The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – This week started the Fiestas de San José, known as “Fiestas de Zapote” and it’s no wonder why the expectations are high for this event, with 85% of Costa Ricans visiting one of the festivities or holidays this year.
This information comes from the National Human Development Report “Learning to Live” 2013, from the United Nations Program for Development (UNDP).
Why the boom? According to sociologist Lennin Mondol, these parties serve as an escape for those who have to work all year.
The Zapote parties generates a lot of buzz throughtout the year, according to Rodolfo Fonseca, president of Celebration Commission of San Jose.
But the nature of these celebrations has changed over the years and went from being popular festivities aimed at the working class, to an event where regardless of social class, all attending are expected to spend money and consume.
In the country, the tradition of attending the popular cultural events is found everywhere. San José has its other popular festivities, Palmares, which start in January, and Puntarenas and Limón have their annual carnivals, festivals and other celebrations such as the Virgen del Mar in Puntarenas and Guanacaste Santa Cruz parties that are also in January.
Other communities also organize smaller parties that include rides, food like pupusas and churros, and in many instances, bullfights.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
