BTN News: The vibrant city of Barranquilla is set to become a cultural epicenter in the second half of the year, thanks to an ambitious initiative launched through the Convocatoria Distrital de Apoyos Concertados. With a substantial investment of $2 billion pesos, this program will benefit 57 diverse artistic and cultural projects, aiming to strengthen the cultural fabric of the city. The initiative is part of a broader effort to foster local talent, enhance community engagement, and create inclusive spaces for cultural exchange across Barranquilla.
Juan Ospino Acuña, Secretary of Culture and Heritage, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “The Convocatoria Distrital de Apoyos Concertados has enabled the realization of numerous cultural projects. With over 400 participating initiatives and 57 organizations involved, we are igniting the engines of Barranquilla’s cultural agenda, spreading the joy of the arts to every corner of the city. Barranquilla is on a new level, with culture as its driving force.”
The Convocatoria Distrital de Apoyos Concertados is designed to empower local artists, cultural managers, and organizations by providing them with the resources needed to bring their creative visions to life. Beyond supporting these groups, the initiative seeks to increase citizen participation in cultural activities and to foster a sense of community through shared cultural experiences.
The rich lineup of events began with the Festival Internacional de Microteatro de Barranquilla, held from July 25 to 28, and will continue until December 12. These events range from literary workshops and storytelling sessions to larger-scale festivals, engaging more than 80,000 people across the city’s five localities.
Among the projects supported by this initiative are both emerging and long-established events, including the renowned Barranquijazz Festival, the Audiovisual Author’s Salon, the Cinemateca del Caribe, the Festival Cine a la Calle, the Festival Internacional de Danzas de la Confraternidad, the Festival Internacional de Boleros, the Festival Internacional de Cuenteros “El Caribe Cuenta,” as well as cultural programming from the Museo de Arte Moderno de Barranquilla and the Alliance Française.
Manuel Alzamora, director of the Fundación Mira al Centro, praised the administration’s commitment to supporting culture, stating, “This year has been remarkable, with a $2 billion peso investment that is crucial for all cultural creators and for the many long-standing events in the city’s cultural agenda.”
Similarly, MarÃa Fernanda Morales, director of the Cinemateca del Caribe, highlighted the importance of such support, saying, “This is a significant boost that allows institutions like the Cinemateca and other winners to strengthen the cultural initiatives we have been developing for so long. It enables us to offer the city high-quality performances, featuring national and international guests. It’s truly invaluable to have the support of the Secretariat of Culture and the Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla as partners in our endeavors.”
The Convocatoria Distrital de Apoyos Concertados forms part of the new phase of the Sistema Distrital de EstÃmulos, which for 2024 has an overall budget of $4 billion pesos. These funds are allocated to support more than 200 projects across various cultural and artistic disciplines, including ethnic diversity, cultural heritage, Carnival creators, and national and international artistic exchanges.
As Barranquilla continues to invest in its cultural landscape, the city is not only preserving its rich traditions but also setting the stage for a vibrant and inclusive future. This initiative ensures that culture remains a cornerstone of the city’s identity, enriching the lives of its citizens and solidifying Barranquilla’s position as a cultural beacon in Colombia.
