Culture in Costa Rica
Known as the "Switzerland of the Americas,"
Costa Rica has a strong democratic tradition
and a long history of dispute resolution.
Owing in part to their impressive
95 percent
literacy rate and national education
system,
Costa Ricans are a self-assured
and hospitable
people. The most stable democracy
in Central
America, Costa Rica's voting
system ensures
honest, secure elections. The
indigenous
people gained their right to
vote in 1994.
Peace-Loving People Help Stabilize
Region
For the past 100 years, the country
has known
only two very short military
regimes. Following
a civil war in 1948, in two of
the most innovative
moves in recent history, Costa
Rican president
Pepe Figueres constitutionally
abolished
the army, and limited presidents
to serve
one term only. Nine presidential
campaigns
since 1949 has produced victories
for the
opposition candidate seven times
-- all with
an 80 percent voter participation
rate! In
a region plagued by civil wars,
human rights
abuses, and until recently dictatorships,
Costa Rica stands out as an exception.
Since
1949, when the army was abolished,
the country
has had a fairly stable democracy.
The new
Constitution of 1949 included
a progressive
labor code, upheld a system of
social security,
and contained a set of social
guarantees(
such as a minimum wage), that
gave the average
citizen rights that were ahead
of their time.
In many ways this diminished
the disparity
between the upper and lower classes
and thus
was conducive to cooperation
and the resolution
of conflicts in a democratic
forum. The government,
albeit plagued by problems over
the decades,
has shown a commitment to broad
social welfare.
This commitment coupled with
a strong support
of public education and public
health has
helped create a mature populace
that has
learned how to solve problems
without resorting
to armed conflict.
Education is Key to Nation's
Strength
In 1869, the country became one
of the first
in the world to make education
both free
and obligatory, funded by the
state's share
of the great coffee wealth. By
1920, fully
half of the population was literate,
and
by 1970, 89 percent were able
to read and
write.
Education up to the sixth grade is obligatory, and the network of public schools is dispersed
into the far corners of the land. The country
is now home to a handful of well regarded
universities, such as the National University
and the University of Costa Rica. Fully 27
percent of the national budget is spent on
education and culture, supporting four public
universities, three symphonic orchestras,
five autonomous state publishing houses and
a growth rate in education of 10 percent
yearly.
Religious Celebrations Unite
Families
Easter is the premier holiday,
and Semana
Santa (Holy Week) is a time when
most all
express their faith, bringing
the nation
to a standstill. Spanish-style
street processions
take place every day of the week
before Easter,
to dramatize all stages of Christ's
way to
the cross, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Small villages have their own
way of celebrating,
and they add to the occasion
the blessing
of oxcarts, horses and trucks.
Families everywhere
prepare "dulce de chiverre"
(sweet
preserves), "arroz con leche"
(sweet
rice), "tamal mudo,"
eggnog, quesadillas,
"rosquillas" and "polvorones,"
and special dishes with seafood.
During the Christmas celebration and some days previous to New Years, a similar
phenomenon -- the national "fiesas patronales,"
is celebrated. Families gather to display
nativity scenes at their homes and to celebrate
the "posadas," a custom where children,
playing sheperds, go house to house and sing
Christmas carols, re-enacting the journey
of Mary and Joseph. The "Rosario del
Niņo" is a rosary the families pray
to conclude the Christmas celebration. Musicians
perform traditional carols while the party-goers
feast on traditional meals. One of the most
typical foods is tamales, but families also
serve "hecho de masa de maiz y rellenos
de arroz," and "carne de cerdo
y vegetales."
Another religious celebration
is the pilgrimage
to the Basilica de los Angeles
in Cartago
city, in honor of the Virgin
of the Angels.
During this holiday many people
walk to the
city from all parts of the country,
in order
to pay a "promise"
to the Virgin
(when she answered a prayer)
or to renew
their faith. Some believers travel
for days
or even weeks in order to reach
their destination
and to honor the Virgin. Even
though some
Costa Ricans decide to party
during religious
celebrations, they still prefer
the company
of their family.
Independence Day is the most significant non-religious holiday
inCosta Rica. Every town has
its own formal
official celebration including
parades of
young children, music bands and
majorettes.
People carry the national flags
and wear
with the national colors red,
blue and white.
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