Barranquilla has chosen its Carnaval de la 44 queen: María Juliana Olaciregui is the queen of the People’s Carnival 2027. Credit:Oneeighteen, C-BY-NC-2.0 / Flickr
Barranquilla has a new queen for the 2027 Carnaval de la 44. Maria Juliana Olaciregui Jimenez, a social communicator and dancer associated with the Son de Mar comparsa, was officially presented as the queen of this popular celebration. Her selection marks the beginning of preparations for a new edition of one of the city’s main carnival events.
The new queen brings experience in dance and folkloric traditions that characterize the Carnaval de la 44. Her background with carnival groups will allow her to take on a role not only representing the celebration, but also promoting traditions that remain deeply rooted in Barranquilla’s neighborhoods.
Alongside Olaciregui, the other members of the so-called popular carnival monarchy were announced. Jefry Oquendo Arrieta, a dance teacher and cultural entrepreneur, was appointed Rey Momo. The children’s court will be represented by 12-year-old Luciana Cecilia Florez Alemán as queen and 13-year-old Aram Joel Calderón Díaz as king and accordionist, who has received recognition at vallenato festivals.
The formation of the new court launches an agenda whose main objectives include highlighting traditional carnival expressions and giving greater visibility to the artists, dancers, musicians, and cultural organizers who participate in them.
Why does Barranquilla have two carnival queens? What does the Carnaval de la 44 queen do?
Having two queens in Barranquilla can be confusing for people who are unfamiliar with the history of its celebrations. The reason is that the city has two carnival traditions with their own organizations, routes, and traditions: the Carnaval de Barranquilla and the Carnaval de la 44.
The Carnaval de Barranquilla is the city’s official celebration and has a stronger tourism-oriented profile, while the Carnaval de la 44 emerged as a popular and community-based expression. For this reason, each celebration has its own queen and develops an independent program.
The Carnaval de la 44 was founded in 1984 as an initiative led by carnival makers and local communities seeking to preserve a celebration closely connected to neighborhood traditions. Over the years, the event developed its own identity around Carrera 44 and its parades, becoming an important platform for folkloric groups and popular artists.
This means that Olaciregui does not replace or institutionally compete with the queen of the official Carnaval de Barranquilla. Her role specifically corresponds to the Carnaval de la 44. For 2027, the queen of the official Carnaval de Barranquilla will be Salwa Maloof Habib, meaning both women will represent different celebrations during Barranquilla’s carnival season.
Although the two organizations and their programs differ, both celebrations share the goal of preserving Barranquilla’s cultural traditions. The coexistence of the two carnival courts reflects the different ways in which the city celebrates its most important cultural festival.
Carnaval de la 44 prepares an agenda focused on traditional dances
One of the main themes announced for 2027 will be the preservation and promotion of traditional dances and folkloric expressions. Organizers want these cultural manifestations to play a central role in the events planned for the upcoming carnival season.
Olaciregui’s coronation is scheduled for January 23, 2027, at Plaza de la Paz. The event will be free to the public and will feature a show dedicated to traditional dances, in line with the cultural focus of her reign.
The program will also include some of the celebration’s most representative events. These include the Batalla de Flores Sonia Osorio, which will take place along Carrera 44, as well as the Gran Parada Carlos Franco, two events where comparsas and folkloric groups play a central role.
Another scheduled event is La Conquista del Carnaval, which will pay tribute to Bernardo Guzmán Medina. The event will be part of a broader program designed to recognize people who have spent years helping preserve the traditions of this celebration.
The new reign will also have an international dimension. Maria Juliana Olaciregui has been invited to participate in cultural activities in Madrid, Spain, where she is expected to take part in the Hispanic Heritage parade. Her schedule also includes activities alongside Salwa Maloof Habib, potentially creating a point of connection between the two representatives of Barranquilla’s carnival celebrations.