Cuisines from 12 Countries Come Together for the First Time in Bogota

The "World in the Heart of Bogota" festival is set to take place this weekend, September 19 and 20, in Colombia's capital city. For the first time ever, delegations from 12 different countries – including Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala, the Philippines, Ecuador, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Palestine, Uruguay, El Salvador, and Lebanon, alongside the United Nations – will come together to showcase their unique dishes and culinary traditions.

The event will be held at the iconic El Country Park, where local and international cultures and cuisines will be shared. This festival is a strategic platform that aims to promote local economic development, boost tourism, and strengthen the city's pride through gastronomic and multicultural exchange. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a diverse range of dishes, such as Honduras' baleadas and cassava with pork rinds, Peru's mixed Chalaco ceviche and chocoteja, and Guatemala's jocon, loroco ticucas, chuchitos, tostadas, mole, and rellenitos.

Additionally, Ecuador's encebollado and figs with cheese, Lebanon's kibbeh and maakarun, Costa Rica's chifrijo, Turkey's mercimek kofte and baklava, El Salvador's pupusas, and the United Nations' causa, stuffed potato, and tiramisu will all be available for tasting.

The "World in the Heart of Bogota" festivals began in 2025 with Mexico as the first guest country. As part of the initiative by the Bogota Mayor's Office on food security issues, a portion of the festival's profits will be donated to the Mission Nutrition Bogota program. Led by the District's First Lady, Carolina Deik, in collaboration with the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and various industries, this festival will allow residents to get to know one another and immerse themselves in the cuisine and culture of different countries in a fun and creative manner.

Santiago Trujillo, secretary of Culture, Recreation and Sports of Bogota, emphasized that the festival showcases the city's commitment to being open and embracing diversity. Maria del Pilar Lopez Uribe, the city's Secretary of Economic Development, sees the event as an opportunity to open Bogota's doors to citizens and provide new avenues for local businesses to gain visibility and connect with diverse audiences through the "Hecho en Bogota" program.