Latest News

A pre-Columbian flute is one of many artifacts in the exhibition Colombia: En un aliento. Photo courtesy: Banco de la República.

Colombia in a Breath: Wind Instruments That Tell the Story of a Nation

By Richard Emblin - January 29, 2026

Musical instruments are far more than tools for producing sound: they embody the cultural identity of a territory, carrying spiritual meanings, collective memory, and the deep-rooted expressions that shape a community’s history. Colombia en un Aliento 2026 (Colombia in a Breath 2026) invites audiences on a sonic journey through the country’s wind instruments, encouraging reflection […]

Paradisum by Recirquel explores the myth of rebirth following the silence of a destroyed world. Photo: Bálint Hirling/Teatro Mayor

Bogotá’s Teatro Mayor Presents 2026 Season, Germany Guest Nation

By The City Paper Staff - November 26, 2025

The Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo has unveiled its 2026 programme, outlining 116 productions and 178 performances across opera, dance, theatre, music, circus and family shows. The announcement reinforces the theatre’s role as one of Bogotá’s leading cultural institutions, bringing national and international artists to audiences across the capital. A highlight of the year […]

China’s Ruifeng Lin Wins Bogotá’s First International Violin Competition

By The City Paper Staff - November 8, 2025

Bogotá brought its inaugural International Violin Competition to a rousing close on Saturday night, capping a week of performances that reshaped the city’s classical music landscape and signaled the arrival of a new cultural tradition. The grand finale, held at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo, unfolded as both a celebration of virtuosity and […]

Bogotá Opens First International Violin Competition With Latin American Celebration

By The City Paper Staff - October 30, 2025

Bogotá is preparing for a milestone in its cultural calendar as it inaugurates the first edition of the Bogotá International Violin Competition on October 30, an ambitious event that aims to position the Colombian capital on the global map of classical music. Organized by the Mayor’s Office through the Secretariat of Culture, Recreation and Sport, […]

Petro: Colombia’s President Without a Visa, Without Restraint

By Richard Emblin - September 28, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro had his U.S. visa revoked after urging American soldiers to defy President Trump. The move drew swift condemnation, deepening fears that Petro’s incendiary rhetoric is isolating Colombia diplomatically while fueling domestic political turmoil.

Bogotá’s International Sacred Music Festival Returns with Four Weeks of ‘Glory’

By Richard Emblin - September 4, 2025

Bogotá will host the 14th International Sacred Music Festival from September 10 to October 5, featuring 750 artists from 16 countries in 40 concerts, lectures, and workshops. Centered on the theme “La Gloria,” the festival spans 20 venues, with Verdi’s Nabucco opening and Brahms’s German Requiem closing.

Bogotá Strikes a Chord with Bach 340 Festival

By The City Paper Staff - August 27, 2025

Bogotá launches the first edition of Bogotá Concertante – Bach 340 (27–31 August 2025), a festival with 20 concerts, workshops and masterclasses across libraries, museums and theaters. Most events are free, celebrating Bach’s legacy and Colombia’s independent classical ensembles.

Violin Contest of Bogotá spotlights Colombian composition with Jury of virtuosos

By Richard Emblin - May 13, 2025

Bogotá launches its first International Violin Competition, offering generous prizes and star-studded global jury. Twenty finalists will compete this November, with free masterclasses and donated violins benefiting young Colombian talents. Deadline for entries: May 31.

Bogotá’s VII Classical Music Festival showcases the Sound of the Americas

By The City Paper Staff - April 14, 2025

From Philip Glass to Piazzolla, the seventh edition of Bogotá’s acclaimed classical music festival Bogotá Es América pays homage to the continent’s vast sonic landscape. The festival hosted by Teatro Mayor will present 40 concerts, 11 of which are free to the public.

Bogotá’s Teatro Colón stages climate change opera ‘Sun and Sea’

By The City Paper Staff - March 17, 2025

Bogotá’s Teatro Colón transforms into an artificial beach for Sun & Sea, the award-winning Lithuanian opera-performance addressing climate change and mass tourism. Running March 21-24, the immersive production blends music and environmental commentary, offering audiences a unique theatrical experience.

Bogotá’s iconic Teatro Mayor presents its 2025 season

By The City Paper Staff - February 6, 2025

Teatro Mayor celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025 with a diverse program featuring top international performers, festivals, and collaborations. Highlights include classical music, dance, and theater productions, reinforcing its role as a premier cultural hub in Latin America.

Sacred Music, Sacred Territories: Colombia Es Música Sacra tributes the Putumayo

By Richard Emblin - January 15, 2025

The Colombia es Música Sacra tour arrived in Puerto Asís,Putumayo, with Camëntsá women from JASHNAN performing ancestral songs in a Catholic church. The event celebrated Indigenous resilience, cultural preservation, and reconciliation along the historic, extractive-ravaged Río Putumayo.

Violinists of the World Unite: Bogotá Launches First International Violin Contest

By Richard Emblin - December 5, 2024

Bogotá has launched the first-ever International Violin Contest: City of Bogotá, marking a significant cultural milestone for Latin America. The competition, open to violinists aged 18-30, offers prizes totaling US$70,000 and aims to elevate the Colombian capital’s reputation on the global stage.

Bringing hope through Sacred Music to the Colombian heartland

By Richard Emblin - December 3, 2024

The International Sacred Music Festival of Colombia has embarked on a nationwide tour to deliver great classical works to audiences in remote communities. From Belalcázar, Caldas, to Aracataca, Magdalena, this festival directed by Marianna Piotrowska, promotes unity and reconciliation.

Bogotá’s Teatro Mayor marks anniversary with stellar 2025 season

By The City Paper Staff - December 3, 2024

Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo unveils its 2025 program, featuring 15 stellar performances to celebrate 15 years of cultural excellence. Highlights include The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Ballet of Teatro San Martín de Buenos Aires, and operas such as Nabucco and The Fairy Queen.

Domo Lleno + RealMix

By The City Paper Staff - November 19, 2024

Bogotá’s grand Planetarium – Planetario Distrital – is set to transform into a hub of digital art and immersive experiences as it hosts the eighth edition of Domo Lleno and the fourth edition of RealMix. For the first time, these festivals will feature a unified program, combining cutting-edge audiovisual productions with interactive workshops, live performances, […]