Medellin’s Flower Festival is annual event, also known as Feria de las Flores in Spanish, it is a celebration of the region’s rich cultural heritage, specially it’s historical roots in agriculture and flower cultivation. During this event it is common to see stunning floral arrangements in the form of saddles that are carried by women whom within Antioquia’s culture have a huge influence. This traditional equestrian display is also known as desfiles de silleteros.

The flower festival usually takes place in August and lasts for about ten days. During this time, the city comes alive with music, dancing, and parades, as well as a variety of cultural and recreational activities. However, the highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the desfiles de silleteros, a unique and colorful tradition that dates back to the 19th century and still conserves the authenticity that is hard to come by these days.

The silleteros are flower farmers from the nearby villages of Santa Elena and San Antonio de Prado amongst other areas within the Valley where Medellin is located. These silleteros carry large, intricately designed wooden frames on their backs, known as silletas or saddles. These silletas are filled with an array of fresh flowers, including roses, sunflowers, and chrysanthemums, arranged in beautiful patterns and shapes. The silleteros then walk through the streets of Medellin with the saddles on their backed tied with ropes. By doing so, they display their amazing creations to the crowds, while traditional music and dancing accompany them.

The desfiles de silleteros are not just a visual spectacle, but also a symbol of the region’s cultural heritage and agricultural history. The silleteros represent the hardworking farmers who have been cultivating flowers in the hills of Antioquia for generations, and the festival is a way of recognizing their contribution to the region’s economy and culture. Although commercial influence has also become a norm and now the local farmers are sponsored by companies to create unique displays that reflect their will or social projects that the companies invest in.

Aside from the desfiles de silleteros, the Medellin Flower Fair offers a variety of other activities for visitors to enjoy. Please read part II.