Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced that Monday, July 15, 2024, will be a Civic Holiday in celebration of the Copa America final, in which the Colombian national football team will compete.
The declaration was made during Petro’s latest official event in New York to provide an update on the peace agreement with the FARC at the UN.
During a press conference at Queens College in New York, the president announced that the government is preparing a decree to declare a civic holiday nationwide. This measure applies to public institutions, with private companies having the option to participate. It was also emphasised that the civic holiday will proceed regardless of whether the Colombian team wins the Copa America final.
“As we approach July 20, the Colombian national team represents unity, not violence or polarization. The flag of Colombia symbolizes unity, so on Monday, the day of victory, we will celebrate with a civic holiday that we envision as a day of unity,” said the president.
The purpose of this day is to encourage citizens to participate in meaningful national events. This day allows national public entities under the central government to suspend their work activities. “I would recommend that worker committees engage in dialogue with employers and collectively enjoy the day of Colombian unity,” invited the president.
He added, “We will celebrate with a civic holiday that we envision as the day of Colombian unity. Public and private enterprises, as well as public and private institutions, should allow people to stay home that day, react, drink, dance, be joyful, celebrate with their girlfriends, boyfriends, friends, and colleagues, and let us believe that unity is possible.”
