Colors of Bogota - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Diversity of cultures remains the main feature of the residents of Bogota. The city really amazes visitors by its heritage as it is inhabited by various ethnic classes. The native people of Bogota are often called "chechakos". These people have won a reputation of cold and reserved people among their countrymen and tourists. Many can even call the character of these people arrogant - the local residents always tend to be first everywhere and in everything. Such dedication and perseverance make these people truly irreplaceable workers. For many of them professional work occupies the first place in their lives. On the other hand, the residents of Bogota are wonderful and outgoing friends who love and know how to have fun in a circle of close friends.

The restraint of the local people is usually exposed only when they deal with unfamiliar people. In a friendly company they may be surprisingly excessively talkative and emotional. They are interested in virtually everything. During a conversation chechakos can easily support any subject. Religion occupies a significant part and has a great importance in the life of the indigenous inhabitants of the city. They are aware of numerous religious customs and traditions starting from an early age. When it comes to communicating with visitors, the residents of Bogota behave quite restrained, although when tourists visit local outlets and retail shops sellers will certainly be very hospitable to visitors. The reason for this is in the fact that sellers in the local markets and owners of restaurants have already got accustomed to a large number of foreigners. In suburban areas of the city even ordinary people may invite guests to make a walk through the city and will gladly tell them several really beautiful legends connected with various attractions of Bogota. Of course, tourists should thank the locals for such attention and reward them by leaving a small gratuity.

It is worth noting that the locals are very proud, therefore, they accept any reward with great oppression and gratitude. Difficult financial situation makes people earn money on the streets of the city. Quite often even children have to work in order to help their families. While walking through the streets of the city, you will be surely amazed by simply amazing order that prevails everywhere. Littering is not accepted in Bogota, as well as appearing in public while drunk, or talking too loudly in public places. The local police strictly monitors keeping of the public order. By the way, the local policemen have also become a true attraction for tourists. The main reason for this is their beautiful form, as well as numerous weapons and numerous badges. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The capital of Colombia hosts many interesting festivals, which would be of great interest to anyone who wants to get acquainted with the culture of Colombia, and its capital in particular. The most famous one, perhaps, is Festival Estéreo Picnic. It is held at the end of March for 3 days and has already won a respectable place among popular festivals in Latin America. The festival headliners are always famous, its organizers try to surprise visitors as never before. Here you can listen to everything you like - genres range from rock to hip-hop and electro. In addition to music, the audience can enjoy installations and sculptures, as well as a flea market operating here for these days. The primary venue is Parque Deportivo.

In mid-May, you can witness such an event as Baum Festival. Taking place in Multiparque, it is dedicated to electronic music and considered one of the biggest events of its kind. Another event gathers all people who can call themselves "hipsters", and it is held in Desierto de la Tatacoa. The festival is named after the desert and falls on mid-October. Like the previous event, it is dedicated to electronic music. A deserted party - what could sound more hippy-like? Therefore, the event is definitely recommended to everyone who wants to join their culture.

Another no less interesting and famous festival is called Festivales al Parque. This includes six events devoted to different genres: rock (Rock al Parque held in early July in Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar), jazz (Jazz al Parque held in the Parque Metropolitano el Country at the end of September), hip-hop (Hip-hop al Parque taking place in the beginning October in Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar), salsa (Salsa al Parque held in early November in the same park as the previous event), as well as the most "Colombian" event - Colombia al Parque that falls on the end of July . Despite the fact that among the headliners you can meet many familiar names, which applies to any event, the festival is absolutely free of charge.

The most popular and famous of them are Rock al Parque and Colombia al Parque. The latter event is strongly recommended to all those wishing to get to know the culture of Bogota as closely as possible. This is the time of traditional Colombian music such as cumbia, vallenato, and champeta. Needless to say, performers are always local, and this is an amazing chance to hear authentic Colombian singing. By the way, any event from this series is accompanied by fairs where you can buy interesting souvenirs.

Bogota's arts festivals are also remarkable and definitely worth attending. Thus, Feria Internacional del Libro is, perhaps, one of the biggest events of its kind in the whole of Latin America that turns Bogotá into the world capital of publishing. It traditionally gathers writers, editors, graphic designers, journalists, literary agents, booksellers. In total, more than 400 sub-events are organized as part of the festival. The festival starts in mid-April and lasts until the beginning of May.

One of the largest theater festivals in Latin America is held in Bogota. It's about Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro where different city locations serve as the venues. The date varies between March and April. The event is visited by theatrical companies coming from all over the world. A variety of genres is prepared for the audience: circus performances, modern dances, children's theater, comedy, drama, classical theater. At the end of October, Gran Salón of Corferias hosts an art exhibition called ARTBO, during which people can enjoy many original works of art.

There is also a series of exhibitions and fairs called Corferias, and together they form a very unusual mix. Each month there is more than one exhibition, and you need to keep an eye on posters if you don't want to miss an important fair. The venue is Corferias Exhibition Center. Also, the capital of Colombia hosts three festivals dedicated to the cinema - Festival de Cine de Bogotá (held in mid-September), Eurocine (its date falls in April), and Festival de Cortos de Bogotá (held in early December).