On Friday, the City Council of Los Angeles declared August 31, 2018, as the first Dia del Costarricense celebrated in the City. With an event at the Tom Bradley Hall in the 26th floor of L.A. City Hall, a group of Costa Ricans residing in Los Angeles marked the occasion with food, folkloric dances, patriotic songs, and the acceptance of a plaque signed by Councilmember Gil Cedillo.

August 31 was selected to coincide with the date when, back in 1848, the Republic of Costa Rica was first established. The declaration became a reality thanks to the leadership of Brigit Cordero, with the support of Gustavo Sancho, Costa Rican Consul in Los Angeles.

Special guests at the event were Amarilys Ortiz, Yolanda Gutierrez, and Lia Jenny Andrews, representing the Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, and Honduran communities in Los Angeles, respectively.

The declaration was officially presented by Deputy District Director Hugo Ortiz and Field Deputy Luis Gonzalez, both from the Gil Cedillo Office.

The afternoon wrapped up nicely with a sing-along of the “Patriotica Costarricense,” musical presentations by Daril Talbot aka “Costa Man” and urban performer Francisco Jimenez, and an apple cider toast served in flutes decorated with the Costa Rican flag.

Enjoy the pictures below. There’s also a two-minute video of highlights posted “live” to Instagram during the event.

Brigit Cordero and Consul Gustavo Sancho hold the declaration of ‘Dia del Costarricense’
Costa Rica Consul – Gustavo Sancho
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Yolanda Gutierrez, representing Nicaragua
Field Deputy Luiz Gonzalez
Distinguished people receive Certificates of Recognition
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Deputy District Director Hugo Ortiz
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Oswald Bernardo and Brigid Cordero
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Roberto Cascante receives his Certificate of Recognition
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Singing the U.S. National Anthem – Sofia Cohen
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Las Reinas – Sophia Rosales and Janel Monge
Folkloric dances
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Darin Talbot “Costaman”
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Francisco Jimenez
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Folkloric dancers (Los Amores de Laco)
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Pretty toast
yours truly 🙂 and William Hidalgo
Certificates of Recognition were given to several members of the Costa Rican community in Los Angeles
yours truly 🙂 and Darin Talbot