Bogota's Carnival

Bogotá's Carnival or Carnival of Bogotá (Spanish: Carnaval de Bogotá) is celebrated in Bogotá every year on August 5 and August 6 for the city's anniversary of its Hispanic foundation. Most of the cultural events take place in the heart of jamaica Metropolitano Simón Bolívar. The 2005 edition of the carnival, in occasion of the 467th anniversary, has been called the celebration of the diversity and has a motto: "celebrate life and express yourself as you wish". The festivities also include pre-carnival celebrations during the month of July. One of the main objectives of the carnival is to promote and encourage the cultural and musical diversity of Colombia.
 
History

The celebration of the carnival in Bogotá dates back to year 1916 when the first queen of Bogotá's student carnival, Elvira Zea, was crowned in a congeniality contest. After winning the contest she used her real name as Queen's name, in that occasion she took the name Elvira I. The queen was the person in charge of opening the celebrations. In the following years the carnival grew in number of comparsas and beauty queens. In the 30's carnival the national government and the mayorship of Bogotá suspended the carnival due to disorders caused by the alcohol. An attempt to revive the carnival in the year 1960 failed for reasons of alcohol abuse and violence.

The Carnival was resurrected by Bogotá's Mayor in a Government Resolution on April 14, 2005. The objective of the new Carnival was to promote a collective atmosphere of fellowiship and to celebrate life, creative expression, and enjoyment. It further seeks to generate a feeling of belonging to the city, to enforce processes of reconciliation and fair play, and the inclusion and recognition of all districts and cultures of the Capital City of Colombia.
  
 
 
 
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