QCOSTARICA – What is the big deal at the Nicaragua (Peñas Blancas) border these last few days, is a question repeated by some readers of the Q, of the mild exodus of Nicaraguans heading home.
The constant flow of many Nicaraguans leaving Costa Rica this weekend is on the occasion of Mother’s Day, celebrated in Nicaragua on May 30.
According to immigration authorities and police, so far evertything is going smoothly and no incidents.
Mother’s Day in Nicaragua is a big deal. This is very important holiday for the Nicaraguans, with preparations beginning early in May.
Mother’s Day (Día de la Madre) in Nicaragua was established in the 1940s by then-President Anastasio Somoza García, designating May 30 as the day of celebration, since it was birthday of Casmira Sacasa, his wife’s mother.
Mother’s Day celebrations include special gifts for mom. Typical celebrations include a Mother’s Day cake, some say is mandatory for celebration. Cities and towns organizes concerts and different activities.
Nicaraguans in Costa Rica who cannot visit their mother in Nicaragua on Mother’s Day will typically send cash to help out the family celebrate one of the important holidays for Nicaraguans.
Around Latin America, Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates.
- In Costa Rica, Mother’s Day, a national holiday, is celebrated every August 15
- In Guatemala and El Salvador Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10
- In Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela Mother’s Day is on the Second Sunday of May
- Paraguay celebrates Mother’s Day on May 15
- Bolivia on May 27
- Argentina celebrates Mother’s Day on the third Sunday of October
- In Panama Mother’s Day is on December 8