Christmas in Costa Rica has been the subject of countless chronicles of journalists and travelers throughout the years, highlighting both religious and culinary traditions as the beautiful cribs that were realized in all houses, many made with great realism.
These publications leave recording of celebrations that were made with great display since the early twentieth century.
In a report published on March 4, 1928 in the New York Times, it was then pointed out that the best holiday season for Costa Rica occurred between December 28 and the beginning of January.
According to the journalist, the festivities began with a cannon shot in the Morazán Park and a bullfight as a special performance.
This article described the holidays that year as the most important social activity in Costa Rica, where the capital inhabitants wore their best clothes: “It is said that no woman who respects herself will use the same dress twice during the holidays and many save cents during the year to buy the outfit they will wear her charms at the holidays. ”
In addition, it was organized a pageant contest that culminated “when the large bronze door of the National Theater opens to the coronation of the queens. Two Queens are elected; One is Her Majesty Queen of the Workers or the working classes, and the second is the Queen of the society […]. The queens are elected with votes that can be purchased at any grocery store or canteen “.
The popular fiestas of San Jose, with its bullfights were held for many years in Parque España, then they moved to Plaza Víquez in mid-twentieth century and later to the fairgrounds in Zapote. (Watch video above)
Holiday traditions gave way to the influence of the North and incorporating idealized and beyond our tropical Christmas elements, while newspapers perceive a significant change. An article in the New York Times of December 23, 1969 realized the irony of that change. With the suggestive title “The Latin American December: Snow songs under banana plants.”
Source: nacion.com
