කොලොම්බියාව සරුංගල් සැනකෙළිය

47th Wind and Kite Festival held in Colombia

Colombia celebrated its annual Wind and Kite Festival in the historic town of Villa De Leyva this weekend, wowing spectators with Chinese elements.

This year's guest of honor is China, the country that gave rise to the ancient art of kite-making that is now enjoyed around the world.

According to a popular Chinese legend, the first kites appeared more than two thousand years ago. Kite flying used to be a tool to send messages in wars and later went popular as a fun activity.

"We don't know if our ancestors were inspired by the wind that lifts hats and leaves, or the birds that fly. But what is internationally recognized is that the first kites appeared in China. According to another legend a philosopher of China spent three years making a bird of wood, and he was able to fly it for a whole day. This is the first registered account of kites," said Zhang Liping, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in the country.

Amateurs, professionals and even children compete in several categories including miniature and artisanal kites. The beautiful displays of color fill the skies for three days.

People like Andres Garcia and his wife Nancy have been competing and winning awards at the festival since 1999.

"The thing is, it happens when you are young, when you're a kid you see a kite and you can fall in love with that," said Andres Garcia, a Colombian kite lover.

With China as its special guest, the festival is promoting the history of Weifang, a city in east China's Shandong Province known as the "kite capital of the world." Yang Hongwei is a 15th-generation kite-maker, who learned her craft from her grandfather in Weifang, where she continues to manufacture kites today.

She shares her art not only through exhibits and workshops but by flying dragon kites. Keeping with centuries of tradition, the kites not only display beautiful designs but also carry messages of hope.

"The New Year messages bring good luck and this time I have brought the wish that your children may receive success their whole life," said Yang Hongwei, Weifang's kite master.

The Wind and Kite Festival was first launched in 1975 and has since become an annual event. It is Colombia's largest and most famous kite festival, attracting a myriad of participants every year.

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