Bogotá Wipes Its Tears for 2nd Week of Theater Festival

The Azure Backdrop Atop The Andes-Green Jagged Table

As the Festival kicked off its covered attractions (ranging from US$3 to US$30, most tickets towards the high end) splattered about Bogotá's network of beautiful theaters, the rains came; and came, until Bogotá had enough hygiene for the moment. The city dried itself off for the start of the street plays, showing off its cottonball clouds caressing the azure backdrop atop the Andes-green jagged table and using some of its best public stages (Plaza Bolívar, Parque Nacional, Parque Simón Bolívar, etc.) for the guests from all over the world to perform for the non-paying theater-goers.

"The Four Seasons"

Hugged by the crowds in the Plaza Bolívar, who were hovered over by the Capital's administrative square, which was smothered by the previously mentioned sky, the Belgian theatrical group participating in the Festival gave Bogotá their "the Four Seasons" on stilts of different lengths literally moving the observers as they traipsed the historical Plaza. As the Belgians neared the end of their work, a repeated sight in some of the pigeon-laden parks where performances have taken place, seen from afar, above the spectators, above the stilt-walkers, above Simón Bolívar: shades of gray, blue and silver twisted as if the pigeons who have colonized the Plaza had been trained to close the spectacle.

Next!

A "septimazo", or a jaunt down Bogotá's 7th Ave., brought the crowds to another spectacle as others headed to other parts of the city to their gratuitous street performance of choice. The remainder of this "Semana Santa" is scattered with a plethora of other street performing international thespian guests!given that Colombia's capital can hold off on another bath for a few more days.

Take it Easy!

It is recommended to not overdo it. More than two events in a day is a doozey. You can read about the Festival (in English, too) at www.festivaldeteatro.com.co

The Conflict?

A fellow foreign-of-Colombia friend mentioned to me, "you wouldn't think this were a country at war," when seeing kites a-flying, kids a-giggling, lovers a-smooching and ducks a-quacking in Simón Bolívar Park during last August's Summer Festival in Bogotá. This afternoon I reminded her of what she had said back then.

It'S Hard To Notice That The Conflict Has Changed

In line with George's recent post, "The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same", it's hard to notice that the conflict has changed residing in the cities. It's not fair to those affected by the conflict, suffering the consequences of national issues, but it's not necessary for every Colombian citizen and foreign resident to feel the war; it's necessary that none feel it.