Limón Carnival Aims To Revive Traditions

The Limón Carnival will kick off as usual in October in the Caribbean port city, and this year’s theme is the revival of the area’s traditions, both Caribbean and Costa Rican.

“We have four cultures in Limón,” said 2008 Caribbean Carnival Commission President Junior Allen. “Chinese, blacks, mixed people and indigenous people. We want to represent them all. Limón is not an island apart from Costa Rica. It forms a part of the Costa Rican tradition.”

The lineup of events includes celebrations of local food and dance, parades, concerts by local and international artists and the selection of the Carnival Queen.

“The first event will be the presentation of the (Carnival Queen) candidates on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m.,” Allen said.

Events start in earnest Oct. 10 with the crowning of the Queen and run through Oct. 19. The Youth Queen will be crowned the following day.

Fitting with the theme of cultural inclusion, the event will also include a traditional Costa Rican tope, or horse parade, on Oct. 12 in the hopes of expanding the cultural relevance beyond Limón.

In addition to the tope, Oct. 12 is also the date for a “Memory Dance” and “Costa Rican Concert.” A children’s parade will take place Oct. 17, with an international concert taking place the next day.

–Nicolas Ruggia