Bogotá Council Approves Carranga Festival

The Bogotá City Council voted to institutionalize the Festival de la Carranga, an annual event celebrating the traditional folk music of the altiplano cundiboyacense. The agreement, identified as projects 779 and 827 of 2025, obliges the local administration to provide resources and logistics for concerts, academic workshops, and gastronomic fairs that feature local and national carranga groups.

Council members emphasized the cultural significance of carranga as a narrative of rural life and environmental stewardship. Leandro Castellanos, one of the proponents, said the festival is "a act of cultural justice for the campesinos and an opportunity for new generations to connect with our musical heritage." The city expects the festival to boost local tourism, create jobs for artists, and integrate with Bogotá’s Creative Districts network.

The inaugural edition will be held in public plazas and metropolitan parks, featuring instruments such as the requinto, tiple, guitar, and guacharaca, honoring pioneers like Jorge Velosa.