Costa Rica declares calypso music ‘national patrimony’

costadevelopers.com

The government officially recognizes the popular musical tradition as part of its cultural heritage.

Walter Ferguson has been singing and playing calypso music in Costa Rica’s Caribbean region for more than 70 years.

It’s as Caribbean as rice and beans and sunshine. Calypso music has been popular along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast since the late 1800s. More than a century later, the government of Costa Rica has declared the style of music “national patrimony.”

Executive decree No. 37418-C, published in the official government newspaper La Gaceta last week, gives special recognition to Calypso as part of Costa Rica’s cultural and historical identity.

Calypso was introduced into Costa Rica by Jamaican immigrants who settled along the Caribbean coast. The style of music combines simple, yet catchy, chord structures with lyrics that tell stories as diverse as a region’s history, a family’s financial woes or a no-good, drinking, cheating and gambling spouse. Calypso singers relate the joys of local cuisine, the beauty of the Caribbean and the struggles of the Afro-Caribbean people throughout history.

Calypso is said to have originated in the Caribbean archipelagic state of Trinidad and Tobago, and began as a form of communication between slaves from Africa. For more than a century, calypso singers have entertained throughout the Caribbean province of Limón, and even as far west as the capital, San José. 

Costa Rica’s most famous calypso musician, Walter Ferguson, who lives in the small southern Caribbean beach community of Cahuita, helped put Costa Rican calypso on the map, having performed in concerts in Europe and elsewhere.

Posted By Costa Developers

Festival Of Lights in San Jose Today.

costadevelopers.com

The Christmas Season Begins in Costa Rica

The Festival of Lights or as it is known as Festival de la Luz in San Jose is the kickoff to the Christmas season in Costa Rica. With over a million people attending on a yearly basis, the festival is a combination of lights, culture, music and costumes that is held on the second Saturday of December. The festival is a reminder of the significance of friends and family during the holiday season and hope for the new year.

The festival includes a parade complete with floats, street dancers and music which will make its way from Paseo Colon to El Parque de la Democracia. Each year there is also a grand marshall who is chosen to lead the parade. The choice of the grand marshall is a reflection of the contribution of one Costa Rican to the country. Past marshalls have included famous Ticos Claudia Paul, an Olympic Costa Rican swimmer and up and coming talent Maria Jose Castillo.

Costa Ricans will begin to stake out their spots along the parade route in the early afternoon to ensure they don’t miss any of the festivities. There will also be prizes for categories such as the best float and best performing band. The parade is truly spectacular and features elaborate floats that reflect Costa Rican culture and the holiday season.

Music bands are also a highlight of the parade. Bands from high schools and primary schools prepare for the parade a year in advance hoping to capture the coveted prize of being the best band in the parade. Costumes and music and performance are judged to determine the ultimate band. This is a competition that is taken seriously by its partipants. It is also a great way to experience the young talent Costa Rica has.

You don’t want to miss this event if you are in Costa Rica. The Festival de la Luz has received international attention with coverage on newscasts worldwide. It is truly an opportunity to see some of the best culture, music and costumes Costa Rica is known for. The evening will be capped off with a fireworks display and if you are on a Costa Rica vacation right now, drop everything and head to San Jose. You won’t be disappointed!

Posted By Costa Developers