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From the Alborada to the New Year: The Magic and Contrasts of December in Medellín
 
For a paisa or Colombian family, December is more than a month: it is a season full of traditions, encounters and emotions that are lived intensely from November 30th with the Alborada (only in Medellín), although that night, at midnight, the sky lights up with fireworks and the sound of gunpowder resonates in every corner of Medellín and the Aburra Valley. In many houses, people go out to the balconies, streets and especially to the viewpoints of the city to enjoy the spectacle while sharing aguardiente, beer, rum, excited by the arrival of the most special month of the year.
 
However, the Alborada is not exempt from controversy. This practice, born about 20 years ago in the context of the demobilization of armed groups, reflects both the joy and the challenges of our culture. While some families celebrate with enthusiasm, others criticize the environmental impact, the suffering of animals and the accidents that each year claim victims, especially children.
 
The festive spirit continues with the Day of the Candles, on December 7, when the streets and houses are illuminated with lanterns and candles. It is a magical moment of family unity, where we prepare natilla, buñuelos and enjoy the Bengal lights with the children. Although it has Catholic roots, for many families it is simply a time to give thanks and celebrate life. However, gunpowder, so present at this time, is once again a cause for concern due to burns and the damage it causes.
 
Come Christmas Eve, December 24, everything is centered on the family. We spend the day cooking traditional dishes such as frijoladas, chicharronada, special dishes or even a Christmas turkey. The table is filled with joy and conversation, and at midnight, after opening the presents and sharing hugs, the sky lights up again with fireworks. The next day, the 25th, tradition dictates a good sancocho, roasted in the streets to recharge energy and relieve the “enguayabe” from the previous night, accompanied by beer and music to maintain the festive mood.
 
December 31 has a special meaning. The children and young people of the neighborhood gather to build the Año Viejo, a rag doll that represents the year that is ending and that will be burned at midnight. Before, these dolls were filled with gunpowder, something that is now prohibited, although in some areas the practice is still maintained. In addition to the doll, traditional rituals are performed such as eating twelve grapes, wearing yellow underwear and walking around with a suitcase, wishing for a new year full of prosperity and adventure.
 
At midnight, the family hug and good wishes mark the beginning of a new cycle. Gunpowder explodes once again in the sky, while the neighborhoods are filled with laughter, music and toasts. On January 1, between tiredness and calm, we return to the table with a sancocho, reflecting the importance of food as a symbol of unity in our culture.
 
But December is not only joy; it is also a time to reflect. Although traditions are an invaluable treasure, our culture's relationship with gunpowder raises difficult questions. The risks to people, animals and the environment remind us of the need to rethink how we celebrate. Perhaps it is time to preserve the magic of December in more responsible ways, which allow us to continue enjoying this season without the costs that it sometimes entails.
 
In Medellín and Colombia, December is life, noise and excitement. It is a month that invites us to celebrate and reflect, to maintain our roots while we seek to build a more conscious and supportive future.

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