STATE VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA - Community Event in Puerto Limón

Her Excellency took the time to speak with youths from the community.

The Governor General attended a community event hosted by the Congresswoman of the Province of Limón Ms. Yalile Esna and the Mayor of Limón Mr. Jeffrey Backford. Here, Her Excellency is given the keys to the City by the Mayor.

Many community members attend the event held at Park Town Square in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica.

A youth from the community played the violon during the event.

“And at the heart of this adventure is our joint desire—which is certainly our greatest promise for the future—to transcend the wounds of the pasts to embrace a future, starting now, where, regardless of ethnic differences, we uphold the values of justice and equality for all. That is our greatest wish, and I wanted to mention it especially here, in Puerto Limón, in the hope that we would be encouraged to better share more of our respective histories, which are the America’s most valuable resources.”

The Governor General delivered an address to the community: "I am happy to be with you in a place that celebrates diversity, which I believe is one of the Americas’ greatest strengths. I am told that a significant proportion of your population is of Afro-Caribbean decent and that, in the south, there are Amerindian communities, just as we have in Canada; these communities remind us that the history of this continent began long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus and that America was built on the blood and sweat of our deported ancestors from Africa."

Youths from the community read a poem in honour of the Governor General's visit.