Gala Talentos Group – Colombia
Travelling through dance: an extraordinary concept that encapsulates the essence of my recent adventure with the Gran Gala Talentos Group. It’s not just about moving from one place to another; it’s about transcending boundaries, breaking cultural barriers, and immersing oneself in the rhythmic heartbeat of Colombia. As the vibrant melodies filled the air, and the dancers gracefully moved to the beats, it became more than just a performance, it was a journey through the soul of a nation. The fusion of passion and rhythm created a unique experience that allowed me to explore Colombia in a way I had never imagined.
With the initial notes from Fredy Martinez and the collective inspiration of my fellow dancers at Talentos Group, this article becomes a celebration of culture, diversity, and the vibrant spirit that defines Colombia. As we gracefully waltz through the tapestry of Colombian dance, every step unfolds a new chapter of this enchanting story. Through the beats, movements, and shared passion, I discover the intricacies of a culture that goes far beyond what meets the eye. So, let’s immerse ourselves in the rhythm and learn about Colombia through the universal language of dance
We, the passionate members of Talentos, stand united in our mission to bring the vibrant hues of Latin American culture to the heart of the United Kingdom and Europe. Through the mesmerising mediums of dance, theatre, and music, we weave a tapestry that transcends borders and resonates with diverse communities. Our latest endeavour, the Talentos Grand Gala, unfolded its brilliance in the lively streets of London. This event, carefully shaped by the vision of Fredy Martinez, became a testament to our dedication and the collaborative spirit of our talented artists. From the rhythmic beats of traditional dances to the soul-stirring performances on the theatrical stage, every moment was a celebration of Latin American richness. This showcase wasn’t just a performance; it was an invitation for the audience to immerse themselves in the cultural mosaic we proudly represent. As we danced and expressed, our collective energy radiated, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity that defines Latin American heritage
Colombian Folklore: A Multifaceted Tapestry of Tradition and Diversity In the heart of Colombia, folklore is not just a performance; it’s the very essence that pulses through our veins. It’s an intricate language, expressed through a myriad of traditions that span oral narratives, material customs, and joyous celebrations.
Oral Traditions: Our folklore comes alive through the art of storytelling, where myths, legends, couplets, sayings, and jokes become the threads that weave the fabric of our cultural identity. Passed down through generations, these tales echo the values and customs that define us as Colombians.
Colombian folklore is a rich tapestry, challenging to encapsulate in a single sentence due to its vastness. It encompasses our very body language, reflective of Colombian values and customs. Expressed through oral traditions like storytelling, myths, legends, couplets, sayings, and jokes, our folklore extends to material customs, spanning traditional styles to intricately crafted handmade instruments. Rituals and celebrations, including music festivals, beauty contests, dance competitions, Christmas, and more, form an integral part of our folklore.
The Grand Gala Talentos 2019 aimed to intricately weave together all these diverse elements, crafting an artistic dance journey that could be best described as a cultural map of Colombia.
The event unfolded on December 14th at the Bolivar Hall, a venue with a capacity of 140 people. The vibrant affair boasted a full house, featuring 22 folklore dances representing every region of Colombia. With 20 dedicated dancers pouring their hearts and passion into the performances, the stage came alive with colourful choreographies.
Fredy Martinez, the director of the group, conceptualised the show with his vivid imagination. He intricately linked each dance with a theatrical representation, offering a colloquial portrayal of the daily life of people in these diverse regions. Fredy, along with his team of dancers, was thrilled to showcase their work to the community. On this special evening, they successfully spread joy through this light-hearted performance during the festive Christmas season.
Fredy inspiring introduction: “Colombia is a land where butterflies and flowers can draw landscapes full of colour over the mountains. Colombia is the land where you can find the friendliest and most helpful people on earth, who will make you feel part of their family. Colombia is a land where every single city and town has a traditional dance or music festival at any time of the year. And of course, it is also the land where you can taste the best coffee in the world.”
