The shaft parade, a tradition that blooms since 1957, It is a tribute to the Antioquia culture and the work of the peasants of Santa Elena. For decades, these artisans cultivated flowers, without imagining that their creations would be transformed into masterpieces that today exalt Medellín.
This event, which Celebrates the Paisa and Cultural Heritage of Colombiait is a testimony of ingenuity and creativity of the silleteros, who have turned their floral creations into a symbol of pride for Medellín.
It is common for the silleteros to walk during the Flower Fair in Medellín.Gabriel Aponte / Getty images
What is the history of the silleteros?
Since its inception in 1957, the Silleteros parade has been the soul of the Flower Fair in Colombia. The silleteros, as the peasants of Santa Elena are known, found in the flowers a form of livelihood and expressing their art.
Today, its creations are a symbol of Paisa culture and an economic engine for the region. Every year, Thousands of people gather to admire these floral masterpieces and celebrate the rich tradition of Medellín.
What is being a chair?
The name «Silletero» is a legacy of the ancient peasant traditions of the region. Originally, the inhabitants of the Colombian Andes used wooden “armchairs” to transport and loads and even their families for the difficult roads. With the Arrival of the mule, this practice was reduced, But it resurfaced in a transformed way with the Silleteros parade, who now load on their backs made floral arrangements.
From the Cargueros who transported all kinds of objects to the silleteros who sold their products in the city, This practice has evolved to become the iconic parade we know today, where the saddle has become a floral canvas that represents the paisa identity.