(Arranged by date of birth)

Writers and Poets

Antonio Gnecco Coronado (1871-1937) – Writer and journalist.
As one of the first guajiros interested in the culture of his land, Gneccos' romantic poems are interconnected to local customs, experiences, and feelings. Some of his poems can be found in the Colombian literature book La Guajira.
In 1895 he founded La Camelia newspaper. He was born in Riohacha.

Víctor J. Arismendy – Poet.
Arismendy appears in the the book called La Guajira in Colombian Literature . His poems show his sensitivity, beauty, and honesty. He was born in Riohacha in 1909.

Vitorio Apüshana (Miguel Angel López) – Poet.
Apüshana, a native wayüu, 'is the best guajiro poet we know" says the writer and journalist Juan Manuel Roca.
In 2000, he received the “House of Americas” prize during the X International Festival of Poetry in Medellin. Apüshana was born in La Guajira in 1965.

Hernán Urbina Joiro – Medical doctor, humanist, writer, journalist and composer.
A prominent doctor of internal medicine, a great historian, columnist, and journalist, Dr. Urbina's works include, Flight, Journalism and Literature, Lyrical Vallenata, and Among the Tracks of the India Catalina. He has also composed many pieces of Vallenata music.
He is a member of the Academy of History of Cartagena and has been awarded with many distinctions, such as, the National Prize of Medicine Merck Sharp and Dohme, the Civil Order to Merit, the Gold Door Order of Colombia, the Order of Admiral Padilla, and the Medal of Merit Félix Arias. Dr. Urbina was born in San Juan del Cesar in 1965.

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Musicians, Composers and Singers

Luis Pitre (1868-1948) – Accordionist.
He belonged to the first generation of the Vallenata musicians. Pitre was born in Fonseca.

Emiliano Zuleta (1912-2005) – Composer.
Zuleta was the author of more than 100 songs such as El Indio Manuel María, Carmen Díaz, La Pimientica, and La Gota Fría. He was one of six composers given the title of “King of the Unpublished Song” at the Festival of Vallenata Legend. He was born in La Jagua del Pilar.

Carlos Huertas Gómez 'El Cantor de Fonseca' (1934-1999) – Composer
Composer of vallenata music, Huertas Gómez is the author of songs such as Orgullo Guajiro, La Casa, Tierras del Sinú, Lola la Negra, Mis Delirios, Tierra de Cantores, and El Cantor de Fonseca . He was born in Dibulla.

Nicolás Elías "Colacho" Mendoza (1936- 2003) – Singer.
Crowned “King of Valllenato” in 1969, Mendoza was a renowned interpreter of this music. In 1987 he was named “King of Kings”. He was born in Caracol.

(Cont. Musicians, Composers and Singers)

The Zuleta Brothers – Composers and singers of vallenata music
Consisting of Emiliano Alcides, nicknamed “the gold stutterer”, and of Tomás Alfonso known as "The gold lung”, these composers have more than 60 songs to their credit.
They received 30 Golden Congos at the Carnival of Barranquilla, 21 platinum records, and 35 gold records in recognition of their talent in creating vallenata music. The brothers were born in Villanueva, in 1944 and 1948 respectively.

Jorge Celedón – Composer and singer of vallenata music
A great performer of coastal region vallenata music, Celedón has been distinguished many times over. His awards include the medal of "Almirante José Prudencio Padilla" and the medal “Cerro Pintao”. In 2006 he received his greatest honour at the Villanueva Accordions Cradle Festival, the “Order of Gran Caballero" in music from the Congress of Colombia.
He has achieved great success along side accodionist Jimmy Zambrano. Celedón was born in Villanueva in 1968.

Silvestre Dangond Corrales – Composer and singer
A well-known artist, Dangond is a singer and composer of vallenata music who has earned great success. He won “Best Artist of the Public” at the “Prizes of Our Land” contest in 2007. He was born in Urumita in 1980.

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Music Bands

El Binomio de Oro - El Nuevo Binomio de Oro de América
Created in June of 1976, this band is now recognized as one of the most popular Colombian musical groups, having been met with great success on and off the radio. They have received numerous prizes, among them a double platinum album. The members are:
Rafael Orozco (1954- 1992), born in Becerril.
Israel Romero, born in Villanueva (Guajira).
Juan Carlos Centeno, born in Caracas (Venezuela).
Santiago Quintero Junior, born in Villanueva (Guajira).
José Fernando Romero, born in Villanueva (Guajira).

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Beauty Queens "Miss Colombia"




–1985–
María Mónica Urbina Pluguiese
Born in Riohacha in 1967.






–1988–
María Teresa Egurrola Hinojosa
Born in San Juan del Cesar in 1971.

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"MISSES COLOMBIA" SINCE 1932

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