Cali, October 21, 2024 - Following the opening ceremony of COP16, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, opened the Colombia Pavilion together with the Ministers of Mines and Energy, Health, Trade, Cultures and Foreign Affairs.
During the inaugural tour, Minister Susana Muhamad said: “Congratulations to the entire team that has created a pavilion that is truly very representative of our country, very much alive. Between maloca, sombrero vueltiao, biodiversity, arts and crafts. It really represents very well what we are. In this space we will have 120 events for the deep discussion of the issue of biodiversity care in Colombia”.
With more than 400 square meters, visitors to the Colombia Pavilion will live a sensory experience that invites them to connect with the biodiversity and ancestry of the country.
The Colombia Pavilion, designed by Bogota-born Andrés Cortés, has been officially presented as a symbolic and cultural representation of the country at the international summit. This area, which combines ancestral elements with sensory experiences, invites visitors to connect with Colombia's natural and cultural richness. The pavilion's main symbol is the vueltiao hat, a cultural heritage that is recognized worldwide.
This place stands out for the construction of a maloca, a central structure made 100% of wood cultivated for this purpose.
For Andrés Cortés, the maloca "is the focus of knowledge and sharing, just as it has been ancestrally". .Every element of the pavilion, from the chairs to the parasols, has been woven by Colombian artisans, reflecting the importance of manual labor and local traditions.
The Colombia Pavilion stands out for the construction of a maloca, a central structure made 100% of wood grown for this purpose. Around 400 people participated in the construction of the pavilion, including more than 100 artisans who hand-wove the vueltiao hat mat.
Colombia Pavilion, an immersive experience
One of the pavilion's main attractions is its immersive tunnel, designed to awaken the senses and showcase Colombia's natural diversity in a unique way. “More than seeing, I want them to feel what Colombia is,” says Cortés, who has worked hard to transmit the essence of the country through this space.
The pavilion has 400 square meters, within which the maloca functions as an auditorium with capacity for 60 people. In addition, two private offices and a curved screen that extends from floor to ceiling have been incorporated, creating a unique visual experience. The screen will show streaming content of key events, sharing with the audience the spaces experienced at COP16.
Around 400 people were involved in its construction, including more than 100 artisans who hand-wove the carpet on which the structure stands, as well as the chairs and parasols that decorate the space. This collective effort underscores the importance of collaboration and the pride it represents for Colombia to be present at the summit with a place that reflects its culture, biodiversity and tradition.
In this space Colombia will have a rich agenda with 120 key events to address the importance of protecting biodiversity and the country's commitments in this regard.
For Andrés Cortés, designing and participating in the construction of the Colombia Pavilion is a source of pride and responsibility. “It gives me joy and happiness to show what Colombia is, awakening the senses and teaching others about our biodiversity and ancestry,” he says. Cortés is convinced that people passing through COP16 will not only see his design, but will experience Colombia, a country rich in culture, nature and tradition.
The Colombia Pavilion is an invitation to all those attending the summit to discover, feel and appreciate the essence of a country that presents itself to the world with pride and authenticity.