This month marks the beginning of my 17th year in Costa Rica. Normally I do not note my milestones, except to quietly marvel that I have reached yet another one.
Recently a friend and I visited the MAC. No, not that MAC. The Museo de Arte Costarricense. It is that and more. It is also a history of Costa Rica from the late 19th century to today. Browsing the museum, I experienced again the reasons I moved here.
MAC is celebrating its 30th year of its present location on the east end of Parque la Sabana in the neo-colonial building that once housed the people part of Costa Rica’s first international airport, which it was from 1940 until 1955 when it moved to its present location in Alajuela. The Sabana location remained a local airport until 1975. It was transformed into a museum in 1978, and the runways and remaining land became Sabana park. I call it the “eople’s ark.”
The current exhibition is divided into periods of presidential terms. Each room has a banner with the name of the then-president and his dates in office. I assume the paintings in each room were acquired or produced during that period. In all of the decades of presidents and art, I saw, aside from the conquistadors, only one weapon in one painting. Most of the works, both painting and sculptures are of people or groups of people or typical Costa Rican scenes.
Upstairs in the balcony are some terrific photographs showing the history of airport to museum, and finally, also on the second floor, the large diplomatic room. It is known as “the Gold Room.” It is empty except when local dignities are hosting visiting dignitaries. But the golden murals fill the room. There in bas-relief are the different stages of Costa Rican history from pre-Colombian times to 1940. The carved stucco is painted bronze.
A visit to the museum is well worth your time. For more information other activities of the museum you can call (506) 2222-7155 Ext. 103.
The visit got my friend and me talking about Costa Rica’s devotion to culture and the arts. Theater thrives. Most of the plays are in Spanish, but there is, and has been for over 50 years, the Little Theatre of Costa Rica that has at least four stage productions a year.
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There seems always to be music being performed somewhere, whether classical in the Teatro Nacional, tango at the Melico Salazar or in the churches of small communities far from San José. The cultural centers of the various countries with embassies here often have free musical entertainment.
And there’s jazz in the clubs everywhere or big band music — and of course, Latin, salsa, Caribbean and pop. All of it is within the reach of my pocketbook. Speaking of music. This past week in the United States the Democrats have been holding their convention to elect a president. I’ve been watching most of it. I had my breath taken away by Hillary’s speech, was charmed (and informed) by President Clinton’s words and delivery, touched by Biden, but what brought me to tears was two electric guitars and a harmonica and Melissa Etheridge’s rocking version of “God Bless America." Woven into it were “The Times they are Achanging, “Give Peace a Chance” and the rousing rock chant, “Born in the USA.”
The times they ARE a-changing. Women were given the vote in 1920 in the U.S. This year is the first time a woman was truly a contender as a candidate for president.
Women in Costa Rica didn’t get the vote until 1948. There have been no female presidents in Costa Rica, but there have been and are women vice presidents.
Black history in the U.S. has been as dismal politically and socially, but we have an African-American candidate for president this year. Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would feel comfortable talking to Costa Ricans about giving peace a chance.
Yes, August 2008 marks a number of milestones about which I have strong feelings and will probably remember and celebrate. Read more |