Barranquilla, Colombia, Feb 18 (EFE).- A massive parade with thousands of musicians and dancers called the battle of flowers, marking the event’s 120th anniversary, on Saturday kicked off the Barranquilla carnival, Colombia’s most popular and oldest street festival.
Theater personalities in traditional attire onboard special floats, music, dances, performances and visual arts reaffirming the identity of Barranquilla and its folk culture were the main theme of the parade, that dates back to the end of the Thousand Days’ War in the early 20th century, the bloodiest civil war in Colombia’s history.
Under a scorching sun – with the temperature rising above 36 degrees Celsius at noon – over 15,000 participants joined the over-five hour long procession, while around 400,000 spectators swayed to the different rhythms of music being played and performed.
A total of 73 folk groups, 60 costume groups including individual and group parties, especially dressed “queens” of the carnival riding 18 floats and live orchestras playing atop 20 wagons entertained the viewers, packed on balconies and footpaths.