DANCING JOURNEY THROUGH COLOMBIA
Nariño
In the heart of the Andes mountain range, to the south of Colombia, lies a paradise brimming with contrasts, where the past and present coexist in perfect harmony. Colours meld amidst traditions that seamlessly integrate into its rich culture. Every visitor takes away a unique story from this city, which, despite the passage of time, has retained its soul. The humility of its people is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who journey through. Welcome to San Juan de Pasto…
The opening dance featured the Miranchurito and Guaneña melodies, both musical rhythms that symbolise the cultural vibrancy of the Southwest of Colombia, particularly in the Department of Nariño. This region, which shares borders with the Pacific Ocean and Ecuador, is known for these two musical compositions, considered early forms of Bambuco.
Throughout history, these rhythms have echoed as anthems during significant battles. In contemporary times, they continue to be sung and danced with profound emotion, fostering a strong sense of social belonging, especially during national and religious holidays and festivals like the Black and White Carnival.
Cundinamarca & Boyacá
The history of this region traces back to the Muisca indigenous people, and its name signifies the “condor’s nest”: the land of condors! This is the region where I was born. 🙂
Pasillo: This dance originated in the central Andes Mountains as a symbol of freedom and joy during the times of independence. In the early 19th century, it emerged as an adaptation of the Austrian waltz and other European dances. Over the years, it evolved into a musical symbol in Colombia due to Hispanic American miscegenation: Mestizaje. The new upper-middle-class society sought a dance more in line with a more aristocratic scene, resulting in a local blend with native instruments such as the tiple-bandola and the guitar. It represents the fusion of two rhythms and dances of very different origins: the Torbellino of our natives and the European waltz.
In essence, in Colombia, there are two distinctive types of Pasillo, although various adaptations exist in other parts of the country.
Pasillo Instrumental is more characteristic of romantic love songs, nostalgic themes, and pilgrimage gatherings. It is represented tonight with the melody Pasillo de Cundinamarca.
Torbellino, a traditional folk dance in Boyacá, is a type of music with a popular character, often used as a complement for rhymes or songs. In this interpretation, the farmers seek to express simplicity and spontaneity, depicting scenes such as ploughing the land for agriculture. The performance included a theatrical representation of the daily life of countryside people in the region. The scene also reflected the joy of the rural community after learning that Egan Bernal, born in Zipaquira, part of this region, won the Tour de France 2019, bringing happiness to the entire region and country.
Tolima
Tolima offers an imposing landscape, characterised by valleys and the charm of the Andes Mountains. This diverse region is rich in wildlife and fairy-tale legends, contributing to a vibrant cultural scene filled with life and music.
Bambuco Palo Negro: “Que viva el Tolima!” This was the second dance in which I participated, Palo Negro, a charming traditional display from the Andean-Coffee region. The folklore choreography incorporated projection elements that respected the culture and tradition, making it a delightful experience both to dance and watch.
This act featured a theatrical representation of Celio & Celimo, two fictional humorous and lazy characters well-known in the region, who undoubtedly added a touch of laughter to both the show and all the rehearsals.
Huila
We then moved on to El Huila, a department located between the Eastern and Central mountain ranges and traversed by the valley of the Magdalena River. It is the home of one of the most representative dances and events in Colombia. This region exudes human warmth, and the locals take great pride in enjoying the graceful San Juanero. These energetic dances are intangible heritage landmarks that convey the joyful sounds of this charming land.
This act also featured a theatrical representation of the National Bambuco Contest, a central event in the National Folk Festival held annually in the city of Neiva, Colombia. The contest has been held continuously for 58 versions from 1961 to 2019.
Bambuco San Pedro en el Espinal: This dance captures the joy of the Tolima people during the San Pedro Festival in El Espinal, Tolima. It celebrates an instrumental success in Colombian music. The festival, held in June each year, includes events like the National Contest of San Pedro and the Municipal Contest of Comparsas.
Antioquia
The dance journey then continued to northwest Colombia, specifically Antioquia, a department nestled within the Andes Mountains and extending towards the Caribbean Sea. This beautiful land is infused with the scents of brandy, aguardiente, and coffee. Women in this region adorn their hair with some of the most beautiful flowers in the world, including the exquisite orchids for which Antioquia is renowned.
