|
|
 |
PUBLIC Art: Artists are busy at work and almost finished with this mural on downtown San José's Ave. 10. Inspired by the work of Costa Rican artist Lola Fernández, the mural was designed by Adrián Gómez and is part of the San José's Municipality initiative to infuse art into public spaces. |
| Mónica Quesada | Tico Times |
 |
| Catholic Church in Costa Rica
Supports CAFTA Referendum |
The Catholic Church yesterday announced its support for a popular vote on the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA), which President Oscar Arias called for Friday.
|
|
Argument Continues Between Costa Rica
and Nicaragua Over Detained Fishing Boat |
In what has become a back-and-forth spat, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos Friday responded to a letter of protest sent to him last week by his Costa Rican counterpart Bruno Stagno over a Costa Rica fishing boat detained by Nicaraguan authorities April 10. |
|
| Tope Kicks off Festival in Alajuela |
Alajuela, just 17 kilometers northwest of San Jose, may be known as the City of Mangoes, but every year in April, in time for Juan Santamaría Day April 11, it becomes the City of Horses with a grand tope, or horse parade, starting off the city's Feria del Erizo (Erizo, literally “hedgehog,” was this national hero's nickname.)
|
|
|
 |
| Friday April 17 |
 |
AnimaFest 2007 Animation Festival
Talks and audiovisual presentations with artists including Osvaldo Sequeira, John Timms, Johanny Hernández and Christian Solís, today through Thursday, Spanish Cultural Center, Barrio Escalante. Info: 257-2919, ext. 118,
mediateca@ccecr.org.
Festival Luz de Luna 2007
Today through Sunday, art exhibits during the day, concerts, mime, theater, dance, circus at 7 p.m., in front of church in Santa Ana, west of San José. Info: 282-8662.
|
|
Edited By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff | aroberson@ticotimes.net
|
|
Catholic Church in Costa Rica
Supports CAFTA Referendum |
By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff | aroberson@ticotimes.net
|
The Catholic Church yesterday announced its support for a popular vote on the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA), which President Oscar Arias called for Friday.
A referendum would be an “effective mechanism to reach a national agreement” on this controversial trade agreement, José Francisco Ulloa, president of the Episcopal Conference, told The Tico Times.
Arias Friday announced plans to send a referendum decree to the Legislative Assembly today, and if at least 29 of the 57 legislators approve it, the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) will then have 90 days to hold the nationwide vote.
If a referendum is convened, the Catholic Church will encourage citizens to get out and vote and will “collaborate” however it can, Ulloa said.
“We are making a loud call to all citizens that in order to strengthen our democratic system, they should take advantage of this instrument to express their opinion on an issue as crucial as CAFTA,” said a statement released yesterday by the Episcopal conference, according to the wire service ACAN-EFE.
The Episcopal Conference also called for the press to remain objective in covering the topic by “guaranteeing and creating conditions of equality for those of all opinions,” the statement said.
Ulloa said the church will maintain its stance of not taking an official position on CAFTA and will continue to promote dialogue on the matter and encourage people to “express themselves freely according to their personal beliefs.”
Costa Rica is the only signatory country that has not yet ratified CAFTA. |
|
Argument Continues Between Costa Rica
and Nicaragua Over Detained Fishing Boat |
In what has become a back-and-forth spat, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos Friday responded to a letter of protest sent to him last week by his Costa Rican counterpart Bruno Stagno over a Costa Rica fishing boat detained by Nicaraguan authorities April 10.
Nicaragua claims the boat, named “El Privilegio,” invaded its waters, while Costa Rica claims it was clearly in Tico waters and was unjustly detained.
Santos' note, which was posted on the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry's Web site yesterday, reiterated his country's position that the boat trespassed on Nicaraguan waters.
The Nicaraguan military's detention of the boat “took place in the context of compliance with its plans for protection of fishing resources and the fight against illegal activities at sea,” the letter reads.
The small boat with five passengers aboard – four Costa Ricans and two U.S. citizens -- “was found in a frank violation of international security norms for navigation,” it said.
The passengers were released the day of the arrest, and Nicaraguan authorities allowed them to bring the boat back to Costa Rica after paying a fine, according to the daily La Nación.
Santos also alleged that Costa Rica “unilaterally imposed a limit to Nicaragua's maritime territory” by ignoring Pacific Ocean limits negotiated by the two countries.
This stance “in no way corresponds with the theory and practice of diplomacy and international rights,” Santos said.
As of yesterday afternoon, the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry had not publicly responded to Santos' letter. |
-ACAN-EFE
|
|
Tope Kicks off Festival in Alajuela |
By Mitzi Stark
editorial@ticotimes.net
|
Alajuela, just 17 kilometers northwest of San Jose, may be known as the City of Mangoes, but every year in April, in time for Juan Santamaría Day April 11, it becomes the City of Horses with a grand tope, or horse parade, starting off the city's Feria del Erizo (Erizo, literally “hedgehog,” was this national hero's nickname.)
On Saturday, 3,000 horses and riders pranced through the streets of Alajuela and out toward nearby Guácima in a spectacular show of equine culture.
Riders and horses came from all over Costa Rica, but mostly from the Alajuela Province, which is largely rural. The horses were a mixed collection of breeds and colors. The riders were young, old, svelte and stout, many carrying cell phones or beer.
The parade was led by an elegant carriage and riders from Rancho San Miguel, followed by Costa Rica's mounted police in their red uniform jackets.
The word “tope” comes from “topar,” to meet, and goes back to the days of the cattle drive, when cowboys rode out to meet the cattle coming in. Today's topes are fancier, with riders and horses at their best and many of the horses high-stepping along to music.
Even the rain and the hour and a half delay did not dampen the zeal of the riders or the public, and there was little neigh-saying from the horses.
|
|
|
|
| 
| Exchange Rates
