Peacebuilding through arts and culture: the case of Colombia

Abstract

Colombia is ending a conflict of more than 50 years between the FARC-EP and the National Government. The conflict has left a divided society that harms the social fabric as well as economic consequences. Under this scenario, culture and the arts are playing an elemental role in the construction of peace, social fabric and memory. The article presents artistic and cultural initiatives that have achieved the mobilization of social capital, achieving important contributions in the social development of communities affected by violence. Finally, the article makes some recommendations that could be transferable to other countries that experience transitions from a conflict or post-conflict scenarios.