|
| 
Published Monday, March 1, 2021
Restoration begins of 200-year-old
Act of Independence
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Signed at the then City Hall of Cartago on October 29, 1821, the Act of Independence, one of the patrimonial treasures of Costa Rica, underwent a restoration process for a year and a half.
As part of the commemoration of the 200 years of Independence of Costa Rica, the historic document is preserved in the National Archive located in Curridabat Canton, San José Province.
The process of restoring the Act of Independence was led by specialists from the National Archive in collaboration with specialists from the University of Costa Rica.
Due to its continuous manipulation for two centuries, the document was widely deteriorated, despite the rigorous care with which it was protected in recent decades.
According to Alexander Barquero, director of the National Archives, the priceless document was previously exhibited in various parts of the country and has deteriorated over the years. "Stains, oxidation and small cuts were some of the damages that the document presented," he said.
The historic Act of Independence was written in the city of Cartago at the time of colonization.
The hand-written document is divided into two pages proclaiming the absolute independence of Costa Rica from Spain.
Although similar documents were signed at that time in the municipalities of San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Nicoya, the one of Cartago became symbolic because that was the capital of the then province of Costa Rica.
According to the Ministry of Education, it was until September 1824 that the country began the process of Costa Rica becoming the Independent Republic with the creation of the Congress and the first presidential elections. Juan Mora Fernández, was elected as the first governor of the country, in two consecutive periods from 1825 to 1829 and from 1829 to 1833.
The original Act of Independence will continue to be protected away from exposure and manipulation. People will be able to see a reproduction exhibited in the National Archive of Costa Rica.
September 15 will mark 200 years since Guatemala City hosted a congress of criollos in 1821 enacting the Act of Independence of Central America.
Traditionally each year in honor of Independence Day, locals kick-off the eve of Independence Day with light parades (so-called faroles). Then on the historical day, there are school parades, dances, community festivals, fireworks in almost all communities and public events organized by the government and municipalities.
However, last year due to the pandemic, all mass public events were canceled.
-------------------
Which of the Independence Day activities in Costa Rica do you like best? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
|
