Dancing salsa, forums, meeting with the community and ending at the Petronio Álvarez Festival: this was the experience of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan.
News Cali
The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Colombia has been the talk of the town. During their stay in Bogotá and Cartagena, they had several cultural encounters, but closing with a flourish at the Petronio Álvarez in Cali has had an even greater impact.
Read also:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Cali was full of meaningful moments and memorable encounters.
From early on Sunday morning, the royal couple began their day at the Municipal Theater, where they were received by local authorities, including the Mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder; the governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro; and the vice president of Colombia, Francia Márquez, who was the main promoter of this visit.
The main event of the morning was the forum entitled “Afro Women and Power”, which aimed to highlight the dignity and role of ethnic peoples in Colombia, with a special focus on Afro-Colombian women. The forum began with a warm welcome from the attendees, who applauded and took photos of the Duke and Duchess.
The event kicked off with the screening of a documentary video that captured the cultural essence of the Colombian Pacific, including its mangrove systems, traditional music and the stunning natural beauty of the region.
The Duke and Duchess remained attentive throughout the screening, showing great interest in local culture.
Municipal Theatre
The second act of the event was led by the renowned artist Nidia Góngora, who offered a musical performance that connected deeply with the land and the mangroves, recurring themes in her work.
With her powerful voice, Nidia evoked a call to the earth, and her words resonated among the audience: “Souls are coming together, fear is gone, the light shines. Return to the earth, let the body rest.” Her performance ended with an emotional dedication: “For all the dead of our past.”
The act was so moving that the dukes responded with a standing ovation.
The El Vallado neighborhood, eastern Cali
Later, Prince Harry and Meghan headed to the El Vallado neighborhood in eastern Cali, where they participated in a meeting with young people from the community at the local sports center.
Accompanied by Vice President Francia Márquez, the Duke and Duchess spent more than an hour talking with leaders of a foundation that works on the development of vulnerable communities.
This meeting was a reflection of the couple’s commitment to social causes and their interest in learning about the realities of the most disadvantaged sectors.
Additionally, in a moment that was immortalized on video, they were seen dancing salsa alongside dancers and community members, a sign of the connection and joy they experienced during their visit.
Petronio Alvarez Festival
The day ended at the Petronio Álvarez Festival, where the Duke and Duchess arrived around 8 pm. Once at the Petronio citadel, they went up to the main concert stage, where they received gifts representative of the Colombian Pacific: the traditional viche drink and an instrument that symbolizes the culture of the region, the marimba.
The farewell of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was as emotional as their arrival.
After spending several days in Colombia since their arrival last Thursday, Harry and Meghan closed their agenda in Cali with a deep appreciation for the culture, people and traditions that made their visit an unforgettable experience.
