This coming August 20, Costa Rica will pay tribute to its artists with a grand cultural celebration that will extend throughout the entire country. National Artist Day will be a day to celebrate Costa Rican talent, creativity, and the essential role that the arts play in our identity, social cohesion, and development.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ) and its affiliated bodies, the program includes more than 100 free activities: concerts, workshops, talks, exhibitions, cinema, dance, and theater, in both public spaces and cultural venues, from Puntarenas to Limón, and from Guanacaste to the Southern Zone.

“We invite all citizens to join this great celebration of national art. On August 20, our streets, theaters, libraries, and cultural centers will be filled with music, dance, poetry, and creativity. This Ministry is the home of all artists: a refuge where every note finds an echo, every brushstroke finds its canvas, and every word takes flight. Here, art is not only celebrated, it is embraced… because it is the voice that sings and cares for the soul of Costa Rica,” expressed Jorge Rodríguez Vives, Minister of Culture and Youth.

Art in the Heart of San José

Central Avenue will be transformed into an open-air stage with performances of urban dance, interactive theater, live drawing, and literature on wheels with the Bibliobús (Bookmobile). The National Center of Culture (CENAC) will buzz with the music of the National Bands, a meeting with the Magón Award winners, and a grand dance concert to close out the afternoon. At night, the Melico Salazar Popular Theater will offer a special show featuring the Intermediate Symphony Orchestra of the National Music Institute and national artists such as La Kuarta, Tapón, Los Golobio, and Xiomara.

A Celebration That Reaches Every Corner

In the days leading up to the celebration, various communities will host concerts by the National Bands, film screenings, exhibitions, and activities in public libraries and Civic Centers for Peace. The events will include spaces for emerging artists, entrepreneurship fairs, workshops for all ages, and encounters with major figures of Costa Rican culture.

Here is the schedule for National Artist Day:

Schedule | National Artist Day

• National Artist Day Celebration at the Pococí House of Culture. August 17, starting at 1 p.m.: Open mic for emerging artists, local and national artistic performances, a local entrepreneurship fair, traditional food sales, and a movie screening.
• Screening of the documentary “César Valverde: Stroke and Word.” August 20, 2 p.m., Film Center. Open to all; limited capacity.
• Artistic Encounter with the Magón Award Winners: A recital of poetry and narrative, music, and painting. August 20, 3 p.m., Sala Magón Gallery.
• Concert with the National Band of Cartago. August 20, noon, Fidel Gamboa Amphitheater, National Center of Culture (Cenac). Open to all.
• Exhibition and discussion: “Other Possible Worlds”; as well as a nostalgic concert with local artists. August 20, 5:30 p.m., Alfredo González Flores House Monument, Heredia. Open to all.
• Dance Concert with Sarita Barboza, Bryan Vega, Mario Lizano, and Jecsinior. August 20, 4 p.m., Fidel Gamboa Amphitheater, National Center of Culture (Cenac). Open to all.
• Talk for individuals linked to the artistic, cultural, and artisan sectors. August 20, 6 p.m., Cartago Cultural Center. Target audience: general public. Organized by the Sociocultural Management Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, through the Cartago Cultural Center, and the Tourism Area of the Municipality of Cartago.
• Concert with the Intermediate Symphony Orchestra of the National Music Institute, La Kuarta, Tapón, Los Golobio, and Xiomara. August 20, 7 p.m., Melico Salazar Popular Theater. Open to all until capacity is reached.
• Performance by the La Salle College Concert Band. August 20, 1:30 p.m., Fidel Gamboa Amphitheater, National Center of Culture (Cenac).
• National Artist Day Celebration on Central Avenue

• Bibliobús (Bookmobile) of the National Library System, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., south side of the Heritage Building.
• Theater Takes the Boulevard. Students from the National Theater Workshop and actors from the National Theater Company will portray characters interacting with the public, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Avenue boulevard.
• Urban Dance with Falcon Squad from ULACIT, 12 noon, Central Avenue, near the Central Bank.
• Performance by the National Dance Company, 2 p.m., near the boulevard fountain, Central Avenue.
• Dance/Theater with Andy Gamboa, 1 p.m., near the boulevard fountain, Central Avenue.
• Urban Sketch -live urban drawing-, with the Casa del Artista School, 2 p.m., with professor Juan Carlos Herrera, in front of the Central Market.
• Contemporary Dance with UNA Danza Joven, 2 p.m., near the Central Bank, Central Avenue.
• Dance/Contemporary Circus with Punto Muerto, 3 p.m., near the boulevard fountain, Central Avenue.
• Educational Concert by the National Band of Limón. August 20, 10 a.m., Christian School of Limón, Limón. Open to the public
• Exposición de arte de escultura y cerámica. Del 18 al 22, Centro Cívico por la Paz Santa Cruz, en el horario del CCP.
• Taller de literatura y artes. El 18, 3 p.m., Centro Cívico por la Paz Heredia. Organiza es Sistema Nacional de Bibliotecas y la Dirección de Gestión Sociocultural.
• Talleres para jóvenes con diferentes artistas del área, con diferentes expresiones: Teatro, Artes Plásticas, Música, Danza. El 20, 2 p.m., Centro Cívico por la Paz de Pococí. Todo público.
• Muestra digital de pinturas del grupo de Acrílico. El 20, 12 mediodía, Centro Cívico por la Paz Santa Cruz. Todo público.
• Presentación de dos obras de teatro Infantil: “La Tarea de Juanito” y “Pedro y el Lobo”. El 20, 5:30 p.m., Centro Cívico por la Paz Santa Cruz. Actividad para madres de personas usuarias. 
• Charlas por el Día del Artista Nacional. Del 20 al 22, 5 p.m., Centro Cívico por la Paz Desamparados. El 20, charla sobre teatro inclusivo y experiencia sensorial para los asistentes; el 21, visita de la Compañía Estatal Danza Universitaria de la Universidad de Costa Rica (para estudiantes del CCPD); el 22, Peña Cultural a cargo de estudiantes del foro de juventudes del CCPD.
• Festival Somos Cultura por el Día del Artista Nacional. Actividades recreativas, presentaciones artísticas de grupos locales, grupos infantiles, banda comunal, camerata del SINEM Aguas Zarcas y Grupo de Danza del Taller Nacional de Danza del Centro Cívico por la Paz de Aguas Zarcas. Cierre con tarde de cine comunitario. El 30, 8 a.m. a 5 p.m., en la Comunidad de Castelmare, Cutris, San Carlos. Todo público.
• Concert by the National Band of Alajuela. August 20, 10 a.m., UCR Occidente University Campus, San Ramón. Open to all.
• Concert by the National Band of Heredia. August 21, 7 p.m., Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Heredia. Open to all.
• Nostalgic concert with local artists. August 21, 7 p.m., Alfredo González Flores House Monument, Heredia. Open to all.
• Concert by the National Band of Guanacaste. August 21, 9 a.m., Pueblo Nuevo School of Liberia. Open to all.
• Concert by the National Band of Cartago. August 22, 6:30 p.m., Church of Taras. Open to all.
• World premiere of the national short film “Emma,” by the young director Daniela Marín Navarro. August 23, 7 p.m., Gómez Miralles Hall at the Film Center. Open to all.

