As the lunar calendar turns, communities around the world prepare to welcome the Lunar New Year 2026. This celebration is one of the most ancient and significant in East Asian culture. In Paraguay, this tradition has found a place within the multicultural fabric of cities such as Asunción, Ciudad del Este and Encarnación. Families, cultural organisations, Taiwanese and Chinese communities mark the occasion with festivities and rituals that reflect both ancestral heritage and contemporary life.
While the celebration is global in scope, in Paraguay it carries an additional layer of meaning due to the presence of Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants. The later with more presence in Paraguayan society, due to Paraguay´s longstanding diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan).
What the Lunar New Year 2026 means
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (Chūn Jié) marks the beginning the new year. This according to the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Celebrations begin on the first day of the lunar year´s first month and traditionally last for 15 days, concluding with the Lantern festival.
Lunar New Year 2026 starts on 17 February, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse. This is the combination of the horse, one of the twelve zodiac animals, with the element of fire. In Chinese tradition, the horse symbolises energy, freedom, movement and the pursuit of new horizons. When coupled with fire it is associated with passion, transformation and dynamic growth.
The celebration is rich in customs meant to bring prosperity, health and good fortune. Families gather for reunion dinners, decorate homes with red lanterns and ornaments to ward off misfortune. They exchange hongbao (red envelopes with money), set off firecrackers and perform lion and dragon dances. Red is always present in their culture and celebrations. This colour is associated with good omens and scares away negativity.
Chinese communities in Paraguay in these celebrations visit their relatives and usually have small family dinners between them, sometimes inviting Paraguayans and other citizens to join. However, in some cultural centres, dances and traditions are performed.
Immigration and community roots
The presence of Chinese culture in Paraguay has historical roots. A notable wave of immigration from Taiwan began in the 1960s. This was facilitated by close diplomatic relations between Paraguay and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of people of Chinese descent now live in Paraguay.
This community has established roots in major urban centres like Asunción, Ciudad del Este and Encarnación. Many of these Chinese immigrants work in the commercial sector, with a big presence, for example, in the commercial district of Ciudad del Este. There, Mandarin can be commonly heard.
In Asunción, many of them are living in the Mercado 4 area, also in the commercial sector. In Encarnación, the first waves of immigrants lived in the Lower Zone, dedicated aswell to the commercial sector. Now, after the relocation due to the rise of the Paraná river, many shops have Chinese names in the commercial district. Of course, maintaining traditions passed down trough generations.
Lunar New Year 2026 events
On 1 March, there will be a celebration of the Lunar New Year 2026 at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in Ciudad del Este. On the other hand, in Asunción, there will be a celebration of the Lunar New Year also at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple on 8 March.
Furthermore, in Asunción the New Year will also be celebrated on 16 and 17 of February at HuiShin restaurant. All of them with free access for everyone interested in attending.
Paraguay´s unique diplomatic connection with Taiwan
Paraguay´s ties to Taiwan go beyond cultural exchange. The Republic of China (Taiwan) established official diplomatic relations in 1957. This makes Paraguay one of the few countries in the world and the only in South America to recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. Paraguay hosts an embassy in Taipei. Taiwan, on the other hand, maintains an embassy in Asunción and a consulate in Ciudad del Este.
This longstanding friendship is reflected in collaboration across cultural, educational and economic spheres. Paraguayan officials and Taiwanese counterparts often emphasise mutual respect and shared values. This with interaction ranging from cultural programmes to trade and investment cooperation. Proof of this is the Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP) in Asunción and the existent student exchange programmes to Taiwan.
Lunar New Year: a celebration of culture and friendship
For Paraguay´s Taiwanese and Chinese communities, Lunar New Year is not only a moment to honour tradition. It is also to celebrate identity, family and belonging far from ancestral homelands. Also, to reaffirm cultural roots, share heritage with new generations and offer Paraguayans of all origins a glimpse into one of the world´s most enduring and vibrant festivals.
As communities gather in 2026 to mark the year of the Fire Horse, the celebration serves as a reminder. A reminder of how cultural diversity enriches Paraguayan society and culture. Also, how immigration shaped, shapes and will shape the country´s future, with the preservation and the spreading of long-standing cultural traditions, even from abroad, like the Lunar New Year.
