Dialogue on Tourism (and Overtourism) at the Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto
This dialogue provides a reflective and critical space to examine the evolving relationship between tourism and the Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto, a cultural celebration included in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The session aims to explore the opportunities and tensions that tourism has introduced to one of Colombia’s most emblematic festivals.
The discussion begins with an overview of the historical, cultural, and symbolic significance of the Carnival. This first part highlights the values that led to its inscription on the UNESCO Representative List in 2009 and reflects on the meaning of this international recognition for local identity, cultural continuity, and community practices. The presentation then turns to an analysis of the impact of tourism on the Carnival between 2009 and 2026. This segment explores how increased national and international visibility has influenced the organization of the event, patterns of participation, economic dynamics, and the everyday life of the host city. It also considers how tourism has reshaped cultural expressions and examines both the benefits and the pressures associated with sustained growth in visitor numbers.
Giovany Paolo Arteaga Montes is a sociologist, specialist in Latin American Studies, specialist in cultural heritage and sustainable tourism, holder of a Master’s degree in History and a PhD in Anthropology. He is a researcher, university professor, and playwright, and currently serves as Director of the Mundo Espiral Foundation, an NGO accredited by UNESCO under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2022.
Dialogue on Tourism (and Overtourism) at the Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto with Giovany Paolo Arteaga Montes
Date: 23 June 2026
Time: 15:00 – 16:00 CET
