430 years of the Garden City of Colombia

By Pablo Arciniegas

Besides being one of the key municipalities in the Cundinamarca economy, Fusagasugá, home to Colombia's first productive coffee plantations and champion athlete Lucho Herrera, is also the main campus of the University of Cundinamarca, where most of its programs, facilities, students, and graduates are concentrated. For this reason, the 430th anniversary of its founding is an event that cannot go unnoticed by our academic community.

However, although the commemoration was planned for early January, the current situation with Covid-19 infections and its variant, Omicron, has led to the postponement of large-scale activities, such as concerts, to later dates this year. This, however, did not affect cultural events such as 'La Aguadita de Colores' (a colorful water festival), the bike ride, and the traditional comparsa festival, for which registration has already closed. Here's a little more about these activities and their connection to the academic community.

The colorful little wash

This activity, scheduled for February 4th, aims to renovate the facades and signage of businesses in this busy area of the municipality. But undoubtedly, for residents of Fusagasugá interested in entrepreneurship and business growth, this event includes a TEDx talk with international guests, which will also highlight the commercial and social initiatives that have contributed to the development of Fusagasugá. In fact, the day will conclude with "The Night of the Best," a gala recognizing the people behind these projects.

Traditional festival of carnival groups and float parade

Next Saturday, February 5th, Fusagasugá will become an epicenter of art and folklore, thanks to its traditional comparsa festival and its parade of floats, which this time represents the following themes:

• Relevant myths and legends of the territory.
• Prominent figures throughout the history of Fusagasugá.
• Sociocultural wealth (traditions, manifestations and cultural identity).
• Natural and Landscape Wealth (flora, fauna, natural landscape).

It is worthwhile to extend the invitation to this event to the entire UCundinamarca community, with the aim of reviving and remembering the cultural elements of our municipality, which is aligned with our values, and with the fact that we are a translocal university, which exports Colombian identity to the whole world.

Bike ride in La Aguadita

Fusagasugá, the birthplace of some of the most important high-performance 'beetles' in Colombia and the world, also celebrates its 430th anniversary with a bike ride through the La Aguadita area this Sunday, February 6.

Participation in this event is free of charge, and it is hoped that not only students, graduates, and professors from the Sports Science and Physical Education program will attend, but also members of the entire University community. For more information about this event, please visit the website of the [University Name/Organization Name]. Fusagasugá Mayor's Office.

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