Republic of Colombia

An introduction Culture, society and politics.

By Olga Lucía Patiño for SDA BocconiMarch 2010-

September 2011 updated

“A nation in spite of itself”David Bushnell on his book about Colombia, 1999.

Where is it?

South America

Where is it?

Politics and Conflict

Politics and Conflict

• Democracy with presidential system (4 years) with the possibility to re-elect the president. Independency chart declared in 1810 and final independence obtained in 1819.

• Several political parties with low trust and high skepticism for voting (about 60%) according to global trend.

• Internal war during the last 60 years with old “guerrillas” regarding communist and marxist revolutions.

• Frequent conflicts among groups mentioned above, related to drug mobs and illegal armies created in the past decades by unpleased citizens and the government itself (paramilitary groups).

• Political stability historically speaking along the past.

Natural Resources

• First emerald producer in the world, second for flowers.

• Divided in 5 natural regions separating the mountains, plains, coasts and jungle.

• Producer of fruits, coffee and bio-diesel from the palm tree.

• 28 Natural Parks and Special Reserves• Whole year harvest because of its geographical

position in the Equator line.

Natural Resources

Society and Demographics

• About 48 million people, and 15% concentrated in Bogotá, D.C.

• About 3 million refugees without fixed home because of the conflict, (12% in the world) under this condition.

• Multicultural societies, about 60% white and “mestizos”, 30% indigenous and 10% african-american.

• U$ 1800/year per capita.• Main cause of death is cardiovascular

disease, then comes the war.

Society and Demographics

Arts and Show Business

Arts and Show Business

Classic Theaters- Teatro Colón de Bogotá- Teatro Nacional- Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santodomingo- Teatro Amira de la Rosa- Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe- Teatro Municipal de Cali- Other theaters from the private sector

The Arts and Culture are regulated by the Ministerio de Cultura (Secretary of Culture) www.mincultura.gov.co

Museums- Gold Museum- National Museum of Colombia- Modern Art Museum- Antioquia Museum- Inquisition Museum- Colonial Museum- Other little public museums- Private art galleries

Arts and Show BusinessFestivals - Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá

(every 2 years)- Carnival of Barranquilla- Carnival of the white and black people in

Pasto (every 2 years)- Carnival of the Devil in Riosucio- Cinema Festival in Cartagena- More than 100 local beauty contests - About 20 local festivals of dance, theater and

music Coffee’s International Beauty Contest Festival at the Park in Bogotá Festival of the “vallenato” king

Another important events- Flowers Fair of Medellín (including the

passing of the “silleteros”)- Santiago de Cali City Fair- Colombiamoda in Medellín city- Exposition Fairs along the year at

Corferias www.corferias.com

Arts and Show Business

Cultural Goods and Heritage

- San Agustin Archeological Park- Lost city of Tayrona- Manor of San Pedro Alejandrino- San Felipe Castle- City of Guatavita- Chiquinquirá Sanctuary in Boyacá- Las Lajas Sanctuary in Nariño- Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá- Nation’s General Archive- National Library- Several public libraries sponsored by the

private sector.

Arts and Show Business

Amusement and Cultural Entertainment

- Coffee National Park- Maloka Interactive Center for Science and Technology- Salitre Magico- Mundo Aventura Park- Thousands of cinemas and Malls

Arts and Show Business

Grazie Mille

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