4 Days to FIUTS CulturalFest 2024!

“Our passion to continue upholding and showcasing our culture was our main drive to participate in CulturalFest.” 

Diana Cambronero Venegas, Booth Captain of Costa Rica 

There are interesting and amazing stories that circulate at FIUTS CulturalFest every year. Visitors to the Expo learn more about a country in an entertaining and educational way. 

As cultural advocates for many years, Diana Cambronero Venegas and her Caña Dulce troupe are bringing their passion and efforts to us this year, introducing a historical story of Costa Rica through music and dance:

We are Caña Dulce (“sugar cane”). We are a group of passionate volunteers, whose mission is to promote and preserve Costa Rica’s intangible cultural heritage to cultivate traditions in the community through outfits, music, and folklore dances. We performed traditional folklore dancing to tell the history of our country and its 7 providences; and Calypso to honor the rich Afro-Costa Rican history, specifically from the Limón region. 

Our passion to continue upholding and showcasing our culture was our main drive to participate in CulturalFest. We have been dancing as a group since 2016 and CulturalFest was the next step to highlight and share our group, but more importantly our culture, to a broader audience. 

As Booth Captains, we’ve had to step outside our comfort zone on numerous occasions. We understand logistics and moving parts behind the scenes, as well as the weight it holds, and sincerely appreciate the patience and opportunity to represent Costa Rica. One of the challenges we faced was deciding which items to show case, performance and outfits due to space constraints, and performers apt for this occasion. 

One important point we are showcasing is the Ox cart, which is a national symbol. The Cart or Cart of Oxes was declared a national symbol of the workforce in 1988. During the 19th century it was used as a transport tool for coffee plantations and commerce. The Cart and history of coffee plantation will also be depicted through the folklore dances we will be performing at the International Expo. 

CulturalFest motivated us to “dance” outside our comfort zone to ensure Costa Rica, our beautiful country from Central America, is represented. We are looking forward to expanding our community with the other students and groups present. 

How will Diana and her troupe portray the history of Costa Rican coffee plantations through folk dancing? Come and find out at CulturalFest 2024!