Culture/Ethnic
National Indigenous Organization of Colombia -
The office of the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia, the ONIC, is located 4-38 14th St. in La Candelaria. Tel: 284-2168 / 805-0773 / 805-0757 / Fax: 284-3465 . The ONIC advocates for and defends the rights of indigenous peoples, many of whom have suffered terribly from Colombia’s civil war. They also sell coca leaf products and indigenous handicrafts from their office.
An archive photo shows a 1939 beer delivery vehicle. Bogotá visitors discover that mules and burros still carry stuff through the city's streets.
Archivo de la Candelaria – On the corner of 13th St. and 3rd Ave. Photos and exhibitions about local culture – including the drinking culture.
The archive opened in Sept. 2009, and during the ceremony M-16 – toting soldiers surrounded the building. Only in Colombia!
Casa de Poesia Silva
Casa de Poesia Silva/Silva House of Poetry
On the south side of 14th St. between 3rd and 4th Avenues (3-41 14th St. – right around the corner from Bogota Bike Tours), this famous cultural center hosts frequent poetry readings. The handsome building is also worth visiting for itself.
National Institute of Anthropology – 2-38 12th St. Tel: 561-9700 / -9400 / -9333/ -6333 The institute’s bookstore is located on the street’s south side and its library on the north side.
Gabriel Garcia Marquéz Cultural Center – 5-60 11th St. Tel: 283-2200 This brand new center a block from Plaza Bolivar was built by Colombia and Mexico in honor of the Nobel-prize winning novelist, who has lived in Mexico for decades. The center has bookstores and also holds free talks and conferences. Every Thursday they play chess in the entrance area.
Leo Tolstoy Russian Cultural Center -
On the north side of 14th St. just above 4th Ave., this small institution located right around the corner from Bogota Bike Tours shows video documentals and hosts talks and debates about Russian history and culture – generally from a leftist perspective. Also events about leftist Latinamericans such as Pablo Neruda and Salvador Allende; 3-86 14th St. – Tel: 480-1226 Cel: 312-540-4663 or 300-487-4702
Fundacion Rafael Pombo – 5-22 10th St. Tel: 342-0386 / 281-4534 / 284-2568 The foundation honors Pombo, a politician and author of children’s books, and holds literary events and activities for kids and has a library of children’s books.
National Archive/Archivo General de la Nación – 6-91 6th Ave. Tel: 328-2888 – Fax: 337-2019 A dramatic, beautiful building filled with lots of history. Located just south of La Candelaria. But don’t go wandering in the surrounding neighborhood.
Archivo de Bogota/Archive of Bogotá – The archive offers lots of historical displays and information. The building itself is a pleasure to walk through and commands a nice view of the city. But don’t go wandering in the surrounding ‘hood!
