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Every year the town of Usenda in the municipality of Silvia, about 60 kilometers from Popayán, hosts the Víctor Luis Fernández Band Competition (Festival Nacional de Bandas Fiesteras), born in 2017 and named in honor of this Caucano musician who became mayor of Silvia on two occasions. .
The contest brings together more than 500 artists from all over the department performing rhythms such as bambuco, porro and fandango. Within the framework of this event, a peasant music competition from the southwest of the country is also held.
In addition to the presentations of the party bands from municipalities such as Morales, Cajibío and Piendamo, during the event there are also samples of folk dances, parades and gastronomic samples with typical products from the rural areas of the municipality of Silvia.
The Usenda Band Contest is a celebration that strengthens cultural identity, encourages local talent and promotes musical tradition in Cauca, while attracting visitors to this district, known as the “musical village of Cauca”, revitalizing its economy.
