A dancer in the “Banda Municipal De San José” group twirls her skirt during the Independence Day parade in San José, Costa Rica. The parade was more than three hours long with traditional dances, marching bands, and more to celebrate Independence Day
Costa Rica’s flag waves in the wind on a fence post in Cartago, Costa Rica. Even though Costa Rica’s new capital city is San José, the heart of the festivities still occurs in Cartago, the historic capital, to honor that history.
My friends and I began our journey in Cartago by visiting the Cartago Municipal Museum, which is free to the public. The museum boasts an elaborate mural detailing the history of Costa Rica, including its pre-Columbian roots and the impact colonization—and later independence—had on the country.
It’s rained nearly every day I’ve been in Costa Rica, but it was especially strong this afternoon, soaking my hair and clothes within minutes despite my rain gear. With several hours remaining before the festivities began, I made my way to The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, a historic catholic church.
We escaped the gloomy weather outside, slipping into the church just in time to catch part of the Independence Day mass held in The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. I watched as the grand columns of sweeping Roman architecture gave way to a warm interior, where several hundred people filled the pews to observe mass.
The night of September 14th, before Independence Day, is known as "Desfile de Faroles" (a lantern parade). Children will make lanterns in school to parade them through the streets, symbolizing the light of freedom.
The rain didn’t relent for many hours, even as a herd of umbrellas took shape above the crowd. I was frozen to the bone but filled with anticipation, and an excited energy wended its way through the crowd. I turned to a woman next to me to ask what was all on our minds, ¿Dónde está la antorcha? And just then they arrived.
The torch run began in the 1960s and still takes place today. High school students will run all the way from Guatemala to Costa Rica, carrying a symbolic torch of independence and passing it from runner to runner. The Act of Independence of Central America was signed in Guatemala City, declaring independence from Spain, on September 15, 1821, but the news wouldn’t reach Costa Rica until two weeks later—their run symbolizes the fire of independence reaching Costa Rica.
A firefighter keeps a watchful eye over the flame, lit moments ago by the student runners. Now that the independence torch has arrived, the rest of the celebration can begin.
A father hoists his daughter up on his shoulders to watch the stunning fireworks display that erupts from the Cartago ruins. The night sky is lit up in shades of red and blue, Costa Rica’s colors of independence.
The crowd watches in awe at the fireworks display that erupts from the Cartago ruins. My friends are struck with awe too, and celebrate with the cheering crowd.