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International Calypso Festival this weekend By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Cahuita, Limon is the cradle of Costa Rican Calypso music. This weekend concerts, dances, and authentic regional foods will be celebrated in Cahuita downtown*, as part of the Walter Ferguson International Calypso Festival. "Rumba en Cahuita", "Monilia", "Cabin in the Wata" are among the many works written by maestro Walter Ferguson, know as the King of Calypso. The myth of Walter Ferguson increased over the years; however, his musical work was not recorded professionally until, in 1982, the U.S. musician Michael Williams recorded and produced the acetate "Mr. Gavitt: Calypso of Costa Rica: Cocoa Plantation Calypso songs sung in English," an album that was not promoted in Costa Rica. The documentary "Mister Gavitt: The father of Calypso" about the king of the calypso that can be seen in the following link on YouTube*. The festival is an activity carried out by the Cahuita Integral Development Association with support from the Ministry of Culture. During this weekend there will be musical presentations by various groups, parades, handicrafts, and traditional foods from the region. All activities are free and open to the public in Cahuita downtown. Calypso is a sample of the cultural identity of the country. In September 2018, the Legislative Assembly declared the Calypso as an intangible cultural heritage of the country. Also, the International Festival of Calypso was declared of public interest and cultural relevance. "Calypso is a song of identity, struggle, and resistance of a people that have transmitted and bequeathed their African, Caribbean, and Costa Rican culture, through the centuries," said Soledad Hernández, Historian of the Heritage Center. "Calypso represents part of the identity of elements that are not only from Limón and the Caribbean of Costa Rica, the elements that enrich the culture and shape our identity and bring us all together as Costa Ricans." The Costa Rican Calypso presents specific characteristics in musical interpretation, in the construction of its lyrics, in its themes and contents, and in its vocal and instrumental performance, which is considered Costa Rican musical expression. It emerged from historical processes and unique cultural events that occurred in the province of Limón said the Ministry of Culture in its statement. Among the main activities this weekend are: On Friday it will begin with the parade of schools at 10:45 a.m. The concerts will start at 1 p.m. On Saturday, there will be a parade of cultural groups at 2 p.m. and then continue with the festival starting at 4 p.m. More information about this month's activities can found at the Ministry of Culture's office at 2221 2154 or on the Ministry of Culture's Facebook page here.* ----------------------- Have you ever been to the Calypso festival in Cahuita? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com |
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