Cartagena kicks off 2012 with the prestigious Hay Festival of literature and arts, to be held in the city from January 26-29.
The seventh edition of the annual festival celebrates culture and the arts across music, poetry, cinema, journalism, dance and various other art forms. The 2012 program promises to be “more interdisciplinary and inclusive than ever”, traversing philosophical thinking, gastronomy, sociology, psychology and dance.
Special guests at this year`s festival will include Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes and Colombian-American actor John Leguizamo, famous for his roles in Moulin Rouge and Carlitos Way.
The festival will also pay homage to Colombian musical maestro Lucho Burmudez, one of the country`s most famous composers, on what would be his 100th birthday.
The Hay Festival originated in 1988 in the town of Hay-on-Wire, Wales — known as the city of books for having 41 libraries to its 1,550 inhabitants. Since 1996 the festival has spread to cities worldwide, with the aim of creating and promoting culture and new talent in literature and the arts.
The first Cartagena edition was held in 2006, and it has been one of the coastal city’s most important annual cultural events since.
The full 2012 program along with ticket options are available from the festival`s official website.
