History of the Lantern Parade

The Lantern Parade is the Scream of Independence

All September 14, students, parents and teachers take the streets with beautiful and colorful lanterns to commemorate the scream of Independence.

But although this is one of the busiest national celebrations, there are few Costa Ricans who really know the real story.

Do you know why the Costa Ricans and other Central Americans walk the streets of their country with lanterns? The response….from the nineteenth century in Guatemala.

Overview

It was Dolores Bedoya that ran through all the streets of Guatemala, Antigua now, the night of 14 September 1821 with a lantern in his hands and looking for citizens to gather at the square opposite the town hall, where they were together the county councils of Guatemala, including Chiapas, Honduras and El Salvador.

Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, which belonged to the deputation of Nicaragua León, was unaware of the events that occurred in the neighboring country.

The objective of the Guatemalan population, was yelling at one throat "Viva la Patria", "Viva la Libertad", a few hours to declare independence of that nation, on September 15.

The whole town gathered at City Hall with their lamps and lanterns, there was no electricity at that time. Everybody with their calls and pressures, ensured that the patricians stamped the desired signature.

Since then, year after year, people began to decorate free humble homes with lights to commemorate the patriotic holidays and the exploits of Dolores Bedoya.

The lanterns lit at 6 pm and by the singing of National Anthem of Costa Rica, give faithful testimony of such a worthy celebration in search of the freedom of nations and thousands of villagers tired of the oppression under Spanish rule.

Decorations with lights were kept for years as a tradition, but it would be until the end of last century, that the parades took popularity. Walks with lanterns were feeling in each town to celebrate the eve of Independence Day.

In the Second Republic

The twentieth century set the tone. Heretofore the listed courses, lighted by candlelight and filled with patriotic colors were just a habit, there was nothing to makee the Ticos to take the streets and celebrate the proclamation of independence.

As the story goes, were the same neighbors who gathered to organize the parade and once again give the appropriate credit to Dolores Bedoya, a revolutionary.

Until mid-century and after the 1948 revolution, during which there were important changes, the Founders of the second Republic paid special attention to the rescue of patriotic values, especially the Parade of Lanterns.

The reformers have encouraged communities to come out each year through neighborhoods with lanterns to celebrate another year of freedom and love of country, awarding prizes for the best creations.

Those responsible for promoting the activities were the teachers of schools and colleges across the country.

By 1953 there was the appointment of Manuel Ureña as Director General of Schools of San Jose, who gave special attention to the celebrations and officially to all schools on 14 September as a special day for the Parade of Lanterns, at 6 afternoon.

The tradition continues today and this year is no exception.

"On 15 September in our country have not yet heard the news of independence, so that the custom of the lamps was copied without any basis in Guatemala," said Frank Fernandez, a historian.

City Counsil

Independence news came to Costa Rican the first half of October, after a long journey from the neighboring country of Nicaragua. It was not to tell the story, but to make knowledge of the Ticos, the decision of the other Central American nations.

After that day, the people, and the Spanish authorities were summoned to attend a town meeting to understand the implications of independence.

Delegates of San José, Heredia, Alajuela, Barva, Aserrí, Espiritu Santo de Esparza, Bagaces, Cartago and Ujarrás gathered at City Hall, in Cartago.

The Spanish authorities came to that meeting without weapons, because the Costa Rican youth took the barracks and took off all weapons, in order to settle the issue by dialogue, not force.

José Francisco Osejo was who led the group and managed disarmament.

Absolute independence from Spain was the October 29, 1821. In just one month, Costa Rica had a constitutional government and the first Constitution, called Pacto Fundamental Interino of Costa Rica or Pacto de Concordia.

For 1824 in Guatemala, met the Central American Federation and forced the independence celebrations take place on 15 of the current month.

   VIVA COSTA RICA!!!!!