15/09/2024
🎉🎊🎉 Today, we celebrate Independence Day! Not just for Costa Rica, but for all of Central America, marking its independence from Spain in 1821.
Today is the culmination of a weekend of celebrations. This morning, everyone takes to the streets to celebrate Independence Day. School children dress in traditional costumes, march in marching bands, and twirl batons. Some groups dress up as exotic Costa Rican animals and carry signs sporting Costa Rican ecological ideals. Dancers wearing traditional costumes show off the traditional folk dances of Costa Rica.
On Friday night, the Antorcha de la Independencia (Independence Torch) made its way through Playas del Coco.
Since 1964, the torch travels from Guatemala through Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, culminating in Costa Rica. It takes 15 days for the torch to travel 1300 kilometers, retracing the historic path taken to carry the news of Central America’s independence from Spain over two centuries ago.
Last night, the streets lit up with the Lantern Parade. Each year, on the eve of the Independence Day celebrations, kids and their families take to the streets with store-bought or homemade lanterns, lighting up the night in a warm glow of national pride. The faroles are a reflection of Costa Ricans’ enduring spirit of unity, their respect for history, and their unabated love for their country. ❤️🇨🇷
