Independence Day! - Photos

Today is Independence Day here in Costa Rica and throughout Central America. All of Central America celebrates the same day because they were considered one territory all together for Spain. In 1821, Central America gained it's independence from Spain but Costa Rica didn't actually get the news until late October of that same year. You see, the news was spread from the North to the South by a guy that ran with a torch proclaiming their liberty from Spain.

So every September 15th, the schools are in charge of putting on festivals and teaching the next generation the history of their independence. The communities gather at the local schools to go celebrate. Luckily, we live right behind a large church that also has a pretty good sized school with it.

Beautiful flowers on the walk over to the school around 5:30.

The students where all dressed up and really excited about the celebration.

Our friend who works at CINCEL, Rudy, with his niece.

The hostess of the evening passing out programs. Festivities started at 6 p.m. with the national anthem as it is always played at 6 on September 15th.

Dawn, my classmate and our neighbor, holding up a "farol," or lantern.

All the students performed dances according to their age groups.

Even some of the youngest ones danced. They were too cute!

As tradition holds, the torch was run in as it had been back in 1821. Now it's run from Cartago at 6 p.m. to all the different cities and is taken from one school to the next throughout the evening.

The older students have more complex dances.

It was so interesting to see the dances that are so deeply rooted in culture.

Then there is the tradition of the faroles, or lanterns. The little kids have a parade of lanterns and they are judged and winners are given prizes. The lanterns are traditionally made with the families, however nowadays you can buy them in the stores or on the street.

The parents walked with some of the smaller ones as there are lit candles inside each of the lanterns.

A local band made it's way over towards the end of the celebration and they were terrific!

Talented young men...

As the band played, the "masqueradas," or masks, came out. They are actually about 12 feet high and have large heads on the top of them. They spin and twirl and the arms fly about. The older kids LOVE this, but the younger ones are afraid of them because of their size and because traditionally they carry small twigs which they swat the kids legs with. There are also some children running around with masks on. The masks and masqueradas vary from presidents and policemen to devils.

We finally went home around 9 and they were still playing music and dancing around but we were STARVING. Hope you enjoyed some of the photos of what we experienced tonight!