Activities at Civic Centers for Peace

• Sculpture and ceramics art exhibition. From August 18 to 22, Santa Cruz Civic Center for Peace, during CCP hours.
• Literature and arts workshop. August 18, 3 p.m., Heredia Civic Center for Peace. Organized by the National Library System and the Sociocultural Management Directorate.
• Workshops for youth with different local artists in various expressions: Theater, Plastic Arts, Music, Dance. August 20, 2 p.m., Pococí Civic Center for Peace. Open to all.
• Digital painting exhibition by the Acrylic group. August 20, 12 noon, Santa Cruz Civic Center for Peace. Open to all.
• Presentation of two children’s plays: “Juanito’s Homework” and “Peter and the Wolf.” August 20, 5:30 p.m., Santa Cruz Civic Center for Peace. Activity for mothers of users.
• Talks for National Artist Day. From August 20 to 22, 5 p.m., Desamparados Civic Center for Peace. On the 20th, a talk on inclusive theater and a sensory experience; on the 21st, a visit from the State University Dance Company of the University of Costa Rica (for CCPD students); on the 22nd, a Cultural Gathering led by students from the CCPD youth forum.
• “We Are Culture” Festival for National Artist Day. Recreational activities, artistic performances by local groups, children’s groups, a community band, the SINEM Aguas Zarcas chamber orchestra, and the Dance Group from the National Dance Workshop of the Aguas Zarcas Civic Center for Peace. Closing with a community film afternoon. August 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the community of Castelmare, Cutris, San Carlos. Open to all.

Activities in Libraries

• Workshop: Let’s Celebrate Artists! August 18, 10 a.m., Hatillo Public Library. Target audience: Children 0-5 years.
• Workshop: Metal Embossing Techniques. August 19, 2 p.m., Alajuela Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• Puriscal Talents Festival. August 20, 3 p.m., Puriscal Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• Workshop: National Artist Day. August 20, 2 p.m., La Capri Public Library. Target audience: Seniors.
• Book Launch “Poems to End Oblivion.” August 20, 1:30 p.m., Pérez Zeledón Public Library.
• Workshop: Celebrating the National Artist. August 20, 2 p.m., Palmares Public Library. Target audience: Children 6-12 years. Registration required, tel: 2453-3066.
• Workshop: Celebrating with Sarchí Artists. August 20, 1 p.m., Sarchí Public Library.
• Art and Dialogue Workshop. August 20, 1:30 p.m., Santa Ana Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• Workshop: Showcase of the work of traditional graphic novelist Ronald Díaz Cabrera. August 20, 10 a.m., Liberia Public Library. Target audience: Youth 13-35 years.
• Workshop: Open Doors to Imagination. August 20, 10 a.m., San Mateo Public Library. Target audience: Seniors.
• Workshop: Celebrating National Artist Day: Between Jars and Reliefs. August 20, 10 a.m., Tibás Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• National Artist Day “Celebrating the Afro-Costa Rican Artist.” Exhibition of literary works by Afro-Costa Rican writers. August 20, 10:30 a.m., Limón Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• Interview with National Artists from Moravia. August 20, 10:30 a.m., Moravia Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• Creating My Own Artist. August 21, 3 p.m., Guararí de Heredia Public Library. Target audience: Children 6-12 years.
• Poetry Recital. August 21, 2 p.m., Desamparados Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• Art in a Brush. August 21, 2 p.m., San Joaquín Public Library. Target audience: Adults 36-64.
• Art and Painting: Let’s Portray My District. August 21, 1 p.m., Golfito Public Library. Target audience: Children 6-12 years.
• Compilation of Costa Rican Stories. August 21, 1 p.m., Pococí Public Library. Target audience: Youth 13-35 years.
• Workshop: Between Stories and Coffee: Gatherings About Our Art. August 21, 10 a.m., Hatillo Public Library. Target audience: Seniors.