Festival celebrates Afro-Costa Rican culture

Plaza Lincoln in Moravia, north of San José, is the place to be this weekend: the Festival of Flowers of the African Diaspora and Other Cultures kicks off today and continues through Sunday, Oct. 25. A wide variety of cultural activities such as concerts, dance, photography, film screenings, and fashion shows with traditional and contemporary indigenous, Chinese, Arab, and African clothing will be offered during the four-day extravaganza.

This festival, now in its 17th edition and organized by the Foundation of Art and Culture for Development, seeks to celebrate Afro-Costa Rican culture and promote a multicultural environment.

Today’s inauguration will take place at 6:30 pm with the presentation of the Chinese Lions Dance, a musical performance by the band Master Key, and many more artists.

“The festival is a cultural show in which the indigenous people and diasporas’ cultures will be shared, enhancing the African, Chinese, Jewish… and other cultures that form part of the national identity,” organizer Carol Britton said in a statement.

The photography exhibition “Multicultural Costa Rica” by photographers Garrett Briton, Etzia Granera and Jesús Fung will also be part of this cultural celebration.

The activity has no entrance fee and is open to the public. For more information or for the full program, visit the event’s Facebook page or website.