Invitation for an exhibition at the Spanish Cultural Center in San José, Costa Rica, celebrating 40 years of the Spanish Cooperation in Costa Rica.
October 27, 2024 0 Exhibition Belinda

Spanish Cooperation in Costa Rica

Spanish Cooperation in Costa Rica: Celebrating Four Decades of Cultural and Social Impact

In 2024, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) celebrates a milestone: 40 years of collaboration and growth in Costa Rica.

On 29 October 2024, the Centro Cultural de España en Costa Rica (CCE) presents 40 Years of Spanish Cooperation in Costa Rica, an exhibition that encapsulates four decades of shared dedication to humanitarian action, education, environmental initiatives, and cultural exchange.

The exhibition reflects the evolution of Spanish Cooperation’s mission since its roots in the 1950s, when early collaborations laid the groundwork for formal partnerships like the 1971 Technical Cooperation Agreement between Spain and Costa Rica. The real turning point, however, came in 1984 with the arrival of the first Spanish cooperators under the Institute of Ibero-American Cooperation (ICI), based in San José’s La Pitaya neighbourhood, which became known as the Spanish Technical Mission. This date marks the beginning of an organised, multi-faceted approach to development initiatives in Costa Rica, fueled by Spain’s commitment to reduce inequality and drive sustainable growth across Latin America.

Exhibition details Opening reception, 29 October, 7pm On until 23 February 2025 Location: Centro Cultural de España de Costa Rica, San José

MÍRAME Contact Information:

Art and Culture as Catalysts for Change

The 40 Years of Spanish Cooperation in Costa Rica exhibition takes visitors through a curated journey of artworks by 18 Costa Rican artists, each addressing themes from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Curators Ricardo Ramón Jarne and Iris Lam Chen selected pieces that spotlight the impact of sustainable development and the way artistic expression can embody and amplify these goals. From environmental protection and gender equality to cultural preservation, each artwork is a call to action and reflection on global issues.

Blue, red and pink abstract painting with a hoe in the centre perhaps held by the magical Yoruba farmer, by Aimée Joaristi from the Forma Del Tiempo Series called Yoruba painting

Aimée Joaristi, Yoruba, Mixed media on canvas

Participating artists, such as Aimée Joaristi, Karla Herencia, and Luciano Goizueta, bring distinct perspectives to this narrative. Joaristi’s work is deeply rooted in her Cuban heritage and personal journey across cultures, an influence visible through her use of painting, installation, performance, and video art. Each medium offers Joaristi a way to layer themes of identity, migration, and personal struggle, often blurring the lines between the political and the intimate. Her expressive canvases bring intense emotional responses to the surface, with bold colours and abstract forms that hint at human faces and architectural outlines. Joaristi’s approach enriches the exhibition’s narrative of Spanish-Costa Rican cooperation and also illuminates the emotional and social layers embedded within sustainable development goals.

Karla Herencia’s sculptures and installations are a direct response to the environmental degradation of Costa Rica’s coastlines. Herencia collects discarded plastics and industrial waste from the beaches of Puntarenas, transforming these materials into intricate, often haunting artworks. Her pieces explore the duality of human invention—destructive and transformative—and evoke the fragile balance between natural ecosystems and human progress. Through her work, Herencia emphasises the urgency of environmental responsibility, using art as an educational tool and a means of social critique.

contemporary abstract ocean painting, featuring blue, green, pink and yellow tones evoking the ocean. Exemplifying the Spanish Corporation in Costa Rica exhibition in San José.

Karla Herencia, Inteligencia No Humana, Acrylic on canvas

Luciano Goizueta’s paintings delve into themes of memory, space, and digital documentation. Known for his series-based approach, Goizueta examines the spaces we inhabit, both physically and digitally. His paintings explore the transience of human memory in an age dominated by constant documentation, mirroring the ways we leave digital traces through everyday actions. His work resonates with the SDG themes of innovation and sustainable urban development, asking viewers to reconsider their relationship with both real and virtual environments.

Expanding the Reach of Spanish Cooperation

This exhibition highlights artistic contributions and contextualises AECID’s ongoing role in Costa Rica. Guided by Spanish Cooperation’s V Master Plan, Costa Rica remains a priority, allowing AECID to maintain consistent partnerships in sectors such as education, human rights, and environmental policy.

Among the pivotal agreements is the 1990 Basic Scientific-Technical Cooperation Agreement, which remains in force and periodically reviewed by Joint Commissions to assess progress and new initiatives. This commitment expanded in 2021 with the signing of the Advanced Cooperation Agreement (ACA), bringing Costa Rica and Spain into closer alignment with the SDGs and incorporating innovative models like public-private partnerships and triangular cooperation. Costa Rica’s Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (RREE) continue to serve as primary interlocutors, joined by numerous governmental, local, and civil organisations.

Join the Celebration at Centro Cultural de España

The Centro Cultural de España (CCE), known affectionately as El Farolito, is a renowned institution within this collaborative framework, supporting local creators and fostering social inclusivity. With programmes dedicated to gender equality, human rights, and environmental conservation, CCE plays an active role in shaping Costa Rican cultural dialogue. This exhibition reflects its mission to bridge Spanish and Costa Rican cultural landscapes, aligning artistic endeavours with global sustainability goals.

Join the opening on October 29, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. (CST) at CCE in Costa Rica. The celebration of Spanish Cooperation in Costa Rica will feature live performances by Cantoamérica and Stephie Davis ("Queen of the Sea"), complemented by a selection of Latin American treats—empanadas, pupusas, and sangria. It’s a chance to experience firsthand the cultural vibrancy that emerges from decades of dedicated cooperation.

This will be a memorable night of art, music, and meaningful exchange at 40 Years of Spanish Cooperation in Costa Rica. Discover how art can unite cultures, be a catalyst for sustainable development, and a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to one another and the planet.

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