Holiday season
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Transcript of Holiday season
Celebrating Dia de San Jose in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is officially a Roman Catholic country and many festivals and culture
events celebrate the religious events of the Catholic faith. The majority of the
population (approximately 69%) is Roman Catholic.
March 19th is considered a national holiday celebrating the feast of St. Joseph,
or Día De San Jose (St.
Joseph’s Day). Considered
a national holiday in Costa
Rica, many towns who have
Joseph in their names
celebrate their namesakes
day. Specifically in San
Jose, the capital city of
Costa Rica, St. Joseph day
is celebrated with parades,
dancing and of course great
food. Towns which carry the
name of Joseph in their
names will also host fairs
and have special masses to
recognize their patron saint.
Costa Ricans take to the
streets often dressed in
traditional colorful garments
of white, red and blue.
Parades include music and
dancing in the streets.
The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of San José with a procession in the vicinity of the Catedral Metropolitana. Municipal Police officers carry the statue of the saint.
Easter Tradition in Costa Rica
For Ticos in Costa Rica, Semana Santa or Holy Week is
considered to be the most important religious celebration.
Beginning with Palm Sunday, most Costa Ricans will take
vacation from work, banks and government offices will be
closed and most non-tourist business will definitely be closed
on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
For those not taking
vacation, many will work
until Wednesday. For
those lucky to work in
public positions, they will
have the week off to
prepare for Holy week and
Easter celebrations. This
year there is a change
however with the dry law which prohibits the sale of alcohol
from midnight Wednesday to midnight Saturday. This year
each municipality is able to decide for itself as to whether they
will implement the law or not.
During Semana Santa government offices, including the
Casa Presidencial and all ministries will be closed for the
entire week. Banks will close on Thursday and Friday so if you
This is a great time to see some of the rich culture of
the area as each province and town holds dramatic
religious processions and services recreating the last
days of Jesus’ life.
need some cash, get it before the banks close for the long
weekend.
Costa Rica’s Passion of Christ Re-Enactment
And speaking of traditions, there
are two important processions which
involve the re-enaction of the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Tres Rios
in Cartago. With live human
participation, the event is something
that cannot be missed if you happen
to be in Costa Rica at this time. The procession includes
Roman-like actors who beat Jesus during his journey. The
dramatization is as much of a statement of what occurred
brought to life in real times. Many line the streets to participate
in the re-enactment. Another such event is held in San
Joaquin de Flores in Heredia and is televised for those who
don’t want to come out to see the procession.
Juan Santamaría Day
Juan Santamaría Day, held every year in April,
commemorates the Costa Rican victory in the Battle
of Rivas in 1856 against the U.S. citizen William
Walker and his mercenary army.
After overthrowing the government of Nicaragua,
Walker began setting his sights on other Central
American countries in hopes of developing a slave-
trade empire. The Costa Rican government called
on its citizens to head to Nicaragua to fight the
growing threat.
Juan Santamaría, a poor drummer boy – now a legend – set fire to a hostel
where a number of Walker’s soldiers were staying. The fire led to a heavy loss in
troops for Walker’s army, but also killed
Santamaría in the process. This act of
heroism, which confirmed Costa Rica’s
sovereignty, will be remembered with
parades, civic programs and fireworks
throughout the country on Thursday. Most
businesses and government offices will be
closed for the holiday, and parades may block some of the main streets in towns
and cities throughout the country.
The country’s primary international airport
in Alajuela, northwest of San José, is named
after the hero.
Julie and Rick in Costa Rica
Our decision to move to Costa Rica –what we worried about,
how we decided to do it, and how we are going to do it
Thursday, December 13, 2007
May 01, 2007 - Labor Day, Costa Rica
Today is Labor Day in Costa
Rica, and in much of the rest
of the world as well. So
strange that it is not celebrated
today in the USA, since the
event that marks it *happened*
in the USA. At any rate, it is a
big day off for folks here. The
local swimming pool is the busiest I have seen yet - cars are parked
even on the side street a block away.
On Saturday afternoon, we were surprised to hear the local
cannon/fireworks go off several times, accompanied by a parade of
*huge* trucks around town. They drove and honked for almost an hour.
They passed our corner, and we walked to the main street to see how
far it extended - at least 4 blocks down and back, bumper-to-bumper
trucks. There were rock haulers, cement trucks, semis (yes! in Costa
Rica!), and bulldozers. We decided they were celebrating Labor Day
early. Later, we asked someone about it, and he suggested that it was
the owner of the stone quarry showing off - he and the owner of a
similar concern seem to be embroiled in a pissing contest. Either way,
it was pretty interesting, and attracted quite a crowd.
We had planned to have our homestay "parents" over for cafecito
this afternoon, but they called to say they couldn't make it. We have
been thinking about how to reciprocate some of the visits we have had
with others - usually over a meal of some kind. Our kitchen is *very*
limited, with just enough plates, silverware, and coffee cups for us, and
no good way to cook rice and beans (you *have* to have rice and
beans if you invite someone for a meal). Finally, we decided to buy a
couple more coffee mugs, purchase a selection of pastries, and have
cafecito at the table outside. We'll see how that works.
Electricity and water report for Monday - Water was off in the
morning till 8, and electricity went off at 9 (time enough to get a
shower). Electricity back on at 11, back off from 3 - 5.
Weather: got a good downpour on Saturday; Sunday was beautiful -
sunny and cool; clear most of Monday, with a few sprinkles in the late
afternoon.
The Annexation of Guanacaste
The Annexation of Guanacaste Day, celebrated on July 25th,
commemorates the annexation of the province of Guanacaste to Costa
Rica, which occurred in 1824 - prior to this year, Guanacaste was part
of Nicaragua. Due to the fact that Nicaragua was active in many civil
wars at the time, Guanacaste’s inhabitants requested to be annexed to
Costa Rica. The Central American Federation approved the
annexation; hence Guanacaste became a part of Costa Rica.
