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HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 29

CULTURAL HERITAGE

ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT

The country’s geographic, cultural, economic and political vibrancy shines through in the coat of arms imagery.

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PROUDLY

Waved, Carried and Worn

by Sylvia Barreto Benites

There is nothing more symbolic of a

country’s heritage than its national flag. The flag represents a cultural identity that unites all the people and values it stands for. Costa Rica’s flag is an important element of civic events as well as cultural ones. It is the pride of athletes who wave it after winning international sporting events, and its colors are worn every four years by Tico soccer fans everywhere on earth during the World Cup.

The Costa Rican flag embodies the ideology of the people and the land that holds them. It also represents the establishment of a sovereign and peaceful nation.

Throughout the country’s history, Costa Rica has adopted eight flag designs reflecting different stages of independence. Initially, it was the Spanish flag and after independence, a Mexican flag. From 1823 to 1848, there were variations of a flag with two sky blue bands and a white band.

Doña Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, the wife of Costa Rica’s first president, designed the flag we know today. She was a great admirer of France’s liberal ideas,

revolutionary principles and inspiration for independent countries. Depicting the beauty of Costa Rica’s people and land, each color has its significance. Blue is for the skies of Costa Rica, white represents the reigning national peace and red stands for life — the spilling of blood for liberty and the Tico’s generosity of heart.

Symbolic imagery

As an important component of Costa Rica’s flag, the shield, or coat of arms, in the center has also changed over time, from stars and symbols to the current design with water, stars and land. The country’s geographic, cultural, economic and political vibrancy shines through in the coat of arms imagery. At its center are the three most important volcanoes in Costa Rica: Arenal, Poás and Irazú. In front and behind are two vessels portraying the commercial and cultural exchange with the rest of the world, while the blue ocean represents the Caribbean and Pacific ports. Silver stars above correspond to the seven provinces; San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia,

Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón. To the left, a rising sun on the horizon symbolizes modern Costa Rica’s free and prosperous republic. The green valley depicts the Central Valley as a hub of population and economic vitality. Lastly is the gold frame representing coffee production, since Costa Rica was the Latin American pioneer in establishing this industry.

Some distinct laws pertaining to the Costa Rican flag are interesting. It cannot be flown permanently outside a home, although houses can be adorned with flags, colors and coats of arms during civic festivities. The flag is not allowed to be used in advertising representing a product or political parties. It is flown outside all public buildings and outside the president’s house, and is allowed to be placed on licence plates and cars of particular public officials.

Both the flag and coat of arms are significant Costa Rican symbols. They reflect a common history and are a reminder of the importance of independence and sovereignty, something Ticos are very proud of.

HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 31

ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT

Our History From the Darkness

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF COSTA RICA

FEATURED MUSEUM

by Sylvia Barreto Benites

Diverse activities and exhibitions appeal to children and family members of all ages.

The idea of a national children’s museum was born in the heart of Gloria Bejarano Almada, first lady of Costa Rica during the administration of Calderón Fournier (1990-1994). Visiting the children’s museum in Venezuela inspired her to create a similar interactive educational space for children in Costa Rica. Upon returning from her trip she began proposing the project to different ministries and was told the country simply lacked the funds. She was about to give up when Orlando Morales, minister of science and technology, offered her a space to house the museum.

That space was the abandoned penitentiary, long considered the most feared facility in Costa Rica both during and after its nearly 70 years of operation. Having first opened its doors to prisoners in 1910, the building deteriorated over time, along with the lives of those detained there, as diverse social defense groups lobbied on behalf of inmates. After years of growing drug abuse and gang violence, conditions worsened instead and there was a growing outcry for a replacement rehabilitory system. In 1979, the penitentiary was finally closed for good.

When offered this venue for her brainchild pet project, the first lady couldn’t fathom how to turn so much tragedy and darkness into an exploration and learning place for children. The building was in ruins, with a collapsed roof, water damage and nature encroaching on its foundation. Disregarding the advice of naysayers to give up on the idea, she decided to visit the premises anyways, and saw some potential. After some months and with her husband’s backing, the penitentiary reconstruction project began taking shape. Uniting with Fundación Ayúdenos Para Ayudar (Help Us Help Foundation) was the next

step in raising funds to make the project a reality.

On April 27, 1994, with a backdrop of fireworks and the Costa Rican National Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, the Costa Rican Center for Science and Culture opened its doors. It was a fitting way to celebrate the transformation of a dark historical corner into a vibrant space for enlightenment and enrichment. The Children’s Museum of Costa Rica became the first learning center of its kind in Central America, opening its doors with 21 interactive exhibits. One of the most memorable was the Franklin Chan room, where Costa Rica’s first astronaut comes alive in animatronics. Visitors delight in seeing his space gear and food, and sitting inside a space capsule.

Today the museum occupies approximately 3,800 square meters, where diverse activities and exhibitions appeal to children and family members of all ages. The building houses the Costa Rican Center for Science and Culture, The National Gallery, The National Auditorium, CREA+, an area for young people, the Torren event center, the Penitentiary Museum and the National Natural Amphitheater. The 40 educational exhibits span a range of educationally rich topics like the universe, space technology, dinosaurs, the history of Costa Rica and ancient Egypt. There is even a supermarket, where children can learn how to shop and balance a budget.

This year, the Children’s Museum is celebrating 25 years of thrilling kids from all over the world. Special performances of children’s theater, as well as classical and heavy metal music concerts, are scheduled throughout May. For ticket information, visit boleteria.museocr.org or call 2258-4929.

Photos courtesy of Children's Museum of Costa Rica

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