Masquerade Festival in Barva, Heredia
 

Over the last weekend in March Costa Rican’s and their visitors had a chance to celebrate the 5th annual masquerade festival in the colonial community of Barva, Heredia.

The festival honored the most famous Costa Rican mask artisans however it was the ingenious creativity of the masks made by local Barvinians that really stood out there. Those of us in attendance were able to see a variety of political and entertainment figures represented by the masks from current Costa Rican president Oscar Arias, to Costa Rican national soccer team’s coach Hernán Medford, to comedian Carlos Ramos, and even Michael Jackson. Some of the favorites of the festival — especially among the children in attendance — were the masks of the unforgettable characters Chapulín Colorado, Kiko, la Chilindrina, el Chavo del 8, doña Florinda, el Profesor Girafales, el Señor Barriga, la Bruja del 71 and don Ramón, from the very popular 1970’s Mexican comedy series, “Chespirito”. Other favorites were those which represented Costa Rican folklore characters like; el Diablo, la Giganta y el Gigante, la Cachetona, and la Bruja among others.

Every three hours a cimarrona would appear to liven the crowd. Elotes tiernos, churros, tamales, vigorón, algodones de azúcar, gallos de picadillo, and chorreadas were among some of the delicious local fare that was on sale at the event for those with an appetite.
April 2007

Written by: Marcelo Arroyo M.Ed.
Translation by: Susannah Kenley
 

Spanish Vocabulary From the Article:

cimarrona: typical at traditional Costa Rican celebrations from weekend parties to weddings, it includes a band of brass instruments and drums. Usaully the cimarrona is accompanied by masked dancers who represent characters from Costa Rican folklore.

elotes tiernos: whole boiled ears of corn seasoned with local spices

churros: sweet fried bread sticks covered with cinnamon and sugar

tamales: meat and vegetables cooked in a soft corn meal outside and the wrapped in plantain leaves, most often eaten close to Christmas

vigorón: originally from Nicaragua this is a meat dish served with fried cassava over a bed of green cabbage dressed with lemon

algodones de azúcar: cotton candy

gallos de picadillo: small servings of chopped vegetables and meat cooked with local seasoning and served on a warm corn tortilla

chorreadas: sweet grilled corn pancakes typically served with fresh cream on top
 
 



Iglesia Colonial, Barva.



Artesano construyendo las Máscaras



Elotes tiernos
  




Casa tradicional



Mas Máscaras




Vendedores de Títeres y Máscaras

  



Mascarada, serie Chespirito



Chorreadas




Baile tradicional de
Mascarada