From this institution, which is a Heritage of All, we have prepared a series of activities and created spaces for you to experience Holy Week, not only in the city of Popayán but also in the municipalities of our diverse department. We are very honored to offer you an interesting cultural agenda that, in addition to promoting the arts, aims to strengthen the Caucan economy. We invite you to join us in the coming days!

It is no secret that Holy Week, whose traditional processions were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009, is one of the most important times of the year for locals and Caucanos. This week attracts both locals and visitors (from Colombia and other countries) to experience a unique religious tourism experience. Thus, since Unicauca is #HeritageOfAll, it would be impossible for us to fall behind and not actively participate in a special agenda. Are you interested in planning your visit? Then don’t miss any details.

Let’s start with our northern territories, where the XXXIV International Classical Music Festival of Santander de Quilichao and other municipalities in the Cauca department, “Sounds for Reconciliation and Peace,” will take place. This event, which has been held for over three decades, will be held from March 22 to 31, 2024, in municipalities such as Santander de Quilichao, Suárez, Buenos Aires, and Popayán. It is an important cultural venue that annually brings together the best performers of universal classical music, and this year, Russia is the guest country. You can't miss this iconic experience of our region. For details on the schedule, click here.

And from Unicauca Estéreo, we have also prepared the 'SemanaSantera 2024 Route: Experiencing Cauca's Traditions from the Sound Universe of Cultures,' a journey through various municipalities in our department. Exciting, right? As part of our commitment to being a supportive and engaged university, we have decided to promote this auditory journey so that our listeners can also familiarize themselves with how the communities of the municipalities of Santander de Quilichao, Silvia, Piendamó, and Timbío experience Holy Week. So, we hope you tune in to Unicauca Estéreo at 104.1 FM in Popayán and 93.6 FM in Santander de Quilichao to catch all the details of this innovative journey that will connect us live with the cultural protagonists of religious tourism beyond the white city.

On the other hand, we have the International Engraving Exchange Program (IPEP) India 2022, an interesting non-profit space that provides an opportunity for engravers to exchange their work with others. The event will take place from March 21 to April 3 at the Contemporary Exhibitions Hall and is organized by professors Orlando Martínez Vesga and Jim Fannkugen Salas, affiliated with our Department of Plastic Arts in the Faculty of Arts. Similarly, in the same hall and during the same dates, we have the Exhibition of Caucan Landscapes by Orlando Martínez Vesga, for those who wish to appreciate landscapes from municipalities such as Piendamó, Silvia, Totoró, Inzá, Gabriel López, Turminá, and El Valle de Malvazá.

In addition to the tours through the different municipalities, and returning to Popayán, our museums (except for the Natural History Museum, which is under renovation) will be available for you to learn about our history and breathe in diverse knowledge. Therefore, we extend the invitation: we want many people to visit the Mosquera House Museum, the Pantheon of the Heroes, and the Francisco José de Caldas Auditorium, heritage spaces that will offer guided tours, volunteer orientation, and route accompaniments. And if you don’t have the time to take this museum tour, we have the street exhibition ‘Let's Meet at the Museum,’ which will take place from March 25 to 31 at the Plazoleta Caldas, second floor, a tribute to our historical and cultural heritage.

And for those who wish to engage in more hands-on activities, on March 25 at 3:00 p.m., in partnership with the Campanario Shopping Center, we will have the activity ‘At Campanario, with Clay,’ ideal for family sharing. Similarly, at the Mosquera House Museum on March 27 at 3:00 p.m., we will have the opportunity to learn more about our history from a different perspective through the clay workshop ‘Modeling Mosquera’s Legacy,’ a fantastic opportunity to explain our cultural heritage to the little ones.

We are also gearing up for the fair

The wide range of options available for making plans during Holy Week doesn’t end here: Unicauca will also be very present and active in exhibition venues, with a fair-like dynamic, which have already become a landmark for Popayán. We start with Bazartes 2024, Art, Music, and Design, a traditional space where students from the Graphic Design Program showcase their greatest creations. So, from March 26 to 30, at the Faculty of Arts, we open our doors wide for you to be amazed by all the talent of the Unicaucan community.

Likewise, it is impossible to forget that every year we have the opportunity to meet different entrepreneurs and businesspeople from all over the country at Manos de Oro, all gathered in the beautiful Santo Domingo Cloister, where we will also have our University Store where you can purchase the most representative souvenirs of our Alma Mater. Additionally, in the Carmen Cloister, there will be the Orchid Exhibition, an important space that reflects the biodiversity of our country through the most beautiful flowers.

Finally, our academic and research offerings will be showcased at Expocauca 2024. At the INEM Francisco José de Caldas Educational Institution, accompanied by a team of professionals passionate about this house of studies and regional thought, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about our nearly bicentennial institution. So, if you have any questions or are interested in pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or diploma program, or want to learn about our research processes, we look forward to seeing you on this tour while you enjoy the most magnificent crafts.

A Space for Solemnity

To conclude, we would like to extend a warm invitation for you to join us during the Holy Sepulcher Procession on Good Friday. Rector Deibar René Hurtado Herrera will participate in this procession, along with the directors of our Alma Mater, who will carry banners. This is a solemn act of which we are very proud, as it reminds us of the importance of our traditions: the University of Cauca resides in a city with great historical value; a city that has allowed the realization of many dreams through public education.

We hope you are encouraged to participate in all the cultural events prepared by the different institutions and initiatives in Popayán, all within the framework of Holy Week, an unparalleled time for the city and the department, due to all the cultural and religious activities, as well as the growth opportunities these dates represent for the economic sector.

Get ready for a different way to connect with tradition! Tune in to Unicauca Estéreo and follow us on our digital channels, as we will be sharing updates on how the week is progressing through these mediums.

For more information:

Communications Management Center
Email: comunicaciones@unicauca.edu.co