Colombia, a country of many faces

Colombia is a country with a rich cultural and natural heritage; it is a modern, urban country full of contrasts. It has a multicultural and democratic society that is undergoing great change—it is a country of inherited customs and traditions constantly in communication with all aspects of present day society.

From pre-Hispanic Colombia, represented by the pre-Columbian figurine that we have chosen as our symbol in Guadalajara, to present-day Colombia, difficult to encompass due to of its multiple faces, we have taken the colors and faces we wish to exhibit in Mexico: the paintings of Andrés de Santa María, an Impressionist painter educated in France; a sample from the Museo del Oro collection, which is unique in the world; an exhibit focusing on the influence of Mexican popular culture in Colombia; and a photography exhibit that features Colombia's most important contemporary writers.

Our borderless, crossover musical spirit brought to Mexico all of Colombia's diverse rhythms, which merges indigenous musical traditions with Afro-Colombian and European influences and contemporary sounds as well. Our music graced the evenings in the fairgrounds' Esplanade.

The academic program focused on literary creations, our public library programs and the promotion of reading activities, all of them tools for the undeniable progress of the individual and society. It also dealt with problems shared by both Mexico and Colombia, the issue of humanistic and political exchange between both countries and the great challenges we face as Latin American countries.

We would like to point out that through García Márquez, Mutis and Vallejo, Colombia has developed strong literary bonds with Mexico. These are all, among other important colombian writers, authors that have lived and written some of their most important works in Mexico. FIL's homage to Álvaro Mutis was, most of all, the recognition of the hospitable spirit of Mexico that has provided a home to such an important and illustrious Colombian writer.

We brought to Mexico the best of our cultural production—including publishing which has been one of Latin America's strongest industries—and film, which has developed tremendously in recent years.

Colombia is a country of contrasts—it is urban at the same time that it has marvelous natural richness; it has a proud indigenous heritage at the same time that it is in continuous dialogue with cultures the world over. Colombia came to Guadalajara to show its true face as a country of diversity, par excellence.