Pasillo Voliao: In Antioquia, men court women with music and guitar, dressed in ponchos and carrying carriels as they dance the graceful Pasillo Voliao.
Baile Bravo: Originating in Antioquia, the Baile Bravo is a distinctive dance of the Paisas, spreading its vibrant flair through the mountains of Caldas and Risaralda. Today’s Parrandera music is the result of a transformation process that evolved from the waltz, passing through the Pasillo along the way.
Pasillo Fiestero: Like all the other dances, this one is the result of a rhythmic transformation, exhibiting a dizzying and fast pace characteristic of popular festivals. Fredy and Johana’s interpretation of this dance is one of my favourites; I adore their body language, and energetic yet flirtatious movements, making them a playful dancing couple every time. I absolutely love it every single time!
The eastern plains of Colombia – Los Llanos Orientales
Our dancing journey then transported us to a world of dramatic sunsets and exciting encounters. The eastern plains of Colombia, or “Los llanos” as they are known, are part of a unique culture that has remained unbroken for centuries. In this region, cattle farmers gather to enjoy their much-loved music. They dance to the traditional joropo, while the harp, maracas, and tiny cuatro guitars soothe their everyday journeys with their heavenly concert of rhythms.
In this region, the sunrise paints the plains with the deepest orange hues, and ranchers ride with the fresh wind in their faces, singing the most beautiful verses of savanna songs. Their strong foot-stepping dance awakens the cows as they graze across the immense plains.
Llanero Si Soy Llanero: This is a song by the renowned Cholo Valderrama, a singer and composer from Boyacá who spent his childhood in the eastern plains of Colombia, specifically in Casanare. The song vividly describes his experiences of rural labour, narrating the landscape along the shores of the Pauto River. While El Cholo is an institution in Colombian Llanera music, he is also the most internationally known singer-songwriter in this genre. The dance was performed by Jonathan and Sandra, whose remarkable charisma and talent infused the performance with astonishing energy.
Pacific Coast
We then carried on to border our coasts, back to our huge African heritage, the Pacific & Chocó region, which is also one of the five major natural regions of Colombia. Ecologically, this region is a truly biodiversity marvel. Melodically, the sounds of the marimba de chonta adorn the yearly visits of the humpback whales. In the Pacific, the distinctive black beaches contrast with the green of its dense vegetation. An exceptional combination that, at the pace of the currulaos, hooks anyone who visits the region.
Baile Makerule: This is one of the songs I cherished the most during our preparation for the Gala. Not just because it took me a long time and effort to harmonize it into the choreography with the other dances, but also because I listened to this song so many times that the story behind it still resonates in a humorous way when I dance it. It relates to a black-skinned gringo “Chombo” named Mac Duller… legend or truth.. Nobody knows. Later known as “Makerule”, who was a baker of Andagoya, in Choco, and who was ruined by trusting his bread (dejar todo al fiado). The story continues as he was so obsessed with his bakery full-time that his wife left him for another man..
Baile Currulao: Currulao was an energetic folk dance that symbolised courtship. Its foundation came from the African descendant culture of the region. The word “currulao” refers to the term “cununao,” alluding to the African drums that played a vital role in the folklore of the Colombian Pacific region: the cununos.
Caribbean Coast
The region of the Barranquilla Carnival, where people had nothing to do with the divine mandate, and Cumbias and children were always dancing.
Cumbia Baile el Pescador de Toto la Momposina
Baile la ChichaMaya: La Guajira
Conchita – Bullerenge: Another of my favourites, such as energy, a song by Petrona Martinez.
Lastly, the farewell dance was with all the dancers on the stage, featuring the Barranquilla Carnival that we all loved in Colombia. It is listed as Cultural Heritage of the Nation and a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This fantastic celebration of colours blends all the history of the folklore of the Caribbean.
My special thanks to my special friends, Yanet, Misha, Paulo, and the people of CS & Internations who attended my invitation! It was amazing to have you all there 🙂
MORE ABOUT TALENTOS
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Thanks a lot for reading!
Dancing is the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts because it is not mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself. …Q
“While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. This is why I dance.” Hans B
Love
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from Jenny
Jenny Sky Is The Limit 
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