Cayena Colfolk is a Colombian folklore dance company that has captivated audiences with its vibrant performances and dedication to preserving Colombia’s rich cultural heritage. Established to spread the essence of Colombian traditions through dance, music, and theater, Cayena Colfolk has become a beacon of cultural exchange between Latin America and the Middle East.
Recently, Cayena Colfolk showcased their grand performance, “Travesía Colombia,” at the Zabeel Theatre in Dubai. This 90-minute spectacle offered a mesmerizing fusion of dance, music, and theater, taking the audience on a journey through Colombia’s diverse regions and cultural richness. The show highlighted the beauty of Colombia’s folklore, making a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Dubai.
At the helm of Cayena Colfolk is Judy Pizarro, the Founder and Director. Her vision and dedication have been instrumental in creating a cultural bridge, promoting understanding and appreciation of Colombian traditions in the UAE. Through their performances, Cayena Colfolk continues to foster a deeper connection between the two regions, showcasing the vibrant spirit of Colombia in the heart of the Middle East.
Join us as we explore Judy Pizarro’s unique approach, where she shares the journey of Cayena Colfolk, the challenges and triumphs of promoting Colombian culture abroad, and her vision for the future in this exclusive interview:
What inspired the creation of Cayena Colfolk?
I was born in Santo Tomas Atlantico, Colombia, and grew up amidst the local dance scene. My professional career began with Sonia Osorio’s National Ballet of Colombia, where I was a principal dancer for over 10 years. I had the privilege of representing Colombia nationally and internationally at renowned folkloric events and festivals worldwide. My love and passion for Colombian dances and folklore led me to establish the first Colombian folklore company in the United Arab Emirates in 2013. I recognized the need to showcase the beauty and cultural richness of Colombia in the Middle East, which has been greatly admired and accepted by the local and foreign community.
How does Cayena Colfolk maintain its authentically Colombian essence while operating in the United Arab Emirates?
The main essence of Cayena Colfolk lies in its people, from the management team to the artists who are part of the company. All our members are professional artists selected for their love of art and passion for our roots. Our mission as cultural managers is to promote our folklore, culture, and tradition.
What challenges did Cayena Colfolk face when entering the market in the United Arab Emirates? How did you overcome them?
As a purely folkloric dance company, we encountered an unexplored and somewhat unpopular market in the UAE entertainment scene. However, we saw this as an opportunity to innovate and create paths to popularize our beautiful folklore. Cultural venues like Dubai EXPO 2020 were a great showcase that allowed us to demonstrate the company’s potential, making more people start to admire this type of cultural performance at a high-quality entertainment level. Evidence of this was the great reception and feedback received in our most recent production “Travesia Colombia,” where attendees could experience a journey through all regions of the country in a 90-minute performance featuring more than 40 artists at the Zabeel Theatre. Thanks to the support of the Colombian embassy in the UAE, especially Ambassador Luis Miguel Hoyos, we have been able to open paths and make strategic connections to let more people know about this beautiful art, such as the recent representation of Colombia in the Emirates flight campaign to Bogota, with Cayena Colfolk being the main face of the campaign.
How does Cayena Colfolk approach storytelling through its performances?
Our focus is on cultural celebration, joy, adventure, and exploration. In our performances, you will always find a narrative thread that takes you on a journey through Colombia. The use of actors, live music, visual elements, and scenography along with the dancers contribute greatly to this storytelling, aiming for the audience to feel they are in Colombia. Our focal point is to create an atmosphere of festivity and celebration characteristic of our Colombian culture.
How does Cayena Colfolk relate to its community and build a base of professional artists?
All our artists are Colombians residing in the UAE. We believe in the authenticity of our work and the quality and professionalism as the main pillars of the company. Regarding the community, we have been making connections and collaborations with other renowned Colombian brands in the UAE such as Juan Valdez Cafe, Once Flowers, ProColombia, and Mamacita Latin Flavours, seeking to expand our Colombian community with strong country brand representations.
What plans can we expect from Cayena Colfolk?
We believe we have great potential and continue working towards new opportunities, creating new shows on different scales, always guaranteeing the highest quality. We aim to reach more Emiratis, foreign residents, and all Colombians, ensuring they will always have a wonderful experience traveling through a beautiful country like Colombia through art, creating anticipation and desire to learn more about the country, and why not, even wanting to visit it.
How does Cayena Colfolk balance tradition and innovation in its performances?
While traditional folklore is our artistic foundation, we believe that the projection and addition of new audiovisual elements along with scenic elements greatly enrich our performances in combination with traditional music and dance. Screens are an important addition to this experience, showcasing our beautiful landscapes and bringing the audience closer to Colombian culture. The use of technology with remotely controlled props and even scaled parade floats are modern additions that make our shows original and unique, creating a more exciting and immersive experience.
(C) Latin&Gulf 2024.-
