Santa Elena: The true colors of Colombia
Santa Elena: The true colors of Colombia
Finca Londoño, Santa Elena, Colombia
When it comes to choosing a symbol for beauty and delicacy, flowers are undoubtedly it. Colombia, specifically the area of Santa Elena, is a worldwide renowned referent for flower specialists and harvesters.
Santa Elena, a corregimiento (village) close to Medellín, is called the “city of eternal Spring”. It is home to the tradition of silleteros, who grow flowers year-round and parade in late July towards the city wearing their art literally on their backs, in the form of traditional silletas, magnificent, immense flower arrangements full of delightful colors and fragrance.
Blanca Ligia Londoño is the owner of world-renowned Finca Londoño. She is also a mother. She is a role model for strength and pride.
She is the head of a large family that dedicates their lives to growing delightful flowers. She has plenty of stories to share, weaven throughout decades of hard work and dedication, empowerment and satisfaction. Through the tradition of silletas and the excellence of her and her family´s work, she has traveled the world representing silleteros. One of her greatest memories has been traveling, invited by the United States in 2001, to make 27 arrangements for the Colombian who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Once there, they paraded through the streets of NY with the mourning works of art, each of which was handed to the families, honoring the fallen.
Her parents used to sell flowers in churches and on the streets of Medellin, which they grew on the farm. She has raised 8 children, is now grandmother of 16 and great-grandmother of one.
The Londoño family opens their state in Santa Elena for very exclusive visits and stays, allowing visitors to discover this wonderful world of treasures and culture. In coincidence with the launching of Naya´s immersive experience in Colombia, which includes a visit to the Finca, we had a conversation with Doña Blanca. Her dedication to this ancestral tradition involving Nature´s beauty and her vast life experience of respect for local communities.
Blanca Ligia Londoño
Doña Blanca is originally from Medellin, she was born, raised and lives in Santa Elena. She describes the town of Santa Elena as a very beautiful, calm place to live. Her family has been making silletas in the flower farm for 104 years. They carry this work from generation to generation, observing processes, caring for the natural environment as well as traditions. In addition to growing flowers, the Londoño grow their own food.
Blanca, what are the traditional types of silletas?
B: The silletas can be presented in different types: the monumental, where the arrangement is made flower by flower, emblematic (flat), artistic (in three dimensions) and traditional. They are built using dozens of types of flowers.
How many women in the family are dedicated to this?
B: Six sisters and three daughters. My three daughters and I plant and pick the flowers, we sell them and parade.
What experiences can visitors receive?
B: We actively receive travelers and organize visits to the farm. We teach them how to put up a silleta, serve typical dishes such as sancocho antioqueño, beans, rice, fresh salads, pork rinds, chorizo and ground beef.
What is it about Santa Elena that makes it such a special ideal area for flower-growing?
B: Santa Elena has very good, generous land. We are located 8,500 ft above sea level: we could plant anything in this soil. We don't use greenhouses, everything is open air land, and we only use organic fertilizers.
What are your childhood memories, growing up in the silleteros tradition?
B: I treasure the most beautiful memories being absolute winners in all 4 versions of silletas. The greatest pride is to be recognized among many artisans. It means that our teamwork is shared and celebrated as an entire family.
How do people live their daily lives in Santa Elena?
B: Here people are wonderful, chatty, we love gathering among neighbors, cousins, siblings… people are so very kind.
Blanca, how would you define Colombians and being Colombian?
B: Colombians are hardworking, honest, straight-forward. We value peace, tranquility and have much respect for visitors, wanting them to have a great experience when traveling around our Country. To me, being Colombian is the greatest thing in life. And living in Santa Elena is something I take immense pride in.
Thank you Blanca!
