Explore Colombian carnival culture and create a vibrant mask.
Son, Comparsa, and La Guaneña
- Date:
- 20 Jul 2025,
12:00–17:00
Workshop participants will create their own mask representing this iconic character, then form a festive procession—known as a comparsa—and march to the Forest accompanied by the rhythms of traditional Colombian music. Dayra, dressed in authentic carnival costume, will lead this ceremonial parade.
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The Blacks and Whites’ Carnival is one of Colombia’s most significant folk festivals, with roots dating back to the sixteenth century. Since 1926, these celebrations have been held annually in early January in the southern city of Pasto. In 2009, the event was recognised on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This vibrant festival blends indigenous, African, and Spanish traditions, embodying the values of equality, mutual recognition, and respect for diversity.
These workshops are organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Colombia in Russia.
Photo: Manuel Vallejo
Colombian artist Dayra Benavides, a master guardian of the carnival traditions, will guide participants through this fascinating cultural celebration. Dayra will introduce La Guaneña—a legendary heroine who, according to tradition, participated in Colombia’s struggle for independence in the early nineteenth century and became a symbol of strength, freedom, and cultural memory.
Workshop leader
Dayra Benavides is a Colombian artist dedicated to studying and preserving the Blacks and Whites’ Carnival in Pasto. She holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Nariño, Colombia. Dayra specialises in designing and creating carnival costumes and served as costume designer for the One Hundred Years of Solitude Netflix series (2024). Her work has been featured in exhibitions and performances in Barranquilla (Colombia), New York (USA), Paris (France), Venice (Italy), and Madrid (Spain).