The Ballet Nacional de Colombia Sonia Osorio will participate in the International Folklore Festival of Agrigento, in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy. The event will take place from March 7 to March 15, 2026, and during those days the Colombian delegation will perform on different stages throughout the festival, sharing the spotlight with dance and traditional music groups from various parts of the world.
The presence of the Colombian company at this important cultural gathering marks a new chapter in its international trajectory. The group returns to the festival after having won the Golden Temple, the highest award granted by the event, during its previous participation. This recognition is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the world of folklore.
Agrigento International Festival: a gathering of world folklore
The Agrigento International Folklore Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious cultural events dedicated to traditional dance and music in Europe. Each year, it brings together groups from different continents, becoming a stage where cultures from around the world share their traditions before thousands of spectators.
Held in the historic city of Agrigento, the festival is recognized for its high artistic level and the symbolic value of its awards, including the Golden Temple, which is regarded as one of the most important distinctions within the international folklore circuit.
The participation of the Colombian ballet not only represents an opportunity to showcase the country’s cultural richness but also to strengthen its presence on the global artistic stage. During the festival, the dancers will perform choreographies inspired by different regions of Colombia, featuring traditional costumes and music that reflect the cultural diversity of the country.
The Ballet Nacional de Colombia, one of the oldest in the country
The Ballet Nacional de Colombia Sonia Osorio is one of the most emblematic artistic groups in the country and also one of the oldest dedicated to the promotion of folkloric dance. Its origins date back to 1955, when choreographer and dancer Sonia Osorio de Saint-Malo created the Ballet Folklorico de Sonia Osorio with the aim of bringing Colombian cultural traditions to major stages.
In 1960, after its successful participation in the Ibague Folklore Festival and its performances at the Teatro Colon in Bogota, the group was officially consolidated as the Ballet Nacional de Colombia. Since then, it has built a trajectory of more than six decades, performing in venues across America, Europe, and Asia.
Today, the company is directed by Silvana Obregón Osorio, daughter of the founder, who has continued the artistic and cultural legacy of the group. Under her leadership, the ballet maintains a repertoire that includes traditional rhythms such as cumbia, joropo, bambuco, and currulao, presented through choreographies that combine cultural research, stage production, and technical training.
In addition to its stage activities, the institution also operates an academy dedicated to training new generations of dancers, helping preserve and pass on the country’s traditional dance heritage.