In August the municipality of La Virginia, about 35 kilometers from Pereira, pays tribute to Luis Ramírez Saldarriaga with the El Caballero Gaucho Popular Music Festival ( Festival de Música Popular el Caballero Gaucho).

This famous musician and composer, considered the patriarch of Colombian popular music, was born in Pereira in 1917 but settled in La Virginia for many years, which is why he is considered a son of this municipality.
 
During the festival, local and national artists come together to perform songs of spite, love and heartbreak, genres that were immortalized by "El Caballero Gaucho", whose legacy continues among popular music lovers. 

One of the main events of the festival is the emulator contest in which the best imitator of El Caballero Gaucho is awarded, as well as the Bohemian Carnival in which it is a tradition for the children of La Virginia to dress up by painting the distinctive mustache of this musician. 

Recreational and cultural activities, such as traditional dances and parades, are also part of the event, attracting tourists and locals alike.
 
The El Caballero Gaucho Popular Music Festival ( Festival de Música Popular el Caballero Gaucho) not only celebrates the life and work of this icon, but also strengthens the musical and cultural identity of La Virginia, becoming a regional benchmark.

Other events that may interest you