Official Colombia 2011 song sure to be a hit

The countdown to the start of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 continued on Thursday with the release of the official tournament song Nuestra Fiesta (Our Party), which is performed by the well-known Colombian artist Jorge Celedon.

Celebrating the song’s launch was the President of the Colombia 2011 Local Organising Committee Luis H. Bedoya Giraldo, who was joined at the event by representatives of the Colombian government and some of the country’s best-known business leaders, sports personalities and musicians. An infectious, joyful tune, Nuestra Fiesta, will be played up and down the land in the lead-up to the big event, which begins in Barranquilla on 29 July and ends in the capital Bogota on 20 August.

“For the last few months we’ve been working hand in hand with SONY and Jorge Celedon on a song that sums up just how great our country is, and which the whole world can enjoy in a competition as important as the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011,” commented President Bedoya. “We are delighted with the result and we are convinced that this song will give the tournament an identity and get the whole country dancing. Make no mistake, our party starts now.”

Heavily influenced by the cumbia and vallenato rhythms Colombia is famous for and featuring the unmistakable sound of acclaimed accordionist Jimmy Zambrano, Nuestra Fiesta set the tone at a colourful, fun-packed launch at the Hotel Cosmos 100 in Bogota, which was attended by 400 guests.

Encapsulating the happiness, warmth and friendliness of the Colombian people, Nuestra Fiesta represents the latest landmark in the countdown to the eagerly awaited tournament. Anticipation will heighten further on 27 April when the final draw takes place in the coastal city of Cartagena, where the 24 finalists will find out the identity of their group-phase opponents.

Visit www.FIFA.com/colombia2011 to buy tickets, the official online ticketing office. You can also buy tickets by phone in Spanish at the following numbers: in Bogota, +57 (1) 593-6300; in Barranquilla, +57 (1) 309-7460; in Cali, +57 (1) 405-5300; and in Medellin: +57 (1) 444-6300. To access from your mobile, just dial #593.