Mayor Daniel Quintero, with the saddle on his back: this is how the traditional parade of the Feria de Las Flores in Medellín was lived

This Sunday, the Silleteros Parade, one of the most anticipated events of the Flower Fair, which, although not held as usual, was a day full of emotions.

Amid tears and contained hugs, this morning the Silleteros Parade award ceremony was held in Arví Park, located in the town of Santa Elena, during a ceremony without an audience due to the health emergency.

During the night of this Saturday, the 18 jurors of this year’s Silleteros Parade were gathered in Plaza Mayor choosing the finalists of the competition.

In total they participated 510 sillets, of which were preselected 55, which were displayed this morning before the delivery of the pennants that distinguish the winners.

Although the event could be held despite the pandemic, there was melancholy in the flower growers who participated as they were unable to fill Medellín, capital of Antioquia, with flowers, as they had done for more than six decades, causing tears during the tour.

To select the best, the juries took into account criteria such as creativity, aesthetics and the artistic arrangement of the flowers in all categories.

After deliberating, the winner of the issue 63 it was Francisco Orlando Quintero, in the Artísana category, who relates that it was a hard moment not having all her classmates gathered as usual.

“It is an iconic parade. I have mixed feelings. I’m so glad I earned it. I would love to be in the city, carry it there and make people happy with this beautiful saddle, but the circumstances turned out like this “, expressed the floriculturist.

“Courage, my Colombia; Let’s not lose our joy ”, made this silletero, from the Barro Blanco village, take first place and lead the tour, after “Project hope” and express that “We can’t stop smiling and dreaming”.

In addition, Quintero used 25 varieties of flowers with which he gave life to a kind of Carnival mask, used in some popular festivals and by fans when the Colombian National Team plays.

“It reflects what we Colombians are: joy, party and color”, added the winner.

Likewise, in the category of Traditional Silletas ten finalists arrived, of which 5 were selected first, to define the great winner, which was John Jairo Grajales, from the village of El Porvenir, which won the award for the fourth consecutive year.

“Being a farmer fills me with pride, it is a compliment and satisfaction”Grajales said upon receiving the recognition.

On the other hand, the mayor of Medellín, Daniel Quintero, expressed his admiration for all silleteros through his social networks.

“Respect for the silleteros, they deserve all our applause. They are boars! ”, was the message he sent accompanied by a video.