Photo Credit: Esteban Chinchilla / FIA 2017

The XVI edition of the International Festival of the Arts (FIA) in Costa Rica will take place April 6 through April 15, and will include a total of 92 artistic groups, 18 participating countries and 162 presentations.

Under the slogan “The window to discover art”, the FIA will bring together over 1100 professionals in 7 main sites that include, theaters and different parks and plazas, as well as 11 complementary sites.

This year the honorary guest country is Colombia, and the shows and presentations will in one way or another make reference to peace and the construction of the peace process.

“The FIA 2018, will be, once again, a space for the enjoyment of all citizens, an encounter party for peace and coexistence that will fill with vitality different public spaces. Together with institutions and local governments that are committed to achieving higher quality and participation, we will have a new explosion of art and sensitivity with the presence of 18 nations and especially of Colombia as a guest of honor. We invite, one again, all our families and generations to share and enjoy the different presentations by FIA, a cultural party open to everyone”, stated Sylvie Duran, Minister of Culture and Youth, through a press release.

50 National groups will be taking part of this year’s festival, with participation in different disciplines, literature, dance, music, theater and special projects.

The main scenarios will be the National Theater, the Melico Salazar Theater, the Aduana Theater, Dance Theater and 1887.

“Our support to the FIA is a sample of the work we have done from the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) to promote cultural tourism, our essence and traditions in the different actions that we carry out in and out of our boarders, but it also reflects the importance of two institutions such as the ICT and the Ministry of Culture working hand in hand to promote culture as a differentiating element that provides an incalculable value to the tourism experience”, explained Mauricio Ventura, Minister of Tourism.

Just like last year, the complete schedule of activities will be shared through a web application as of March, and it will provide information on each show, the sites and schedules as well as the cost of the tickets.

Among the invited countries are: Canada, United States, UK, Netherlands, Haiti, Mexico, Denmark, Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Norway, Guatemala, Colombia (guest of honor) and Peru.