National Theater of Costa Rica: 128 years
National Theater celebrates its 128th anniversary with a poetry gala and numerous activities
The National Theater of Costa Rica commemorates its 128th anniversary with a series of cultural events that pay tribute to poetry, music, dance, and plays.
The evening will bring together renowned figures from Costa Rican literature, led by Arabella Salaverry, poet, storyteller, and actress, winner of the 2021 Magón Culture Award, whose work represents a bridge between words and the performing arts. Julieta Dobles, one of the most established voices in national poetry, recognized for her work as a poet, essayist, and professor, will also participate.
Ronald Bonilla, writer and educator, will join the gala, along with Marjorie Ross, journalist and poet who has combined research and literary sensibility. Manuel Monestel, poet and founder of the Cantoamérica group, promoter of Limón calypso and Afro-Caribbean culture, will close the event.
An anniversary that reinforces culture
The National Theater is not just a building; it is a heart that beats with the energy of an entire country. Today, as we celebrate its 128th anniversary, we reaffirm its role as an open school of art and as a stage where present and future generations are formed, dream, and transform themselves. From the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Board of Directors, our commitment is to keep it full of life and experiences that unite Costa Rica around culture, because here every performance is also a lesson in citizenship and shared hope.
Minister of Culture, Jorge Rodríguez
Scheduled activities
The celebrations began on October 12 and will continue throughout the week with a program that includes talks, recitals, dance performances, theater, literature, concerts, and guided tours, both at the National Theater and the Vargas Calvo Theater.
Here is the complete schedule of activities:
October 15
- Presentation and discussion of the book Graciela Moreno, with Elizabeth Odio, Lil Picado, and Adrián Goizueta. Foyer, 5:00 p.m. Free admission.
- Poetry Gala, with Arabella Salaverry, Julieta Dobles, Ronald Bonilla, Marjorie Ross, and Manuel Monestel. Main hall, 7:30 p.m. Free admission.
October 16
- Anatomy of Time, with the UNA Chamber Dance Company, directed by Mario Vircha. Main hall, 7:00 p.m. Free admission.
October 17th
- Talk on the restoration of the Foyer, with Alicia Zamora. Foyer, 5:00 p.m. Free admission.
- CLAROSCURO Concert “Anthology.” Main Hall, 7:30 p.m. Prices: ₡8,000–₡12,000.
October 18th
- Special Gala Concert by the National Band Selection, with guest conductors Andrey Cruz, Andrés Porras, and Josué Jiménez, and soloists Mario Mora (French horn), Ono Mora (tenor), and Elsa Castro (soprano). Main hall, 7:00 p.m. Free admission.
October 19th
- Crossing, free guided tours throughout the day, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Show La mula que me parió, at the Vargas Calvo Theater. Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 5:00 p.m.
- Acting and direction: Andy Gamboa
- General admission: ₡8,000
- Synopsis: The play explores the life of Sandra, a woman immersed in a suffocating domestic environment. Through humor, her daily life is revealed, marked by loneliness and personal desires.
Tickets can be purchased at the National Theater box office and on its official website. For free events, a maximum of three tickets will be given per person.
The 128th anniversary of the National Theater celebrates the continuity of art and culture in Costa Rica, reaffirming the venue’s role as a space where society meets and engages in dialogue through artistic creation.
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