Published in Sound Diplomacy Events & Education on June 2025. See the original article here https://www.musiccitiesevents.com/post/barranquilla-the-music-cities-paradox
For many, one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about Barranquilla, Colombia is its music. From popular traditional rhythms like cumbia, champeta, salsa, and vallenato, to the groundbreaking work of global icons such as Shakira and the legendary Joe Arroyo, Barranquilla has long stood as a powerhouse of musical innovation and cultural expression.
The city is also home to the Carnaval de Barranquilla, the second most important Carnival in the world and recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Few cities in the world can claim such a rich cultural identity and deep-rooted musical heritage.
Yet despite all of this, Barranquilla falls under what Sound Diplomacy calls the “Music Cities Paradox”—a place with extraordinary musical assets and global cultural influence, but lacking the infrastructure and systemic support necessary to sustain a thriving local music ecosystem.
The Problems Facing Barranquilla’s Music Ecosystem
The challenges are well known among locals and the cultural sector. Earlier this year, university professor Laly Malagón posted a video lamenting the cancellation of the 2025 Barranquijazz festival, one of the city’s most important music events. Her message struck a nerve, highlighting what many already knew: Barranquilla’s cultural infrastructure is in crisis, and the city owes a growing debt to its music scene and creative communities.
Despite being internationally known for its music, Barranquilla has limited venues for live music, little public policy to support the music sector, and a stark contrast in support compared to the city’s investments in sports. By focusing on its seasonal Carnival traditions, the city of Barranquilla neglects the rest of its musical ecosystem the rest of the year and rarely creates or meaningfully promotes year-round musical programming that is unrelated to Carnival.
Some of the most pressing issues include:
Chronic underfunding of local cultural projects and venues. Events like Barranquijazzand the Carnaval Internacional de las Artes have faced cancellations or drastic program cuts due to underfunding.
Poor maintenance and deterioration of key cultural infrastructure. The city’s Amira de la Rosa Theater, once a central venue for the arts, has been closed since 2016. Decay or complete closure has also been the fate of other spaces, such as the Parque Cultural del Caribe, and many others.
Lack of long-term planning and integration of music and culture into broader development agendas and public policy. Cultural initiatives are often reactive, short-term, or event-based, rather than embedded in sustained policy frameworks where supporting the music community is a priority. Without this integration, culture is treated as an accessory rather than a pillar of inclusive growth—and that leaves both artists and audiences behind.
Missed opportunities for collaboration. Barranquilla is not yet fully participating in national and international circuits that could give its musicians and cultural offerings wider exposure and economic opportunity.
Uneven prioritization of resources. While Barranquilla has invested significantly in sports infrastructure, the music sector has received comparatively little attention, policy support, or space. Barranquilla boasts several modern sports stadiums, but few functioning theaters, venues or dedicated music spaces. This imbalance underscores a broader issue: music is celebrated culturally, but underprioritized structurally, economically and in the development of public policy.
Despite these challenges, several resilient initiatives continue to shine. Festivals like Timeless, which champions indie and alternative music, and long-running efforts by La Cueva Foundation, Alianza Francesa, and other local stakeholders continue to foster cultural life against the odds.
But their sustainability remains fragile.
The Good News: A City Full of Possibilities
Barranquilla’s challenges are real—but so are its possibilities. Around the world, cities are adopting innovative, inclusive strategies to strengthen their music ecosystems. From grassroots-led movements to institutional partnerships, from creative placemaking to cultural policy reform, there are multiple models and approaches that can be adapted to Barranquilla’s unique context.
Strengthening Barranquilla’s Music Ecosystem: Six Key Strategies
Among the approaches adopted elsewhere, six key strategies could transform Barranquilla from a cultural reference point into a global music destination—a city that empowers its artists, celebrates its identity, and invests in its future:
- Invest in Cultural Events and Festivals
Shakira’s shows during the last Carnaval demonstrated how large-scale events and celebrity culture can drive significant economic activity. In cities all over the world, concerts and festivals generate jobs, boost tourism, support the nighttime economy, and foster urban regeneration. Recently, Chicago’s mayor requested an additional Beyoncé concert to “fix the city’s budget.”
Music makes cities move. Healthy music ecosystems can help cities thrive. Barranquilla should view its festivals as economic catalysts, not just cultural celebrations.
- Build Memory and Identity
Create a permanent museum exhibit or multimedia installation celebrating the recent history of Barranquilla’s music ecosystem. Highlight the milestones, influential figures, and initiatives that have shaped its history. Cultural memory forms the foundation of cultural strategy.
- Activate Local Media
Encourage local print media, TV, radio, and digital platforms to consistently feature local music stories, artists, and events. Visibility matters, and media has a key role in building a stronger music ecosystem.
- Repurpose Existing Spaces
Barranquilla has no shortage of large stadiums and open public areas, many of them underutilized. Why not transform sports venues, schools, churches and parks into (temporary or long-term) music venues, rehearsal spaces, or cultural gathering points? The city has the space; it just needs the vision to use it creatively to bridge the infrastructure gap.
- Engage the Private Sector
A more strategic relationship between the music ecosystem and the private business community -from sponsorships to creative, mutually beneficial partnerships- can unlock resources and long-term sustainability.
- Integrate Music into Broader Public Policy
Music should be integrated into Barranquilla’s approach to tourism, education, economic development, and urban planning. Music belongs at the public policy table as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable growth.
Final Thoughts: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
The road ahead won’t be easy, but Barranquilla is already rich in what many cities spend decades trying to build: talent, identity, and global relevance. With the right partnerships, bold vision, and sustained commitment, the city can cultivate a robust and inclusive music ecosystem—one that honors its deep cultural roots while carving out an exciting and sustainable future.
If there is a city that can make music its roadmap for development, that is Barranquilla: where music sprouts in every corner, crosses every history and is woven into every fiber of its identity.
The future of Barranquilla is in its own sounds. We just have to learn to listen to them, protect them and make them grow.
