Looking back is not part of Medellin’s plan. While its unique landscape has been shaped by a rich and oftencontroversial history, today this same landscape is constantly evolving, thanks to a political and social will to drive the city forward. Initiative and innovation, two typical features of the ‘Paisa’ mentality, mean Medellin now has much to offer.
Education Education has been a key strategic issue within the city’s development plan in recent years. Campaigns to encourage continuous attendance, free education at primary level, digital learning and better quality teaching are all investments in Medellin’s future, especially when positioned as a knowledge society appealing to international investors. Development starts early, thanks to the ‘Good Start Programme’, which aims to establish 17 nurseries for more than 5,000 children in the poorer parts of the city, eight of which have already been opened.
City of art One of Latin America’s leading artists, Fernando Botero, was born in Medellin in 1932 and his work has left its mark throughout the city. Over the years, the artist has donated a range of works to the Museo de Antioquia, including more than 130 paintings and sculptures in 2000. The sculptures are now kept in Plaza Botero, an open-air space in front of the museum. Meanwhile, the Medellin Museum of Modern Art has more than 200 works by the Antioquian expressionist painter Débora Arango. Art is also found outside the city’s museums, with street art appearing in public places, such as metro stations, and especially in some of Medellin’s poorest neighbourhoods.
Culture Famous Colombians like singer Juanes and artist Fernando Botero (see below) are both from Medellin. But while these cultural ambassadors take the city’s name abroad, Medellin and its municipal council have also made use of culture at home as a means of creating a new and brighter city, which in turn, attracts visitors from all over the world. The city’s libraries, part of the social urbanism movement, are a centre for local cultural activity. Meanwhile, music and dance are two leading expressions of local, national and Latin American culture. The city holds an annual international tango festival, which attracts considerable interest, even from the home of tango in Argentina. Meanwhile, in 2010, musicians from all over Latin America visited the city for the 3rd Congress of Latin American Culture. Finally, the city’s flower festival remains an annual attraction, celebrating traditional ‘Paisa’ culture with parades, music and dancing.
Architecture Thanks to the social urbanism movement, in which buildings are complementary pieces of an overall regeneration programme, architecture is a key element in the social development of modern Medellin. As a result, new buildings rise up to challenge the traditional landscape. Emblematic constructions such as Biblioteca España and Bancolombia’s headquarters have been awarded international prizes for their innovative approach to building design.
Digital city In a step back from its history of manufacturing and industry, Medellin is now committed to connectivity, innovation and technological development. To support educational development throughout the city and especially in the more deprived neighbourhoods, the Council’s ‘Medellín Digital’ initiative is driving the availability of quality online content and services, as well as access for all through a range of public internet points funded by public utilities company EPM. Ruta N, meanwhile, is a publicly funded initiative promoting innovation and business, with an emphasis on scientific and technological development. Ruta N offers seminars, courses and meetings to businesspeople and students to improve their chances of success in the digital city.
City of sport Medellin was one of Colombia’s host cities for the U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2011, but sport in the city is not only about major international events. It’s also a channel through which the city council’s educational ambitions can be reinforced, with sporting initiatives and events for young people at risk from social exclusion. INDER Medellin, the city’s institute of sport and recreation, also runs 54 sports schools, where children and young people aged from 6 to 21 can learn more about a range of sporting activities, reinforcing the policy of using sport as a means of promoting healthy living for residents.
A fashion capital Young fashion designers in Medellin are aware of their heritage, as they combine their modern looks with traditional manufacturing techniques. The natural progression from the city’s leading role in the Colombian textile industry has meant that today the city itself is an expert in fashion. The Colombiamoda trade fair, held in Medellin, is the country’s leading fashion event and attracted almost 10,000 people in 2011. Organiser Inexmoda, the Colombian institute for fashion and export, is also based in Medellin and drives the city’s traditions forward by nurturing young talent and innovation projects within the fashion industry.
Tourism A combination of history, nature and art makes Medellin an attractive destination for international tourists. Medellin today is a bright city with lots of things to see. They include urban development projects not only of interest to local residents, with beautiful but practical buildings and improved transport that are worth a visit. Meanwhile, a broad range of cuisine, from street food to traditional dishes and modern gastronomic creations, gives the visitor the chance not only to try real Colombian food but also the authentic ‘Paisa’ welcome, typical of the Antioquia region.
Quality of life Regeneration programmes all over the city have meant areas that may have posed personal security risks in the past are now far more welcoming. But it’s not only visitors who have benefitted. Environmental awareness has led to reforestation efforts and better infrastructure, and thanks to systems such as Metrocable (a cable car system that joins with the city’s metro train system), moving around the city is now quicker, smoother and safer.
