On Sunday, Sept. 15, Costa Rica will celebrate 198 years of independence.
The Culture Ministry (MCJ) has prepared a wide array of activities aimed at celebrating Costa Rica’s Independence Day. From lantern parades, to civic events, to concerts and dances, below is what MCJ has planned:
Parque La Libertad
La Libertad Park will offer two activities to celebrate Costa Rica.
The first is Sept. 14 with a parade of lanterns. Several schools will participate, touring the fairgrounds of the park from 5 to 8 p.m. Typically, about 2,500 people attend the event.
On Sunday, Sept. 15, for the first time, a parade will be held with students of the Francisco Gamboa school in Rio Azul and that of Linda Vista. That event will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Biblioteca Nacional de Costa Rica
The Miguel Obregón Lizano National Library is celebrating the national month with an exhibition entitled: “A Costa Rican party: the national celebration of September 15, 1841-1982.” It will be available until Sept. 30, and admission is free.
The exhibition covers the origin of Costa Rica’s lantern parades and past Independence Day celebrations.
In addition, as part of the celebration of the 198th Anniversary of Independence of Costa Rica, the conference “How Costa Rica celebrated the 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 175 anniversary of its Independence” will be held on Sept. 13 at 10 am at the National Library. It will be led by Dr. José Aurelio Sandí, from the National University School of History.
Banda de Conciertos de Heredia
On Friday, Sept. 13, at 7 a.m., in the Manuel María Gutiérrez de Heredia Park, the Heredia Concert Band will be presented at a civic event in tribute to the composer of the music of the National Anthem of Costa Rica, Manuel María Gutiérrez Flowers.
After this activity, a parade will be held with preschool students through the streets of downtown Heredia.
On Saturday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m., the torch will be received at Heredia Central Park and at 6 p.m., the Band will participate in the civic event in the same place. Throughout the country at this time, the National Anthem of Costa Rica will be sung.
Banda de Conciertos de Alajuela
The Alajuela Concert Band will be present in several activities to commemorate the Independence of Costa Rica.
On Sept. 14, it will receive the Torch of Freedom at 1:30 p.m., and at 6 p.m., it will perform a concert and singing of the National Anthem, both activities in Juan Santamaría Park.
On Sept. 15 the band will participate in the civic act of Independence at 7:30 a.m., in the Juan Santamaría Park. Finally, on Sept. 19, it will perform a concert at 7 p.m., in the Juan Rafael Mora Porras Auditorium, located in the Juan Santamaría Cultural Historical Museum.
Centro Cultural e Histórico José Figueres Ferrer
On Sept. 14, in all the schools and communities of the country it is traditional to hold a parade of lanterns in order to commemorate the moment in which it was announced that Central America was free and independent of the Spanish empire.
In order to honor this national celebration, the José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center will hold a lantern exhibition in coordination with the Exhibition Program Inside and Outside the University Campus of the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
The lanterns were designed by a group of women, students and teachers of the course of the School of Plastic Arts of the UCR.
Museo Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia
The Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Museum will celebrate Independence in Barrio Escalante with residents, merchants and visitors who wish to participate.
The titled activity; “Faroleada in Escalante,” will begin with a civic event open to the public, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, starting at 5:30 p.m., in the Museum, with music and typical dances, singing of the National Anthem and departure of the parade of lanterns.
Activities will continue in Parque Francia.
The detailed agenda:
- 5:30 p.m.: Civic Act at the Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Museum
- 6:00 p.m.: Singing the National Anthem of Costa Rica.
- 6:15 p.m.: March through the neighborhood to Parque Francia.
- 7:00 p.m.: Storytelling, games and music in the Parque Francia.
Centro de Cine de Costa Rica
Finally, the Cinema Center will be broadcasting the documentary “Senda Ignorada de Ingo Niehaus” on Costa Rican television channel 13, starting Sept. 15 at 11 a.m.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the exhibition entitled “Memories of Costa Rican Cinema 1910-1970” will be opened to the public. The activity will be open and free to the public, but you must register by emailing: jbermudez@centrodecine.go.cr or calling: 2542-5208.
Other activities:
- Heredia Public Library. “Faroleando: Elaboration of lanterns”. Sept. 10, 3-4:00 p.m. Free. Meant for children.
- Tres Ríos Public Library. “Parade of Lanterns”. September 13, 10:30 a.m. Free to the public.
- Cartago Concert Band: Costa Rica Independence Day Protocol. On Sept. 14, 4 p.m., at the Municipal Museum. At 6 p.m., the National Anthem will be played.
- San José Concert Band: Official Government Act, Independence Celebration of Costa Rica. On Sept. 15, 8 a.m., National Park.
