Being blessed with one of the best climates in the world is considered a gift and a responsibility in the coffee town of Atenas, west of San José. To celebrate their community, members of the Atenas Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (CATUCA) initiated the annual Feria del Clima (Climate Fair) in 2004.
The 2009 edition of the fair, set for this weekend, has been proclaimed “pro carbon neutral.” The event kicks off today with a tree-planting ceremony along Highway 3 to support Costa Rica’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
CATUCA Director Marietta Arce says the purpose of the fair is to provide residents and visitors with access to national talent in the form of art, music, gastronomy and local traditions.
Throughout the weekend, the Atenas Central Park will serve as a playground for an array of activities, including performances by actors, dancers, puppeteers, storytellers and musicians.
Other highlights include the first Atenas Cooking Contest today and a matinee by hip-hop group La Zona and a local marimba orchestra tomorrow. On Sunday morning, Alajuela-based Teatro Som presents its unique giant marionettes, followed by the traditional oxcart parade, while the afternoon will see professionals from San José’s Melico Salazar Theater interpret Latin American rhythms. The closing act will be a free concert by acclaimed Tico band Malpaís, which Arce says “stands for the essence of Costa Rica’s contemporary music.”
For more information, visit www.atenascatuca.com or call the bilingual Arce at 8395-3923.
–Gaby Kyriss
