Catalan Colombians

Catalan Colombians are Colombian citizens of Catalan descent.

The Catalan community in Colombia, created in 1939 by exiles from the Spanish Civil War, recalls on its official website, that the Sanctuary of Monserrate is an important part of the Catalan heritage in the Colombian capital, as well as in Cartagena de Indias, In front of the Naval Museum of the Caribbean, there is an exact replica of the famous Font de Canaletes, whose legend affirms "that one or one that drinks from its water will go back to Barcelona. The Catalan heritage can also be seen in well-known artists such as Alejandro Obregón. In addition to the "homage to Parc Güell in Barcelona, ​​by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, in the" Zona T "of Bogotá". As well as Catalan Marcellí de Castellví, the founder of the Center for Linguistic and Ethnographic Research of the Colombian Amazon (CILEAC) created in 1933. The community also highlights the centers created in cities such as Bogotá and Cali by Catalan pioneers.

Also the singer Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, her mother is of Catalan descent. Likewise, renowned singer Lucas Arnau has first-degree Catalan ancestry. On the other hand, the Catalan Community of Colombia was founded in 1939 after many Catalans arrived in the country fleeing the Spanish Civil War. From the Catalan contributions to the Colombian industry we can highlight the creation of Carulla, the supermarket with the most fame and distribution in the Republic and likewise the foundation of the Barraquer ophthalmological clinic.

As for the gastronomy, on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia the butifarra (from the Catalan "botifarra") is very typical and is eaten in different ways. This food has already become widespread throughout the country. The Colombian butifarra is characterized by its quasi-round shape and small size, in addition to being eaten with lemon (optional) and accompanied with cassava bun. They are originally from the Colombian Caribbean Region, more exactly from Soledad, Atlántico and because of that they are called soleiferous sausages.

In Soledad, on the occasion of the patron festivities of San Antonio de Padua, on June 13, the Festival of the Butifarra is celebrated, which takes place over three days and also folkloric festivities, platforms with musical orchestras, dances are held, games of chance, among others.