OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

Costa Rica’s National Theatre has announced that it will reach out to the people by taking selected plays as well as videos on tour throughout the country.

This will be the first time that the National Theatre will reach out to those who for several reasons cannot go to downtown San Jose and enjoy a play or just visit the theatre.  The Minister of Cult, Maria Elena Carballo, has announced that the idea behind this activity is to allow Costa Ricans to feel that they “own” the theatre.

Maria Elena said that if the people come to understand that the National Theatre belongs to them, then everyone will feel compelled to take care of the theatre and embrace it along with its history.

The tour will include the play “The Rose with Two Aromas” as well as “Trapped in a Leap Year February’ and will be presented at the Municipal Theatre in Alajuela, the Cultural House in Heredia, the Cultural Center in Paraiso de Cartago, de Cultural House in Puntarenas and Guanacaste.

The tour will also offer the people a DVD in which the history of the National Theatre is told.  The DVD also includes an interactive section which guides the user through the Theatre as well as a 5 minute presentation from the Danza Universitaria dance group.

Other activities will also include a video presentation in which over 30 Costa Rican artists express their view and opinions of the National Theatre.

The DVD and material will be available to the public starting next week and will cost $30.

written by fernando \\ tags: Costa Rica’s National Theatre, Cultural Center in Paraiso de Cartago, Cultural House in Heredia, Cultural House in Puntarenas Guanacaste, Maria Elena Carballo, Municipal Theatre in Alajuela, The Rose with Two Aromas, Trapped in a Leap Year February

Since 1997, the Ministry of Cults division of Patrimonial Research and Investigation has held an annual contest dubbed Save Our Architectural Patrimony.

The contest, which is entering into its 12th year, seeks to preserve architectural patrimony by actively involving the regional communities. The contest calls for owners and community members alike to propose a building for participating in the contest.

The owner or owners of historic structure chosen as the winner will receive roughly $200,000 to be used for its restoration.

This years deadline is set for 3:00pm on Friday July 18th. In order for a building to be entered into the contest, a complete restoration proposal must also be attached. The report must include details on its restoration as long as it maintains its original structure. The person or organization in charge of entering a building into the contest, will also win around $20,000 if their building is chosen as the winner.

Over the past years winners have included houses and public buildings from all over Costa Rica. From the structures that have previously won the contest, the ones that stand out the most are the Black Star Line and the Missionary House in the province of Limon.

The Black Star Line is the center of Limon cultural activities and home to the most visited Caribbean Restaurant in the region. The Missionary House is currently the offices for the First Baptist Church and is also famous for being the first two story house built in Limon.

Other winners from previous years also include La Merced Catholic Church in downtown San Jose, Fait House in Puntarenas, Liberia Town House in Guanacaste and the famous Mazorca Restaurant in San Pedro among others.

Organizers are waiting on all final entries by tomorrow and the 2008 winner will be announced on August 14th.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Costa Rica Contamination, Costa Rican Institute of Drainage and Aqueducts, Costa Rica’s National Theatre, Jaco Beach, Maria Elena Carballo, Palo Verde Biological Station, Puerto Jimenez fishermen, World Surf Championship 2009