In Colombia, long weekends are a deeply rooted tradition in the country’s culture. Thanks to a 1983 law, promoted by former President Julio Cesar Turbay, most holidays are moved to the nearest Monday, creating what are known as “puentes festivos” (holiday bridges).
This Monday, for example, is a holiday in Colombia, creating a three-day weekend that many citizens take advantage of to plan rest getaways to tourist areas of the country. In fact, although this practice has generated debate, it has also contributed significantly to tourism and the national economy.
Long weekends in Colombia, a boost to domestic tourism
Although it is not a practice exclusive to Colombia, since other countries also do it, Colombia has been enjoying 3-day holidays for more than 40 years, taking advantage of weekends and Monday holidays.
Today, March 24, is a holiday in Colombia because the feast of St. Joseph, corresponding to the 19th of the same month, is moved. The tradition of moving holidays to Mondays was formalized in 1983 with the enactment of Law 51. Prior to that date, holidays were celebrated on their exact day, which sometimes generated interruptions in work and academic productivity.
The law was a response to the need to better organize rest periods without affecting the country’s economic dynamics. With the “holiday bridges,” Colombians can plan trips and recreational activities without affecting the continuity of work and study during the week.
The main objective of the law was to encourage domestic tourism and commerce, allowing people to take advantage of long weekends to travel within the country. It was also argued that the measure helped to improve labor productivity by reducing the fragmentation of the workweek with holidays on intermediate days.
Which holidays move and which do not?
Of the 18 official holidays in Colombia, 12 of them are moved to the nearest Monday, while six remain on their original date due to their religious or historical significance.
Holidays that are moved to Monday include:
- Three Kings Day (January 6)
- St. Joseph’s Day (March 19)
- Ascension of the Lord (celebrated 40 days after Easter Sunday, but moved to the following Monday)
- Corpus Christi (celebrated 60 days after Resurrection Sunday and moved to the following Monday)
- Sacred Heart of Jesus (celebrated 10 days after Corpus Christi and moved to the following Monday)
- St. Peter and St. Paul (June 29)
- Assumption of the Virgin (August 15)
- Columbus Day (October 12)
- All Saints Day (November 1)
- Independence of Cartagena (November 11)
On the other hand, the holidays that maintain their original date are:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (variable dates in March or April)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Independence Day (July 20)
- Battle of Boyaca (August 7)
- Immaculate Conception (December 8)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
These holidays are not moved because of their historical or religious relevance, as they commemorate events of great significance to national identity or Christian faith.
Impact of long weekends
The transfer system has had multiple effects on society and the economy. Among the most notable impacts are the boost to tourism, the improvement in productivity and the effect on the work culture.
In the first case, many Colombians take advantage of the long weekends to travel within the country, benefiting sectors such as hotels, restaurants and transportation. Cities such as Cartagena, Santa Marta and Medellin receive a large number of visitors during these days.
Productivity improves by avoiding interruptions in the middle of the week, companies and schools can maintain a more constant work rhythm.
Finally, long weekends have an effect on the work culture because, although many people enjoy long weekends, some companies and sectors argue that long weekends can affect the continuity of certain production processes.
Despite its benefits, the policy of moving holidays to Mondays is not without its critics. Some sectors consider that the practice distorts the meaning of certain commemorative dates. For example, moving Columbus Day or the Assumption of the Virgin to the nearest Monday may cause people to forget the historical or religious significance of these celebrations.
Another point of debate is whether the concentration of so many holidays on Mondays affects the country’s competitiveness, especially in comparison with other nations where holidays are not grouped in this way.
In any case, the practice of Monday holidays and long weekends is deeply rooted in Colombia, one of the countries with the highest workload in the Americas, and Colombians look forward to each of these long weekends to enjoy time off with family and friends.