August Marks the Start of Black Culture Month in Costa Rica.

The 10th Festival of the Black Culture will kick off today, with an interesting variety of typical activities, with music, food, art and more. The province of Limon, although the poorest of the country, has all it takes to be the richest; its culture is alive and kicking, rich and colorful, and getting stronger. From Calypso to the Reggae, together with a good rice and beans a good rum and coke in hand, watching the moon rise over the mysterious waters of the Caribbean Sea, this culture offers everything any tourist may dream of and expect when visiting a Caribbean Country.

The Black Cultural Festival will last the entire month, with its theme “Lets go back to the Roots”. On August 31st, the highlight of the festival will take place with the celebration of the Day of the Blacks and AfroCostarican Culture.

Most of the events take place in Limon, with the Costa Rican Calypso Festival, conferences about Caribbean Art, presentation of books and poetry, concerts and of course, Caribbean food! This is when enthusiasts have an opportunity to vote for Miss Black Beauty 2008, a well sought after designation that has become a traditional activity during the festival.

Added to the festivities this year will be a presentation by the X Festival of the Rescue of Cultural Values of Siquirres, with dances, music with the group Beachers from Panama, also featuring fashion shows, and the Festival Africultural Limon Roots 2008, which will take place in Limon and in Puntarenas, and a single presentation in the Melico Salazar theatre in San Jose.

This activity is hopefully going to promote the province of Limon, which is home to the best Costa Rica food, and most interesting, distinctive culture. The port of Limon in Moin is itself undergoing changes and modernization, and it plans to be ready for the cruising season that starts in a couple of months, bringing in thousands of tourists with each boat.

Limon’s reputation as a violent and dangerous destination has proven fatal to the economy of the province, and it is now working very hard in order to reestablish itself as an exciting destination that is not to be missed. It is hoped also that with more events of this type, creating more jobs and activities, crime will slowly but surely be eliminated from this beautiful province.

Costa Rica is without a doubt a Caribbean destination, and it must be proud to be so, and display all it has to offer to the world. Indeed these activities hope to attract the foreign tourists as well as the national ones, as its popularity amongst Costa Ricans is maybe even more damaged than abroad. Many Ticos have never visited this province, believing it to be dangerous and unsafe, unaware of the treasures it has to offer, without any knowledge of its culture, of the beauty of its beaches, the richness of its flora and fauna, and the spirit of its inhabitants.

Photo courtesy of La Republica newspaper.

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Filed under: Tico on August 1st, 2008