The ‘Guanacastecos’ have always been well identified with Costa
Rica and take pride in being a part of this country. Proof of this is their
famous slogan ‘de la patria por nuestra voluntad’, which means ‘part of
this country by our own choice’. This annexation by choice celebrates
Costa Rica’s core values of democracy.
The Guanacaste Day is
celebrated with a nationwide
public holiday and bustling
celebratory activities and
events, especially in the
province of Guanacaste. On
public holidays, all banks,
government offices, post
offices and other commercial
centers close, thus
evidencing the great
importance of the
Guanacaste Day.
The Celebration
The celebration of Guanacaste’s annexation is comprised by
parades, folk dances, typical music, cattle shows and more. The
parades involve children marching to the park at the center of town,
while wearing masks and dressing up as a variety of personages.
Bullfights are also typical of the Guanacaste Day celebration.
However, bullfights in Costa Rica are very different than those in
Spain. Tico style of bullfighting does not involve killing the animal; it’s
all about young unarmed men teasing a bull or cow around a ring for a
few minutes.
Guanacaste’s streets fill out
with handicrafts and typical
Costa Rican food like tamales
and grilled meat with tortillas.
Concerts, fireworks and folk
dances are also part of the
celebration. The most popular
typical dances that occur
during this celebration include
the popular ‘Caballito
Nicoyano’ and the ‘Punto
Guanacasteco’. Also involved in the celebration of the annexation of
Guanacaste is the music of Costa Rica’s national instrument, the
marimba.
Feast of the Virgin of Los Angeles On August 2, Costa Rica celebrates a National Holiday. Most regard
it as the third most important religious holiday in Costa Rica after
Christmas and Easter. It is the Feast of the Virgin of Los Angeles
(Virgen de Los Angeles) Day, the patron saint of Costa Rica. The saint
is also called La Negrita.
According to the story, on August 2nd 1635, a young mulatto girl,
whose name was Juana Pereira, found a small statue on a rock and
took it home, the next
morning she found the
statue was back at the
rock, so she took it to
the priest who locked
the statue in a small
box. The next morning
the statue was back on
the rock. Originally the
basilica was going to be built in an alternative location, but due to
earthquakes and other problems, it was decided to move the location
of the church to the location of the rock, as they believed that was
where the Lady of Los Angeles wanted it built. Because the stone is
dark in color, the statue is sometimes referred to as La Negrita. It is
also called Reina de Cartago or Queen of Cartago. The original statue
is located in the basilica in a golden shell.
Annually, as many as two million pilgrims
visit the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los
Ángeles(Our Lady of the Angels Basilica),
on the feast day of the Virgin of the Angels, August 2. This Basilica is
located in Cartago. Many walk the 10 miles from San José and many
crawl on their hands and knees as a sign of their devotion during the
annual Romería, which translates to religious pilgrimage.
The basilica was built in 1639 and was partially destroyed by an
earthquake. The restored basilica offers an interesting and impressive
mix of colonial architecture as well as 19th century Byzantine style and
is consecrated to the Virgin of Señora de los Ángeles. This is a small
statue of the Virgin Mary carrying the infant Jesus
An official decree declared the Virgin of the Angels the official patron
of Costa Rica. The pilgrims that come drink the water and wash
themselves with water from the rock on which the statue was found.
Additionally people bring small silver medals shaped like body parts,
which are the ones the pilgrim is concerned about. They leave them in
front of La Negrita in hopes that they will be cured.
There is also a museum on the grounds displaying names of
individuals who were killed in disasters or wars.
Mother’s Day
August 15th marked an important holiday for Ticos: Dia de la
Madre or Mother’s Day, based on the Catholic holiday
celebrating the Assumption of Mary. Matriarchs run the
household in
traditional families,
but on this day many
are treated to a
special meal and
gifts from their
children and
husbands.
In Costa Rica, Mother’s Day is a big deal, for it is a national
holiday as government offices, banks, schools and most
businesses close for the day, for about the only commercial
activity is retail stores and malls open to cash in on the gift
buying and restaurants.
Independence Day
Like the rest of Central America, Costa Rica never fought for independence from
Spain. On September 15th, 1821, after the final Spanish defeat in the Mexican War of
Independence, the authorities in Guatemala declared the independence of all of
Central America.
Independence Day in Costa Rica is celebrated with much fun and merriment. The
national holiday is marked by the hoisting of the national flag, patriotic parades and
performances by students in the community.
The fun begins when various schools from communities around the country make
colorful homemade lanterns, which are lit by candles. The lanterns are lit at 6pm, and
Costa Ricans join their voices to sing the National Anthem. The students then walk
through the streets, carrying their lanterns, often accompanied by drums and singing.
This tradition comes from the night of September 14th, 1821, when delegates from
Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador met in the Guatemalan Plaza with the purpose
of joining their voices and saying out loud in unison, “Long live liberty”, just a few hours
before the declaration of independence was given in that country. The entire town
gathered in the City Hall, lighting the place with lamps and lanterns.
The decorations with lanterns remained for many years in Central American countries
and in Costa Rica, despite the fact that Costa Ricans had no knowledge of the
declaration of independence until one month later, when the Independence Torch
arrived.
The celebration continues the day after, when the streets are filled with parades, boys
and girls dancing in traditional clothing, drums, singing, and honor roll students
carrying Costa Rican flags. It is a very family oriented event, devoid of any military
overtones, as Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949.
What are some special celebrations that you remember in your family and/or
community during these holidays?
March 19th
March 19th
April 11th
May 1st
July 25th
August 2nd
August 15th
September 15th