SFS Contest Festive Outfit by @vanessageorge

In the north of Colombia, Carnival is the most important folkloric celebration, a tradition dating back to the 19th century. Every year the main cities have a festive celebration, being the city of Barranquilla the biggest.

Even though it has a European origin, the Carnival transformed into an expression of the culture and folklore of all the people from the north of the country. The festive outfits are colorful with mythological characteristics. The dances are mixtures of rhythms of drums and gaita. The most common types of music in Carnival are Cumbia and Mapale.

It happens every year, starting on the Friday 47 days before Easter Celebration and ending on the Wednesday of the ashes. On these days the cities stopped, no work, no schools, only celebration. The main streets are closed and people gather in groups to dance and parade for long distances.

It doesn't matter if you are a performer or a spectator, a local or a tourist, you will enjoy the Carnival!

In 2012, the year I got married, it was coincidental with the week of Carnival. There is a tradition in Colombian weddings, at might night, we have a moment at the reception we call “Crazy Hour”. Is an hour where we display a themed celebration. I chose the theme of Carnival for mine.

We whore the typical Carnival outfits and gave all guesses traditional masks for them to wear. A group of professional dancers performed for us and at the end, we all joined them in a celebration.

My wedding day was a very special day, Carnival made it even more special. These are some memories of that day: