By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff

Passersby, students, residents of the Caribbean province of Limón and San José Mayor Johnny Araya were among those who gathered in the capital’s Plaza de las Artes yesterday to celebrate Afro-Costa Rican Culture Day.

A performance of Caribbean dances like merengue and sol were part of the tribute to Costa Rica’s African roots, which are concentrated in Limón.

“This city ( San José ) is a home of diversity, and today we celebrate the solidarity of different groups,” Araya said. “We wouldn’t be who we are without the influence of Africans, Asians, Arabs, Europeans and all the other groups who have come to Costa Rica.”

The event also marked the beginning of the 8 th annual Festival of Flowers of the African Diaspora, which runs through Sept. 17 and will include cultural activities throughout the Central Valley, explained festival coordinator Carol Britton.

“The idea is to promote being inclusive of all groups in Costa Rica,” Britton said, remarking that “there is still prejudice here caused by a lack of knowledge and stigmas about certain groups, but that can change slowly as people become aware of those around them.”

The plaza came to life with performances by Son de la U – a dance group from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) in San Pedro, east of San José – and the visiting Grace Gospel Choir, from Washington D.C.

Anibal Wrey was among those in the crowd who danced and sang along to the music. Wrey, who grew up in the southern Caribbean beach town of Cahuita and recently moved to San José, said he attended the celebration because it’s important to remember Caribbean culture, which is distinct from the rest of Costa Rican culture.

“We have different food, music, dance and just general way of being,” Wrey explained.