With 150,000 Flowers of Colombia embellishing the San Francisco River in downtown Bogotá, the city celebrated El Canto del Río, a symbolic act of unity and diversity marking the opening of the International Art and City Biennial (BOG25), held for the first time in Bogotá, Colombia. Organized in partnership between the Bogotá Mayor's Office and Flowers of Colombia, this collective creation invited citizens to reflect on reconciliation, coexistence, and the role of art and nature in shaping a shared future.
© Asocolflores
Just as artists use colors, textures, and shapes to give life to their work, flowers are nature's living brushstrokes. With more than 60 species and 1,600 varieties, Flowers of Colombia offer an extensive palette of textures, sizes, colors, and fragrances that inspire and move. Art seeks to communicate ideas and emotions; flowers do the same, carrying a message of hope, beauty, and diversity from Colombia's fields to the world.
From Botticelli's Birth of Venus to Takashi Murakami's Smiling Flowers, blooms have inspired artists across centuries. Today, Flowers of Colombia continue this dialogue between nature and creativity. Their beauty has graced international stages such as Art Basel at the Pérez Art Museum Miami, Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains, and the Latin American Fashion Summit—proof of their ability to cross borders and connect cultures.
© Asocolflores
"From ancient times, flowers have inspired artists of every discipline. Today, 150,000 Flowers of Colombia bring this inspiration to El Canto del Río, dressing Bogotá's Environmental Axis and honoring the work of the 240,000 people who make it possible for our flowers to reach more than 100 countries with a message of peace, harmony, and hope," said Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores.
© Asocolflores
For Asocolflores, El Canto del Río represents the power of public–private collaboration to create artistic expressions that inspire and transform. The 150,000 donated flowers—roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, among others cultivated in the savannah of Bogotá—symbolize not only beauty but also employment, social programs, and respect for biodiversity.
© Asocolflores
By blending art and flowers, the Bogotá International Art and City Biennial (BOG25) showcased Colombia's floriculture as a source of creativity, sustainability, and national pride. Through El Canto del Río, 150,000 Flowers of Colombia not only transformed the heart of Bogotá into a living artwork but also highlighted the country's role as the world's second-largest flower exporter, bringing beauty, diversity, and innovation from the savannah of Bogotá to more than 100 countries.
For more information:
Asocolflores
https://asocolflores.org/
