Through the stage production Entre Mitos y Cuentos (Between Myths and Stories), the artistic group of the Universidad Industrial de Santander celebrated three decades of artistic work and honored the legacy of Maestro Nicolás Maestre Martínez, known as “Colacho,” a key figure in its musical and cultural history.
The music, dance, and stories of Colombia’s regions came together at the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) during the presentation of Entre Mitos y Cuentos, a stage production through which Macondo UIS celebrated 30 years of artistic work and paid tribute to Maestro Nicolás Maestre Martínez, known as “Colacho.”
The performance explored myths and legends from Colombia’s South Pacific region, the Magdalena Medio region, and the Colombian Caribbean, bringing cultural expressions that are part of the country’s collective memory and roots to the stage. Through these traditions, the group highlighted the diversity that converges at the university and the importance of keeping Colombia’s popular heritage alive.
The tribute was also an opportunity to recognize the mark Maestro Colacho left on the artistic and personal development of Macondo UIS members. For Laura Palacios, a member of the group, the performance held special meaning. “It is a deeply moving tribute, honoring the maestro’s memory, everything he taught us, and the dances and movements he passed on to us,” she said.
Emotion was also evident among the audience. Juan Sebastián Patiño García, who grew up in the department of Cesar, highlighted his connection with his roots and with vallenato music and folklore. “I feel that Maestro Colacho has never left us, he has never left us, and he never will,” he said, recalling the maestro’s passion for music and Colombian art.
For other audience members, the performance offered an opportunity to discover a story they had not known before. María Fernanda Parra, from Bucaramanga, highlighted the importance of sharing this legacy with younger generations, describing it as “wonderful that this gift is passed on to future generations.” Meanwhile, Yolanda Martínez praised the maestro’s journey and the lasting impact of his work, emphasizing “his story, his career, the seed he planted, and the fruits it continues to bear.”
With 30 years of artistic work, Macondo UIS has established itself as an interdisciplinary, multicultural space that brings together members from different regions of Colombia. Through music, dance, and other artistic expressions, the group contributes to the preservation, promotion, and dissemination of Colombian folklore while strengthening the connection between university education and the cultural traditions of the country’s regions.
The performance of Entre Mitos y Cuentos was therefore both a celebration of Macondo UIS’s history and a tribute to those who have helped shape it. It served as a reminder that cultural roots remain alive when they are shared, passed on, and embraced by new generations.
