BTN News: The annual Desfile de Silleteros in Medellín is an event deeply embedded in the hearts of Antioquians, celebrating the rich tradition of the region through a vibrant display of creativity and heritage. This year, the 2024 edition was particularly poignant, as it saw Juana Soto, a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome, make history as the first silletera with this condition to participate in the parade. Her participation was not just a personal triumph but also a symbol of inclusion and the resilience of the human spirit.
Juana, who hails from the vereda El Llano in the corregimiento of Santa Elena, carried a small but significant silleta with the messages ‘Amor y paz’ and ‘Tradición sin límites’. Her creation featured a floral depiction of herself holding the symbol of peace. When asked about the figure on her silleta, Juana proudly declared, “Esa soy yo.” Her journey to this moment was far from easy. Juana underwent open-heart surgery for a congenital heart condition when she was just four months old. Her grandfather, a veteran of the parade with over 40 years of participation, had been awarded the highest honor of the fair: the Absolute Winner of the parade. Juana’s participation, therefore, carried forward a family legacy while breaking new ground.
The Desfile de Silleteros 2024 marked Juana’s long-awaited debut after three years of eager anticipation. Her mother, Mariluz Grajales, shared that on the day of the lottery, which determined the new silleteros for the parade, Juana was so excited that she couldn’t stop trembling. Juana participated in the Emblematic category, and her enthusiasm was palpable as she asked everyone with a camera to take her picture, fully embracing the role of the star she had become. “She brought peace, love, and kindness because that’s what they are,” Mariluz said, referring to Juana’s embodiment of these virtues through her silleta.
The tradition of being a silletero is one that runs deep in Santa Elena, and Wilson Soto knows this all too well. Wilson, with his aguadeño hat, alpargatas, blue pants, white shirt, and carriel, has never missed a parade. He spent years waiting for his chance to be featured as a silletero, a dream that finally came true in 2023 when his stepson’s husband gave up his spot for him. For Wilson, participating in the parade is the pinnacle of recognition for anyone from Santa Elena, a sentiment echoed by many others from the region.
Wilson’s silleta competed in the Traditional category, a reflection of the enduring cultural heritage that he has cherished since childhood. “The first thing they ask you when you’re from Santa Elena is, ‘Are you a silletero?’ If you say ‘no,’ you feel sad, but now that I am one, I have much more pride in being from Santa Elena,” Wilson shared with a smile. His nephew, Camilo Tamayo Soto, also participated, entering the Junior category with a silleta featuring a three-dimensional truck and a powerful message: “For every tree we cut down, it’s a life we take away.” His silleta also included a depiction of the Soledad or Barranquero, the emblematic bird of the region. Camilo’s creation earned him third place in his category, and he celebrated this achievement with his uncle, both proud of their contributions to the parade.
The parade route stretched 2.8 kilometers from the Avenida Regional, near the Guayaquil bridge, to Plaza Mayor, with hundreds of silletas, large and small, on display. The older participants rested, recharging after a night of final touches, while the younger ones, like Juana, bounced from silleta to silleta, admiring the works of their peers. The crowd, a mix of locals and international visitors, cheered enthusiastically, often asking the silleteros to spin around, a popular tradition that adds to the festive atmosphere.
In terms of awards, the 2024 Desfile de Silleteros saw Dorigo de Jesús Zapata Alzate win the Traditional category, while María Carolina Atehortúa Londoño took home the prize in the Emblematic category. Edwin Camilo Ramírez Atehortúa triumphed in the Artistic category, and Juan Ernesto Ortiz Grajales not only won the Monumental category but was also named the Absolute Winner of the parade, a title that represents the pinnacle of the silletero tradition. The Commercial category was won by Juan Camilo Atehortúa Guarín, and in the Junior and Infant categories, the winners were Juan Camilo Atehortúa Guarín and Julián Ramírez Amariles, respectively.
The judges considered several factors in determining the winners, including the variety and quantity of flowers, the aesthetic appeal, the attire of the silletero, creativity, and adherence to the parade rules and guidelines. This year, over 40 types of flowers were used, including roses, daisies, pom-poms, hydrangeas, and araucarias, showcasing the biodiversity and floral richness of the region.
Out of 530 participants—430 adults, 50 children, and 50 young people—15 jurors and 49 expert evaluators carefully selected the top entries. The competition was fierce, with 10 finalists chosen for each category, and the winners were then determined from among the top five. Ultimately, the 2024 Desfile de Silleteros was a celebration of tradition, creativity, and the enduring spirit of the Antioquian people, with each participant adding their unique voice to the vibrant tapestry of the event.
