La Guajira initiatives promote traditional vallenato music

Efforts to preserve traditional vallenato music are expanding in La Guajira through new educational and competitive programs. The second edition of the ‘Semillero Guajiro’ contest will take place in Riohacha on November 13 and 14 as part of Expoguajira. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce of La Guajira, the competition targets children aged 10 to 12 to foster generational continuity and cultural roots.

In a separate initiative, the Cocha Molina Foundation and the University of La Guajira have established an accordionist training program across several locations, including Riohacha, Maicao, Fonseca, and Villanueva. Led by vallenato artist Gonzalo Arturo ‘El Cocha’ Molina, the program provides free instruction to university students, focusing on traditional rhythms such as paseo and merengue.