TRINIDAD: THE COFFE CITY

For more than 150 years coffee has been the main source of income in Trinidad.  For this reason, Trinidad has become known as the "City of Coffee". Trinidad’s roots may be traced back to the 17th century, when a group of spaniards stumbled upon the quaint cool valley while searching for an ideal place to cultivate various crops and raise cattle.  These activities continue to be the economic forces of Trinidad today.  Current residents have a humble, jolly nature and are proud of their origins, customs, and traditions- which they would love to share with you.  Trinidad is proud to host a variety of events throughout the year such as theater productions, parades, cattle shows, traditional games, giant carpets made of sawdust, as well as giant chimneys.   Surrounded by a vast variety of trees, animals, birds and exotic flowers, Trinidad is the perfect destination for visitors who wish to enjoy a true experience in rural tourism.  Other activities that will contribute to an unforgettable family getaway are hiking, horse or donkey-back rides, and traveling to the local river.  Trinidad is waiting with open arms to share its hospitality and friendship with you and your family.       

 

THEATER GROUP “LA SIEMBRA”

“Teatro la Siembra” is an artistic group that has been developing cultural activities and events in Trinidad since 2001.  It has formed various theater groups for local youth and performed plays such as “La Segunda Gesta”, “La Ultima Batalla”, “El Globito de la Vida”, and “El Tijuana”, all which focus on the theme of HIV/AIDS prevention.  In addition, Teatro la Siembra leads Trinitecos in carrying out the local tradition of performing “The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ” during Easter week.  The group has also performed other plays with religious themes such as “El Cantar de los Cantares” and “Saulo de Tarso”.  Each day, “Teatro la  Siembra” continues experimenting with new aesthetic techniques and contributing to the development of young adults in Trinidad.         

    

 

 

Calendar of Events for the National Capital of Traditional Culture
Trinidad, Santa Barbara

Name of Event
Date
Brief description of event

 

Dramatic art night

 

January 1

 

“Teatro la Siembra’s” dramatic art night allows the group to share its latest undertaking with the public.  Each year this event is dedicated to Trinidad’s eternal fight to grow and prosper as a municipality.

 

Meeting with Trinidad’s Writers

 

Saturday, January 3

This event is organized by Trinidad’s Writers Society with the objective to promote literature in the community.  This is an annual public event where 20 writers present their works

 

 

Sawdust Carpets Display

 

 

Easter Week

The giant carpets have become part of our Easter Week traditions and have their own distinct style.  Made with colored sawdust as well as colored dirt. Figures are made from giant cardboard molds that may be reused in the future.  These giant murals measure roughly 200 meters long and five meters wide- providing enough work to include everyone who would like to participate.  The giant carpets are shown in both Palm Sunday and Good Friday.

 

 

Public concerts and dances with the marimba band, TECA LINDA

 

 

 

Every Sunday of the year

 

After Sunday night Catholic mass Trinidad’s tradition is to have a marimba concert and dance in the central park.  Marimba lovers show their talents by moving to the sounds of old melodies that are interpreted by the local marimba band, TECA LINDA

 

 

Fair in honor of St. Trinidad

 

 

 

Middle of July

During Trinidad’s fair in honor of its saint, the town comes together to organize a beauty pageant, horse races, gala dances, bonfires, the dance of the giant woman puppet, the climbing of the greased pole, and the traditional ringing of the church bells at dawn

 

Traditional fair

 

 

July 17 - 18

 

Each year the educational institutions plan the celebration of the Traditional Fair where a variety of dishes are prepared that represent Honduras’ various ethnic groups

 

 

Traditional games fair

Let’s play again 

 

 

 

October 2 - 3

The goal of the Municipality’s Traditional Games Fair is to strengthen Trinidad’s appreciation and knowledge of how its ancestors played.  

Each year, more children are called to the streets to participate in this event, learning to play with spinning tops, marbles, songs, carts, and others.  It is, without a doubt, an experience that will help people to appreciate Trinidad’s historic legacy

 

Cultural night between Sister towns

 

Last week in August

 

This is an event where the ties of friendship are strengthened between towns in the name of the arts.  Invited guests will share their unique talents such as folk dance from Puebla, Mexico, and ballet from Guanacaste, Costa Rica.  The Company Franlepe, from Guatemala, has also performed in the past

 

Arts, crafts and gastronomical county fair

 

September 15 - 19

 

During this event towns share their arts and crafts and culinary traditions, while at the same time strengthening their own cultural identity

 

Grandparent’s day

 

 

November 6

 

This event is a manner to share with our grandparents how wonderful it is to be a part of their family.  The day is celebrated with artistic presentations, lunch, coffee with bread, and a dance with marimba music

 

Traditional christmas activities:
- Giant Chimneys
- Nativity Scenes made by families and neighborhoods
Puppets, Youth soccer championship

 

December 7 – January 6

 

Traditional Christmas activities are one of the strongest components that contribute to Trinidad’s culture.  The variety of events make the town come to life and provide a unique and exciting experience each year.

The giant chimenys welcome Mary’s conception and search for an inn.  Nativity scenes of various sizes are constructed by families and neighborhoods, including a live nativity scene in the city’s plaza.  Traditional clothes are worn, giant puppets are constructed, and youth partake in an annual soccer championship