In Cartagena, Colombia, the Fiestas de Independencia celebrated on November 11 are now part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. On November 11, 2026, marking the 215th anniversary of the city’s independence, the Colombian Ministry of Culture issued the resolution formalizing this designation. This marks a decisive milestone for a festival that, for more than two centuries, has kept alive the memory of the struggles for freedom and the heritage of the working-class neighborhoods.
Fiestas de Independencia: A Recognition Built Over Time
On November 11, 2026, at the Cartagena Convention Center, Deputy Minister Aglaé Caraballo Mercado presented Resolution No. 0668 of 2026 to city representatives. This resolution inscribes the Fiestas de Independencia on Colombia’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This ceremony marks the culmination of efforts begun in 2009 by the Instituto de Patrimonio y Cultura de Cartagena (IPCC) and the Committee for the Revitalization of the Festivals. Artists, organizations, and residents participated in documenting the traditions and preparing measures to protect them.
A decisive step had already been taken on July 17, 2026: the National Council for Cultural Heritage had issued a favorable opinion on the listing and approved the Special Preservation Plan. The November submission marks the public formalization of this process, not its starting point.
On November 11, 1811, independence was also championed by the working-class neighborhoods
The story begins on November 11, 1811, when Cartagena proclaimed its complete independence from the Spanish Crown. This break came amid a broader movement challenging the colonial order in the Americas. The Getsemaní neighborhood played a major role in this. Pedro Romero, a craftsman who became one of the leaders of the movement, and the Lanceros de Getsemaní helped build pressure for an unambiguous break with Spain. Cartagena’s independence, therefore, was not merely a decision made by the elites; it was also the result of the actions of the city’s residents, artisans, and people of African descent.
Commemorations began the very next year. Over time, civic ceremonies and popular celebrations blended together, eventually giving rise to a festive tradition deeply rooted in the life of the city.
Drums, parades, and a vibrant Afro-Caribbean heritage
During the Fiestas de Independencia, the streets come alive to the rhythm of comparsas, parades, dances, and music. Cumbia, mapalé, and other expressions of the Colombian Caribbean evoke the cultural encounters that have shaped Cartagena. The cabildos, linked to the history of African and Afro-descendant communities, are part of this legacy. The Grandes Lanceros pay tribute to the heroes of independence, while the Reinado Popular gives neighborhoods and their representatives a prominent place.
These festivities are not a static spectacle for visitors. Seamstresses make the costumes, musicians pass down their repertoires, artisans prepare the floats, and community groups organize the gatherings. The value of this cultural heritage lies precisely in these traditions and skills, which are passed down from one generation to the next.
National recognition, but above all, commitments to fulfill
This recognition is accompanied by a Special Preservation Plan, developed in collaboration with the communities that bring these festivals to life. It addresses several concerns: the decline of certain traditional skills, funding challenges, and the need to better pass on local history. Projects include a “Festival School,” CarrozaLab—a workshop for creating festival floats—and educational programs focused on history and the festivals. The program also provides support for documentation and cultural initiatives.
The planned investment exceeds 9.53 billion Colombian pesos over the first five years. This amount represents a projection under the plan, not a sum that has already been spent. The real challenge will be to ensure that this recognition translates into sustainable resources for the bearers of these traditions. Protecting living heritage means enabling those who create it to continue practicing and passing it on.
"La Fantástica": Carlos Vives Brings Cartagena to Life on Screen
On that same November 11, Carlos Vives unveiled the first official music video for “La Fantástica,” thirteen years after the song’s release in 2013. Produced as a tribute to Cartagena on the 215th anniversary of its independence, it extends the celebration through music. The lyrics pay tribute to figures such as Benkos Biohó, a leader in the resistance against slavery, and Manuel Zapata Olivella, a writer attuned to Colombia’s African heritage. The song thus creates a dialogue between the city of today and the figures who have shaped its history.
The coincidence between the music video and the adoption of the resolution takes on its full meaning: on one hand, institutional protection; on the other, a popular tribute that keeps this memory alive beyond Cartagena. November 11 serves as a reminder that independence remains a story the city continues to tell, sing, and share.
Frequently asked questions
The Fiestas de Independencia are the popular and cultural celebrations held in Cartagena, Colombia, around November 11. They commemorate the declaration of independence on November 11, 1811, and feature parades, music, dancing, Afro-Caribbean traditions, and community participation.
They have been recognized for their historical significance, their role in Cartagena’s identity, and the transmission of living cultural practices. Following a favorable recommendation issued in July 2026, Resolution 0668 of 2026 formally designated them as part of the national intangible cultural heritage; it was publicly announced on November 11, 2026.
On November 11, 2026, Carlos Vives released the first official music video for his song “La Fantástica, ” which was released in 2013, to celebrate the 215th anniversary of Cartagena’s independence. The song pays tribute to Benkos Biohó and Manuel Zapata Olivella, two figures closely associated with Colombia’s historical and cultural heritage.
