July 29-August 7, Medellín, Colombia
The annual Medellín Flowers Festival sees Colombia's "City of Eternal Spring" bedecked with colourful blooms and gorgeous floral decorations.
The highlight is the "Flower Bearers' Parade" when more than 400 silleteros (flower-bearers) dressed in traditional peasant garb carry heavy, elaborately decorated litters through the streets.
The silleteros hail from the rural area of Santa Elena, and like the Flowers Festival itself, they have been officially declared a cultural heritage of the nation.
There are also firework displays, traditional music and culture shows, and exhibitions of art and flowers.
