COSI-Costa Rica Spanish Institute

Posts Tagged ‘culture’

Culture Night!

Posted by admin | Filed under COSI Activity

Come to COSI´s Culture Night and try some Costa Rican food and watch typical dancers. You can participate in the dances!

The festivities start at 6:00pm tomorrow night, Wednesday the 17th, here at COSI. Its free so come enjoy the food and the show!!

Time for Tamales!

Posted by admin | Filed under Actividades, COSI Activity, Holiday

Its December in Costa Rica and that means tamales are in season! These delicious treats are a big part of the Latin culture, especially around Christmastime.

Tamales are corn flour based, wrapped in a banana leaf, and stuffed with rice, veggies, and most typically pork, but can be substituted with any meat or even made vegetarian. In many families it is a tradition to make tamales on Christmas Eve.

Here at COSI we’ll be making our own tamales. Tomorrow, Thursday, at 1:15p staff and several mama Ticas will show students how tamales are made. It’s a great opportunity to get in the holiday spirit Tico style. Come hungry and ready to do some cookin’!

Culture Night!

Posted by admin | Filed under Actividades, COSI Activity

Come to COSI´s Culture Night and try some Costa Rican food and watch typical dancers. You can even participate in some of the dances! The theme is based on the Columbus day celebrations so come learn something you maybe didn´t know before too.

The festivities start at 6:30pm tomorrow night, Thursday the 15th, here at COSI. Its free so come enjoy the food and the show!

Limón Carnival

Posted by admin | Filed under Costa Rica Happenings, Holiday

The 2009 Columbus Day Carnival starts today in Limón and continues until October 18.

The city of Limón is the capital of the province of Limón on the Carribbean side of the country. It is where Columbus anchored on his last trip to the Americas.

Once a year, the port town gets festive. That time is during the carnival when the people come out to celebrate Columbus Day for one week. Everyone comes to drink, dance and celebrate to the sounds of Calypso, Reggae and Salsa music. Dancers on the streets wear colorful costumes. Typical carribbean style food and artwork will be on sale and out for display as well.

Typical dancers dance in the street to celebrate Columbus Day

"Comparsa" dances in the street during the Columbus Day Carnival.

At the start of the carnival the people crown a Carnival Queen for the duration of the celebration. October 10th is the “Día de las Culturas”, or Culture Day, and is highlighted by singing, dancing and calypso. The festival honors the Spanish, Indigenous, African, Italian and Chinese who live in the area. “Carnaval” attracts bands, “comparsas” and crowds from all over.

At least 5,000 visitors are expected this year. Its a great time to head to the Carribbean side of the country and participate in the festivities.