The silleteros parade at Medellín's Feria de las Flores

What it is

A silleta is a wooden frame with a seat, once used in the Andes to carry goods, and even people, on a porter's back. Farmers from Santa Elena, in the hills above Medellín, used them to bring flowers down to the city's markets. Since 1957 that walk has been a parade, the Desfile de Silleteros, and it closes the Feria de las Flores, the city's ten-day flower festival in early August. Several hundred silleteros, from children to grandparents, each carry an arrangement they have made themselves. The largest are flat discs of flowers two metres across, forming pictures and messages, and weigh as much as a person.

Before you go

• The parade is long and the sun is strong. Bring a hat and water, or book a seat in a shaded stand.
• After the parade the silletas are put on display. That is the time to look closely.
• Applaud as each one passes. The carriers are tired and proud, and the crowd's cheering is part of it.

The flowers you will see

ChrysanthemumAutumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyondCarnationA fragrant flower with ruffled petals, grown worldwide for decoration and meaningGladiolusTall, showy flower spikes grown from corms, known as sword liliesLilyTall bulb flowers with large, colourful blooms in many gardens and culturesCommon sunflowerA tall annual plant grown for its large yellow flower heads and edible seeds

Read more

Festival of the FlowersMedellín’s annual celebration of flowers, culture, and community

More in Medellín

🇨🇴 Medellín · All yearMaking a silleta with a grower family in Santa ElenaSpend half a day on a small flower farm above Medellín, hear the family's story and build a small silleta yourself. 🇨🇴 Medellín · All yearThe Orquideorama at Medellín's botanical gardenA city garden with free entry, known for a tall honeycomb canopy of wood and steel that shelters its orchid displays. 🇨🇴 Bogotá · All yearThe dawn flower market at PaloquemaoAt first light, growers from the Bogotá savanna fill the forecourt of Paloquemao market with roses, lilies and sunflowers. 🇨🇴 Bogotá · All yearVisiting a flower farm on the Bogotá savannaA day trip to the greenhouse farms outside Bogotá, to see how export roses and carnations are grown, cut and packed.