The Concert for Peace is the annual cultural program through which the Costa Rica Support and Promotion Office (OSPCR) commemorates in Jerusalem the abolition of the Costa Rican army and showcases Costa Rica through its culture. The Israel Ibero-America Chamber of Commerce (CILIB) supports this initiative as part of its cultural activities.
Why a Concert for Peace
December 1, 2019 marked 71 years since the abolition of the Army in Costa Rica. Although it is not the only State without Armed Forces, it is one of the most successful cases in achieving a stable, democratic political system, with significant social achievements and a meaningful role in the international system. This unique experience is directly linked to the democratic and pacifist outlook of the Costa Rican people, who prefer to put dialogue and mutual understanding ahead of violence and undemocratic impositions.
For this reason, the OSPCR decided to raise awareness of this important feature of Costa Rican culture through the annual program “The Concert for Peace,” held every year since December 7, 2017, to celebrate and highlight the positive impact that the abolition of Costa Rica’s army and the preservation of democratic values have had, both on the Costa Rican State itself and on its people.
Nationally, the abolition of the army is considered one of the Costa Rican State’s most important achievements and, at the same time, it demonstrates internationally the country’s sincere trust in diplomacy as a means of resolving conflicts.
The abolition of the army in Costa Rica
Costa Rica abolished its army on December 1, 1948, by decision of the Founding Junta of the Second Republic, presided over by José Figueres Ferrer. The 1949 Political Constitution enshrined that decision in its Article 12, which prohibits the army as a permanent institution. Since then, Army Abolition Day has been celebrated in the country every December 1.
Editions of the Concert for Peace
The news published by the Chamber (formerly the Israel Ibero-America Multilateral Chamber of Commerce and Cooperation) documents the third edition, in 2019, and the fourth, in 2022.
Third edition (2019): 71 years without an army
The third edition was dedicated to the 71st anniversary of the abolition of Costa Rica’s army and featured an Ibero-American delegation as guest of honor, which the Chamber welcomed at its opening cocktail reception in Jerusalem, held on November 27, 2019. That same day, the delegation visited the Knesset.
Notable attendees and speakers included:
- The delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, made up of deputies Ana Karine Niño, Ivonne Acuña and Giovanni Gómez. Ana Karine Niño delivered a speech.
- Bernardita Lourdes Xitumul Piox, Secretary of Peace of the Presidency of Guatemala, who addressed the attendees.
- Jordi Gallardo, Minister of the Presidency and Economy of Andorra, who highlighted the similarities between Andorra and Costa Rica, two States without an army.
The musical program brought together:
- the official OSPCR ensemble, which performed Costa Rican folk music and revives works by composers such as Alcides Prado, Alejandro Monestel and Julio Fonseca;
- Los Ladinos, a group of five young musicians trained in Israel, founded by Lidor Ram Mesika to revive Sephardic music;
- Yehuda Glantz and Mariel Piven, musicians with Argentine and Israeli roots;
- maestro Francesco Lotoro, who devotes his work to recovering music composed in the concentration camps, remembered the victims of the Shoah and paid tribute to Costa Rican composers with “El Duelo de la Patria.”
According to the Chamber’s news, the third edition also led to the first official visit by the Government of Andorra to Costa Rica, in March 2020, which included meetings with COMEX and the Legislative Assembly, Costa Rican deputies, SENASA, the National Technical University (UTN), the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and PROCOMER.
Fourth edition (2022): Manuel Obregón and “Simbiosis”
The fourth edition of the Concert for Peace was scheduled for December 1, 2022, at the Auditorium of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, named for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in Jerusalem. Costa Rican artist Manuel Obregón, a pianist and composer who served as Costa Rica’s Minister of Culture and Youth, was chosen to represent the country with “Simbiosis,” a musical experience in which the sounds of the piano are accompanied by images of the Monteverde cloud forest.
David O. Abraham, Director General of the OSPCR, explained the choice of artist as follows:
“It is a tradition at this event to invite high-caliber, internationally recognized artists; on this occasion the guest artist will be Maestro Manuel Obregón, who will perform his repertoire ‘Simbiosis,’ which is based on the natural sounds of Costa Rica’s forests.”
Concert for Peace timeline
- December 7, 2017: the annual Concert for Peace program begins.
- November 27, 2019: welcome cocktail reception for the Ibero-American delegation and visit to the Knesset.
- November 2019: third edition, with the Costa Rican legislative delegation, the Secretary of Peace of Guatemala, the Minister from Andorra, the OSPCR ensemble, Los Ladinos, Yehuda Glantz and Mariel Piven and Francesco Lotoro.
- March 5, 2020: agenda of Andorra’s visit to Costa Rica, with meetings at COMEX, the Legislative Assembly, SENASA, UTN, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PROCOMER.
- December 1, 2022: fourth edition, with Manuel Obregón (scheduled date).
The Chamber and cultural diplomacy
The Concert for Peace is part of the cultural activities of the Israel Ibero-America Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about the Chamber and see the country profiles for Costa Rica and Israel.