Celebrating the Power of Global Community: A Recap of Live In MDE 3
On Saturday, November 11, 2023, El Poblado MDE hosted the highly-anticipated, Live In MDE 3: Celebrating the Power of Global Community. Held at the iconic Medellín Museum of Modern Art (MAMM), Live In MDE 3 brought together over 150 attendees across diverse sectors of students, global residents, local business owners, and key stakeholders to discuss the role and impact the global community has on El Poblado and the broader Medellín region. Structured around a featured panel discussion, Live In MDE 3 invited attendees to hear from distinguished panelists, connect with local vendors and brand partners, and network with other residents and members within the El Poblado community.
The afternoon kicked off at 2 pm with a Welcome Drink where attendees fostered conversation over delicious drinks. Serving as a perfect introduction to the event, the Welcome Drink encouraged attendees to engage in fruitful conversations and foster strong connections with one another. Attendees were then invited to explore our Culture Market. The Culture Market featured 12 booths where attendees could interact with our amazing brand partners and local vendors.
Providing guests with decadent food, hand-made jewelry and clothing, one-of-a-kind apparel, and beautiful pottery, the Culture Market allowed attendees to engage with El Poblado’s rich art and culture through our vendors and brand partners. Attendees traveled booth to booth as they savored delicious food and drinks provided by our brand partners, Una Cocina Del Mundo, Legrí Sangría, Animal Cocina, Licores Medellín, El Rol Sushi, Típicos Parce, Fizzy, Nativo Oriente, and Mundo Soda, and shop at our three amazing vendors, Reverso Anverso, ColdCrafts, and Home Poetry. Reverso Anverso is a shop created by Susana Méndez that specializes in creating hand-made tops and accessories for its consumers to enjoy. Cold Crafts was created by Melissa Gómez and began selling accessories and has transformed into providing diverse pieces of clothing, accessories, and more. Home Poetry created by Laura Velasquez aims to provide wonderful experiences through its various sustainable artisanal products including pottery and tableware.
All eyes then shifted to the panel discussion for the panelists to discuss their perspectives and share their experiences about the growing global community in El Poblado. Moderated by Universal Admedia and El Poblado MDE’s Creative Director, M Aroonrut, the panel included a line-up of distinguished speakers and industry leaders within and beyond the El Poblado community. The panelists included Juan Duque, Daniel Hernández Estrada, Bad Milk, and Maria del Carmen Mesa Estrada. Duque is a Colombian urban singer and songwriter who uses his music to showcase his Paisa Pride. Hernández Estrada serves as the co-founder and creative director of La Rufina, a company that embodies freedom and encompasses a restaurant, cafe, motorcycle club, and more. Bad Milk is a Colombian singer and songwriter whose songs not only serve as entertainment but are used to empower young women and girls. Mesa Estrada serves as the cultural manager and producer for Parque Explora, an interactive science museum, planetarium, and aquarium that looks to educate and engage the El Poblado community.
The panel discussion touched on various topics surrounding the theme of global community, allowing each panelist to share that despite growing up in different Colombian communities and having diverse backgrounds they each have the same goal – ensure that they are representing their home of Medellín. Diving into thoughtful conversations surrounding El Poblado’s neighborhood, the panel discussed some of the problems the local community faces, including the impending gentrification of its neighborhoods. The panel took time to discuss the key differences between development and gentrification, the roles they play in Medellín, and how not only its citizens but also its government can ensure that development within the region isn’t being turned into gentrification.
The panel also spent some time discussing the topic of representation and the responsibility community members have to ensure that Medellín is being represented correctly. The panel believed that when it comes to representation, Medellín needs to be represented fully in all its sectors and aspects, not just being known solely for its sex tourism or relation to Pablo Escobar, but instead be known for its rich culture, tight-knit community, and the countless opportunities that can be reached throughout the city. The panel stated that as a community, El Poblado needs to ensure that tourists are being educated on the community and what it represents not only to those visiting but most importantly, what it means to local community members. Inspired by the theme of the event, each panelist shared their own thoughts and insights on what it means to be a global resident, especially for Juan Duque and Bad Milk. The two singers discussed that while they are reaching a broader audience across the globe, they want to use their music and platform to showcase their pride in their roots and represent their home country of Colombia.
Following the panel discussion, attendees were then able to present any questions to the panelists through an hour-long Q&A session. Having ample time to share their own perspectives and insights, our attendees presented a diverse range of burning questions that provided even more insightful conversations. Once the panel discussion and Q&A session were concluded, guests enjoyed a traditional Papayera performance from the local band, Sabor Yembé, who gave a modern twist to classic Colombian music for all attendees to enjoy. The live entertainment continued with an outstanding set from DJ Moe who provided amazing beats for our guests to dance the night away. A select group of attendees were then able to continue the party at the exclusive invite-only Live In MDE 3 After Party held at Masaya Medellín.
Bringing together over 150 attendees, Live In MDE 3: Celebrating the Power of Global Community was the perfect way to round out 2023 and provide another stellar opportunity for the El Poblado community to share ideas, exchange perspectives, and highlight El Poblado and all it hopes to achieve. Having this third edition of Live In MDE at the MAMM which is an iconic building that embodies the rich history and culture was a dream come true. The MAMM was the perfect location for this event, as we were able to bring the El Poblado community together in an elevated space that has evolved into the cultural hub of the city.
El Poblado MDE would like to thank all those who made Live In MDE 3 possible and helped make it an unforgettable experience for all. Without our amazing brand partners, fantastic vendors, outstanding live entertainment, and wonderful attendees, this third edition of Live In MDE wouldn’t have been possible. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or just getting your first introduction to El Poblado MDE, we sincerely thank you for your continued support. We can’t wait to see what 2024 will bring for El Poblado MDE and the Live In MDE Event Series!
