Colombia’s ARC Gloria in Stockholm harbour for the 150-year celebration of diplomatic relations.

To celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations between Colombia and Sweden, the Swedish Embassy in Bogotá hosted a reception with members of the Swedish community resident in the country, business leaders representing Swedish companies in Colombia, friends of the foreign mission, as well as diplomats from other Embassies.

The Bogotá reception was held in celebration of Sweden’s National Day on June 6 and a historic milestone that highlights a long-standing partnership driven by a shared vision of peace, equality, innovation, democracy, and sustainable development.

The friendship between Colombia and Sweden is illustrated by numerous stories of collaboration. From a Swede and a Colombian participating together in the liberation campaign of Simón Bolivar, to pioneering efforts in scientific diplomacy, the relationship has been robust and multifaceted. Sweden’s consistent support for Colombia’s peace efforts further underscores this enduring alliance.

The relationship between the two countries has facilitated continuous collaboration across various fields, including political, commercial, academic, migratory, cultural, and development cooperation.

As part of the celebrations, the Embassy launched two commemorative publications that highlight the historical ties of the bilateral relationship, both in commercial and development cooperation spheres. These documents will be available online to the general public.

In addition to the formal event, a business fair featuring ten prominent Swedish companies operating in Colombia had its own showcase. Companies such as Volvo Cars, Volvo Group, AstraZeneca, Scania, Saab, Education First, Securitas, Essity – Grupo Familia, KLM, and Epiroc presented their contributions to strengthening the bilateral relationship.

A special guest of the celebration included a concert of Jon Henrik Fjällgren, a Colombian-born, Swedish-raised artist from the Sami indigenous community. Fjällgren, known for his unique joik music style, gave the reception a unique cultural touch. “With Jon Henrik’s performance, attendees learned about joik, an artistic expression of the Sami people, considered one of the oldest musical forms in Europe,” stated Ambassador Storm.

The event and ongoing celebrations throughout the year can be followed via the official hashtag #LaHistoriaQueEscribimosJuntos, encouraging broader engagement and recognition of this historic partnership.

The reception preceded the first official visit to Stockholm of President Petro where, in Stockholm, he signed an important bilateral agreement with his Swedish counterpart, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Fuente: The City Paper Bogotá