Encore for a national treasure.

• Author: Mujica, Barbara
• Position: National Theater of Costa Rica

With its massive neoclassical facade, its marble pillars and railings, its gold-leafed moldings and its handsom paintings and statuary, the National Theater of Costa Rica in San Jose is considered one of Latin America's most precious architectural treasures. Now, as a result of a powerful earthquake last December 22, this fine old building is on the verge of collapse.

Already weakened by termites and moisture damage, the foundations of the theater were ill-equipped to absorb the shock. Engineers Ana Lorena Quiros and Jorge Gutierrez, in charge of evaluating the harm done by the earthquake, informed the Costa Rican government that since no structural restoration had ever been performed on the 93-year-old theater, drastic emergency measures would have to be taken. According to Quiros, the separation of several key structural joints would make any future jolt to the building disastrous. The Costa Rican government responded by initiating a mammoth rescue operation.

Even before the earthquake, efforts had begun to restore the National Theater. On August 15, 1990, President Rafael Angel Calderon announced a campaign to save the "coliseum of Costa Rican cultural life." The original plan called for a purely architectural renovation. After the earthquake, however, it became clear that cosmetic repairs would not be enough and that the rehabilitation would be much more expensive than had been thought.

Graciela Moreno, director of the National Theater, estimates that the restoration project will cost about 550 million colones, although some experts say that the price may be incalculable since some of the materials cannot be replaced. No matter what the tab, the Costa Rican people have rallied around their government in its effort to save this national treasure. From street vendors to university professors, citizens interviewed in San Jose expressed their willingness to contribute to the restoration effort.

Several members of the Chamber of Deputies (the national legislature) contributed a million colones each from funds originally designated for other purposes. The Commission for the Quincentennial Celebration of the Discovery of America has donated U.S. $250 million to the cause and the Organization of American States (OAS) has contributed U.S. $30,000. The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (National Insurance Institute) has offered 10 million colones and La Nacion newspaper raised 500,000 colones. Even foreign institutions have responded to the call for...