ARTS

Colombia is an ethnic mosaic and this richness is reflected in its culture and folklore. The mix of different Indigenous cultures, Spanish and African influences have produced interesting fusions in all artistic expressions of the country.

LITERATURE

Colombia has been the cradle of great writers. The most famous are:

Gabriel García Márquez. Novelist and Nobel Prize winner.
Works: 100 Years of Solitude, The Coronel Doesn't Have Anyone to Write Him, The Smell of Guayaba, Chronicle of a Death Announced, Love in the Time of Cholera.

 

 

Alvaro Mutis. Novelist and poet
Works: The Snow of the Admiral, Ilona Arrived with the Rain, A Beautiful Death, The Last Stop of the Tramp Steamer, Amirbar, Abdul Bashur

 

 

Rafael Pombo. Poet and storyteller
Works: The Hour of Twilight, Prelude to Spring and Rhyming Stories for Children like Simon the Silly, The Little Shepherd Girl, The Car, The Poor Old Lady, the Bandit Cat, The Owl and the Dove, The Boy and the Butterfly, Mirringa Mirronga, The Dolled-Up Pig, Cutufato and his Cat

Jose Asunción Silva. Poet
Work: Nighttime, Bitter Drops

 

PAINTING AND SCULPTURE

The most important Colombian artists are:

Fernando Botero	Alejandro Obregón	Omar Rayo	Edgar Negret	David Manzur

MÚSIC

Music lives and breathes in Colombia -- it's part of the essence of daily Colombian life, with hints of African rhythm from the Caribbean and touches of Andean influence, not to mention its Spanish feel.

Typical Colombian music varies depending on the region in Colombia and where you travel. The most typical Colombian rhythms are: La Cumbia, el pasillo, el torbellino, el bambuco, Los vallenatos and El mapale.

Some of Colombia's most important musicians are:

Shakira: Born in Barranquilla, Shakira is the most famous Colombian singer in the world. She has won many Grammies.
Style: Latin and English Pop
Songs: Si te vas, Antología, Pies descalzos, Donde estas corazón, Estoy aquí, Ojos así, Suerte.

Carlos Vives: Carlitos, as people call him, was born in Santa Marta and brought the folkloric rhythm of vallenato back to life for all the enjoy -- both young and old. The vallenato is the typical Caribbean Coast rhythm. Vives, too, has won various Grammies.
Style: Vallenatos, Latin Fusion Pop.
Songs: La gota fría, La tierra del olvido, Fruta fresca, Dejame entrar, El amor de mi tierra.

Aterciopelados: Andrea Echeverry and Héctor Buitrago managed to fuse rock with the rhythms of Colombia, winning various Grammies.
Style: Rock Pop Latin Fusion
Songs: Bolero Falaz, Florecita rockera, Baracunatana, No necesito, Cosita seria.

Juanes: Juan Esteban is from Medellin, and after Ekhymosis broke up, he began his career as a soloist. He mixes Colombian rhythms with classical rock instruments and has won many grammies.
Style: Latino Pop Fusion.
Songs: Fijate bien, A Dios le pido, La Camisa Negra, Mi Tierra (Ekhymosis)

Toto la Momposina: He is the most famous singer of Colombian Folklore in the world.
Style: Folklore

 

Niche: The most popular group of salsa in the country
Style: Salsa

 

Listen to Colombian music live and some of the most popular Colombian radio stations:
(click on the logo)

 

More information about art and culture in Colombia