There is nothing more joyful to the people of Huila than their annual date with their roots: the festivals of San Juan and San Pedro. Here we are welcoming you to the 63rd version of the Bambuco Festival, organized jointly by the Mayor’s Office of Neiva and the Government of Huila.
Until next July 1st, Neiva hosts numerous cultural, artistic, craft, gastronomic and musical activities. Parades, reigns, parades, music gatherings, concerts and many more events give life to these festivities, which are the authentic representation of our roots.
Regarding the origin of the festivities, the Huilense Academy of History says that “The houses were arranged, painted and cleaned to receive the visitors who arrived the day before; The fabrics were bought to make the dresses that were to be worn for the first time on Saint John’s Day. Likewise, they bought fique or canvas espadrilles, pindo or hippie hats, seasonings for meat, flour for biscuits, bottles of ‘chirrincho’, cigars and flasks. The dance, with bamboo, lasted until dawn, when after a succulent breakfast they took the path to the nearest river to bathe. It was the time when women wore their new chingues to immerse themselves in the waters. The tipleros could sing dedicated couplets to the peasant women about their querencias…”
The celebration of San Juan and San Pedro is the letter of introduction of the people of Huila to Colombia and the world. The festivals give identity to the Opita people and are already part of those of us who were born and live here. Therefore, with pride, we must welcome these festivities.
As residents of Neiva and Huila, our goals should be to enjoy each event of the Bambuco Festival in harmony and contribute to its normal development.
The authorities have enormous challenges, but the main one is security. In the midst of the wave of extortion and terrorist attacks that has affected the city in recent weeks, locals and visitors should feel safe in Neiva.
