The Joropo International Tournament: the best excuse for surrendering to the spell of the Eastern Plains

• Place: Villavicencio, Meta
• Region: Llanos Orientales (Eastern Plains)
• Date: June
• Duration: 5 days

Every year, the city of Villavicencio is the venue for the most important folkloric event of the plains of Colombia and Venezuela. Close to 500,000 national and international spectators meet for a feast that is danced and sung to the beat of harps, cuatros, and capachos.

The first version of the Tournament was held in 1960. In the course of its 48 years of history and evolution, it became consolidated as the best space for witnessing firsthand the viewpoints and feelings of the people of the region by bringing together the best of traditional and innovative folk movements from several hundred miles around.

What the Tournament offers

The most outstanding interpreters, composers, and dances of the region’s music come as invited artists or contest participants.

The streets of Villavicencio become an enormous “joropodrome”, where 1,600 couples from Bogotá and the departments of Meta, Arauca, Casanare, Guaviare, Vichada, and Cundinamarca, delight all with choreographies prepared for children’s, juvenile, and professional categories of joropo tap dancing.

Additional events like toro coleado competitions, where bulls are grabbed and pulled by their tails; public art shows at the Meta photo museum; and the Joropo International Beauty Pageant complement the Tournament’s offer.

The Plains and their spell

Orange sunsets that fade into the horizon and the charm of a kind, happy people who view dauntlessness and optimism as a way of life are the complement that will help you decide to come and experience the Eastern Plains of Colombia.