In a press conference held this Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the facilities of the Ministerio de Cultura y Juventud (MCJ), the names of the individuals and collectives who will receive the 2025 National Culture Awards were announced. These awards represent the highest recognition granted by the Costa Rican State to those who have made significant contributions to the country’s artistic and cultural development.
Authorities emphasized that these honors seek to recognize lifetime achievement, creative excellence, and commitment to Costa Rican culture across multiple disciplines, ranging from the arts to journalism and research.
During the announcement, Minister of Culture and Youth Jorge Rodríguez Vives reported a restructuring in the composition of the award juries, aimed at reducing discretion and strengthening participation from the artistic sector.
Under the new regulations, each jury will be composed of five members:
- one representative from the MCJ;
- one representative from the Consejo Nacional de Rectores (Conare);
- the winner of the category in the previous edition;
- and two members of the artistic sector selected through an assembly process.
The minister stated that these changes will promote greater transparency and a more representative evaluation of the country’s diverse cultural fields.
Main Awardees
Among the most prominent distinctions are:
National Culture Award Magón
Granted to Otto Apuy Sirias in recognition of his solid artistic career and lasting impact on the country’s cultural thought and production.
National Award for Intangible Cultural Heritage Emilia Prieto
Presented to Florentino Hernández Hernández, a traditional Bribri Indigenous artisan and fisherman, for more than five decades of transmitting ancestral knowledge.
National Award for Audiovisual Arts Amando Céspedes Marín
Honors in production, direction, and screenwriting were given to creators such as Juan Manuel Fernández Escoto, Álvaro Torres Crespo, and the creative team behind the series 2/ Cómic y la caricatura en Costa Rica.
National Award for Visual Arts Francisco Amighetti
Recognitions for works in two-dimensional art (Laura Astorga Monestel), three-dimensional art (José Daniel Gómez), and other media (Aysha Morales and Lucía Levy).
Additional awards include the National Dance Award Mireya Barboza, the National Theater Award Ricardo Fernández Guardia, the National Award for Cultural Management and Promotion, the National Cultural Research Award Luis Ferrero Acosta, the National Music Award Carlos Enrique Vargas, and various categories of the Aquileo J. Echeverría National Literature Awards.
In journalism, the 2025 Pío Víquez National Journalism Award was presented to the Interferencia team from the University of Costa Rica Radio Stations for high-level investigative reporting addressing cases of sexual abuse allegations.
The Joaquín García Monge National Cultural Communication Award was granted to the Fundación SONAR, recognized for its contribution to the dissemination and promotion of culture.
Authorities announced that the official awards ceremony will take place on May 5, 2026, at the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, where the cultural contributions of the honorees will be celebrated in a ceremony expected to become a significant artistic milestone.
The National Culture Awards are regarded as a space for recognizing the talent, diversity, and creativity of Costa Rica’s cultural fabric. Beyond highlighting exceptional careers, they serve as a platform to showcase elements of living heritage and contemporary artistic expressions that form an essential part of the nation’s identity.
