AROUND FIFTEEN THOUSAND COLOMBIANS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM CELEBRATED 20TH JULY AND DEMANDED FREEDOM FOR ALL THOSE HELD CAPTIVE IN COLOMBIA

“Through these displays of patriotism, once again it can be seen that although Colombians are far from their native land, they always hold Colombia in their hearts.”
On 20th July, to commemorate the aniversary of the 198 years of the country’s independence, Colombians in the United Kingdom united over two days of festivities  in London to mark the important occasion.

On 19th July, the oficial celebrations began with a religious ceremony in the church of St Anne, in the Latin American chaplaincy, London.  This was carried out by four Colombian priests and accompanied by the “Colombian Voluntary Military Service Choir.”

In Belgrave Square, the celebrations continued through a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Colombia’s liberator Simon Bolivar where a Royal Guard sounded the trumpet salute.  The ceremony was led by the Colombian Ambassador Noemi Sanin and was attended by diplomatic representatives of Latin Missions in the United Kingdom and their Military Attachés.

On the afternoon of 20th July, the second celebration began, in the South Bank by the river Thames.  This was attended by around fifteen thousand Colombians who joined together in solidarity for the freedom of Colombian’s held in captivity.
 
Immediately afterwards to the uniquely Latin rhythms of the cumbia, porro, merengue, vallenato, y salsa, the Colombians and the rest of the general public went on to attend a National Concert celebrating Colombia through Folklore.

Through musicians, actors, circus performers, artists, craft stands, Colombian food and drink; Latin Americans, Europeans, Asians and Africans all shared the magic of the Colombian Culture in the United Kingdom.