-Friday, December 20, 2019-
The Route of the Child tradition
in Liberia
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
On Christmas Eve, at 7 p.m a tradition more than 100 years old will take place for the citizens of Liberia in Guanacaste Province. This is the parade known as Paso del Niño, the Route of the Child in English where an antique image of the baby Jesus is carried in procession through the city.
According to the Municipality of Liberia, the procession Tuesday will take place from the La Agonía church to the Cathedral of Liberia, and the Guanacaste Concert Band will guide the Baby Jesus and the faithful pilgrims along the route playing traditional Christmas music, known as villancicos.
The villancicos are folk traditional Christmas carols from Spain that were written in the late 15th to 18th centuries, according to the Royal Spanish Academy.
In Liberia, the tradition calls for children to walk next to the Baby Jesus playing whistles and tambourines with the goal of make a happy journey to the infants, said the municipality in its statement.
When the image arrives at the cathedral, a Mass will be held in celebration of Christmas Eve.
"It is very important for us to participate in the Paso del Niño since we have been doing it for 100 years continuously," said Ronald Estrada, director of the Guanacaste Band. "It is important to participate in this activity because we commit to keeping this tradition alive."
This cultural activity is free and open for all.
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What tradition of your country during Christmas Eve do you also celebrate in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com.
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