We present to you Colombia – not Columbia.

We often get questions like, “So, I hear Plan Columbia’s going well?” from smart, educated people. Even in serious publications and places like the National Zoo we have seen time and time again our country’s name misspelled as “Columbia.” This innocent mistake, while logical – heck, the District where this university is located and an Ivy League school share our country’s misnomer – reflects a greater reality about the American public’s knowledge, or lack thereof, about our country. We are writing here to emphasize adamantly that it’s Colombia, not Columbia.

Columbia is cocaine. Columbia is violence, kidnappings and civil war. Columbia is what figures in academia sometimes refer to as a failed state (note to them: Please get past Weber). Columbia is the jungle Arnold Schwarzenegger conquered single-handedly and where Brangelina fell in love by taking on an army. I guess Columbia could be the occasional coffee of the day at Starbucks. Sound familiar?

Anyway, what we are trying to do here is not to challenge misconceptions; we are writing – and are organizing a monumental Colombian week – to demonstrate that there is so much more to our country. We want you to see for yourself. We present to you, Colombia.

Our country is a land of happy, peace-loving people of all colors (as you might have seen, second happiest in the world, according to the 2006 Happy Planet Index conducted by the British think tank, the New Economics Foundation) affected by the deadly plagues of terrorism and drugs. Colombia is a land of talented individuals such as pop-rock superstar Shakira, Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez, prominent artist Fernando Botero and soccer legend Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama (Come see him play this Thursday at the Multi-Sport Facility!). Colombia is a paradise of natural beauties, featuring five climate regions with breathtaking beaches and mountain ranges. Colombia is a land of riches and natural resources and is a world leader in the production of emeralds, gold, carbon, coffee and flowers. Colombia is a country of innovation, home of one of the oldest airlines and the second most-developed sugar cane ethanol industry in the Western Hemisphere. Colombia is a country of institutions, a longtime friend of democracy and a top U.S. ally in the region. Colombia offers the best of both worlds: traditional pueblos and thriving cosmopolitan cities. Colombia is a united nation, thriving despite its troubles.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Colombia during “Colombian Week.” Since we’re bugging you everywhere, you probably will, even if you don’t want to. Take a look at our exhibitions, have a taste of our food, come to our featured events – find out what we are all about. Please join us and support us in this cause. Te invitamos!

Julian de Lavalle is a junior in the College and is a member of Georgetown Por Colombia.

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