Former combatants and victims of conflict will be part of one of the parades that will parade next March 3 at the Carnival of Barranquilla.

30 people among ex-combatants, victims of armed conflict and civil society are part of the group called 'In the Carnival of Barranquilla: Peace is pure joy' that will march on Sunday March 3 in 'The Great Parade of Tradition' to send a message to the country in which reconciliation is lived in Barranquilla.

Barranquilla, Atlantic. February 21, 2019. The troupe is a space led by the Mayor of Barranquilla through the Government Secretariat, the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN) and the Victims Unit, in order to demonstrate the improvement of human relations, reconciliation and the healthy coexistence between actors who in the past were enemies and / or victims of armed conflict but who today weave ties of friendship.

The troupe shows the results of the successful process of reintegration carried out by the ex-combatants because they are the living witnesses of integral, non-assistential and voluntary path that, if possible, a life in lawfulness. In addition, it serves as an example for the participants who are currently carrying out their reintegration and reincorporation process.

Luz Amparo Cuesta Martínez, victim of violence, said that "I participate in the troupe with my daughters and it is a place where civil society is, reintegrated and victims, to teach Colombia that through reconciliation and reintegration we are living in Barranquilla, the joy of Peace through Carnival ".

For his part, Leonardo Vidal Martínez, culminated in the process of reintegration and ex-combatant of AUC, said that "I am now a small businessman with my bakery and I have a football school to prevent recruitment in children and not live what I experienced. From Barranquilla we are an example of reconciliation because with the troupe they have given me the opportunity to enjoy again in society ".

The Queen of Barranquilla Carnival, Carolina Segebre, expressed her admiration for this initiative and assured that "it is working for an inclusive carnival and what better than a troupe of marimondas cambamberas for peace and reconciliation".

Laura Orrego Garcia, coordinator in the Atlantic of the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN) said that "it is important that we as individuals take our step towards reconciliation. Example that an opportunity changes everything, is given to the comparsa, which are the three populations of conflict to send a message to the country that reconciliation, if possible, "he explained.

This year the troupe celebrates five years of participation in the Carnival of Barranquilla, which since 2010 with the support of the District administration has been sending a message that peace is possible and the city is positioned as the capital of reconciliation in the country.

The troupe 'In the Carnival of Barranquilla: Peace is pure joy' is a business opportunity for people reintegrated because they are those who provide food, clothing and other elements to make visible the co-responsibility of all actors, especially the Mayor with his precept to be Capital of Life and that his administration develops public policies on that subject.

Finally, Juan José Jaramillo, Secretary of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, stressed that it is showing that the Barranquilla Carnival is a space that allows reconciliation and peace to be shown to the world through dance and art.

Data of interest

• 30 people make up the troupe between ex-combatants, victims of armed conflict and civil society.
• The costumes and accessories used in the troupe is made by reintegrated people and victims of conflict that have their business units in the textile sector.

The names of the troupe since 2010, have been the following:

• 2010: In the Barranquilla Carnival, peace is made with reintegration.
• 2014: In the Barranquilla Carnival, peace is made with everyone.
• 2015: Surely in the Carnival of Barranquilla is peace.
• 2017: Signed: the Carnival of Barranquilla, peace is danced.
• 2019: In the Carnival of Barranquilla, peace is pure joy.