News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 9/8/04   COSTA RICAN FOLK DANCE GROUP VISITING SOUTHEASTERN      HAMMOND – The folk dance group Chirripó will visit Southeastern Louisiana University on Wednesday, Sept. 15 as part of its celebration of the 183rd anniversary of Costa Rican independence.  Sponsored by the General Consulate of Costa Rica and the Southeastern foreign languages and literatures department, the group will perform at noon at the War Memorial Student Union.      “This is a rare opportunity to experience firsthand the culture and folklore of this wonderful Central American country,” said foreign languages professor Luz Escobar.       Escobar said Chirripó was founded in October 1993 as the Folk Dance Company of the School of Dental Surgeons. “Naturally, members of the group were either dentists or students in the School of Dentistry, and its primary purpose was to rescue and to preserve the traditions and folklore of their country,” Escabar said. Recently, Costa Rica’s president and minister of culture declared the group a “National Cultural Treasure.”       Chirripó’s performances feature original songs and original prints, paintings, and drawings as stage backgrounds and decorations.      For additional information, contact Escobar at 985-549-2266 or lescobar@selu.edu.