The Colombian government will spend more than 2.2 million U.S. dollars on the fourth Spanish Language Congress, scheduled for March 26-29 in the Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena de las Indias, officials told local radio on Monday.

Most of the money will come from Colombian Culture Ministry's budget, officials from the ministry said.

The Congress, which is held every three years, is considered the most important Spanish Language cultural event.

Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will inaugurate the event alongside renowned Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner of the 1982 Nobel prize for literature.

Garcia's 80th birthday, the 25th anniversary of his Nobel Prize and the 40th anniversary of the publication of his masterwork, 100 Years of Solitude will be celebrated at the festival.

The event has attracted sportsmen, artists, scientists, business people, writers, journalists, linguists and historians.

Source: Xinhua