In Symbolic Opera Theater, Black Artists
Finally Take The Stage
By Andrés Cala
LIMÓN, COSTA RICA – It was only 60 years
ago, following Costa Rica’s only civil war
in the past century, that the government
repealed a law that in effect barred blacks
from moving freely within the country.
Lured mostly from Jamaica to the city of
Limón on the Atlantic coast to build the
railroad in the late 1800s, most Costa
Rican-born blacks didn’t even have full
citizenship or the right to vote until 1949.
Indeed, even after these rights were
recognized, latent racism has remained
perhaps the biggest stain on Costa Rica’s
democratic record.
But things are changing, albeit slowly.
For the third straight year, the Limón Roots
Festival, which recognizes black achievers.
was hosted in the Melico Salazar Theater.
The theater was built in the 1920s and is a
symbol of the white-dominated ruling elite.
It was taken over by the Ministry of Culture
in the 1980s after it was gutted by a fire.
Costa Rican blacks filled the grand and
formal theater and clapped to reggae,
Honduran-African rhythms, and soca, in sharp
contrast to the classical music and opera
that usually fill these halls.
Poet Eulalia Bernard, dressed in an
impeccable white gown and showing a
relentless smile, was this year’s honoree.
“This undoubtedly symbolizes the real
inclusion of Afro descendents in Costa
Rica,” she said, referring to the venue for
the award ceremony. “But a lot more work is
necessary from future generations. Both
sides have to give in and realize there is
no difference between us.”
The event was broadcast on the Internet and
national TV. And although no government
officials or national press were present
during the award ceremony, the Costa Rican
blacks who were present – from hairdressers
to lawyers – agreed it was a proud moment, a
step closer to mainstream recognition of
blacks’ contributions to Costa Rica.
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