The National Porro Festival, held annually in San Pelayo, Córdoba, will become an international event starting in 2025. The announcement was made by the governor of Córdoba, Erasmo Zuleta Bechara, during the opening of the 47th edition of the festival on June 29, 2024.
During her speech in the Simón Bolívar park in San Pelayo, Zuleta Bechara revealed that next year the festival will open its doors to the participation and presence of artists and visitors from all over the world. This decision marks a milestone in the history of the event, which until now has focused primarily on the promotion and celebration of the joint at the national level.
The governor highlighted the importance of the festival as a significant cultural manifestation for the department of Córdoba and the Colombian Caribbean. “The joint festival is a festivity of an entire department and of our country. These parties make me proud, they are our identity,” said Zuleta. Bechara.
The internationalization of the festival seeks to expand the reach and recognition of porro pelayero beyond national borders. This initiative is expected to attract a more diverse audience and encourage cultural exchanges around this traditional musical genre.
The announcement was made in the context of the opening of the festival, which this year coincides with the celebration of the 69th anniversary of the University of Córdoba. Zuleta Bechara took the opportunity to emphasize the connection between culture and education, noting that “we work to strengthen the synergy between culture and knowledge.”
The decision to internationalise the festival is in line with efforts to promote local culture and boost tourism in the region. San Pelayo, known as the ‘World Capital of Porro’, could see an increase in its international projection thanks to this initiative.
Although specific details on how the internationalization will be implemented have yet to be revealed, more information about changes and additions to the festival format is expected to be announced in the coming months.
The National Porro Festival has been a meeting point for musicians, dancers and lovers of this musical genre for decades. With its international expansion, a new stage is opening that could bring opportunities for cultural and economic growth for San Pelayo and the department of Córdoba in general.
