The Cultural Association “Crear en Libertad” (Creating in Freedom) will celebrate 30 years of cultural work with the 25th edition of its annual programme in Asunción from 24 to 29 September 2026. The event will bring together artists from Paraguay, Brazil and Spain, alongside Paraguayan artists who have developed their careers abroad.
The programme will combine performances, creative laboratories, and workshops about dance and contemporary artistic practice. Among the Paraguayan artists participating from abroad is Jiva Velázquez, who is linked to Argentina’s Teatro Colón.
Performances from Paraguay, Brazil and Spain
The performance programme will feature a mix of established works and new creations from local and international artists. Among the scheduled performances are REINDY, by Elenco Alas Abiertas, and TRÍO 360°, by Compañía de Danza Bethania Joaquinho. Valdemir de Oliveira will present UTERA-MACAIA, while Spain’s OLOUY will bring BLACK to the programme.
Brazilian artists IFÁ and Wilson Junior will also premiere Galinhas Velhas. The programme will additionally feature works selected through the festival’s open call for local creators. The local call remains open until 10 September at 23:59. The organisation aims at Paraguayan companies, collectives, ensembles and independent choreographers, as well as creators residing in Paraguay, who have premiered at least two works. Up to two works will be selected for the 25th edition. Each selected proposal will receive ₲1.5 million (approximately US$253), as well as professional photography and video documentation.
A week of creation and experimentation
One of the central features of this year’s programme is the Intermittent Creative Workshops, a series of workshops and creative laboratories that will culminate in public presentations. The programme includes Territorios Otros, a workshop and creative laboratory led by Hugo Rojas. Other proposals include Boi de Quilombo, Danza, Ancestralidad y Escena, with Wilson Junior, and Carimbó, raíz, ritmo y rueda amazônica, led by Bruno Munduruku.
Participants can also explore Procesos Creativos Heurísticos Híbridos with Valdemir de Oliveira, as well as Cultura Hip Hop y la tradición radical negra en América Latina, with IFÁ. The initiative places artistic creation alongside research, cultural memory and exchange, allowing participants to explore dance beyond conventional performance formats.
Dance, memory and cultural exchange
Alongside performances and workshops, Crear en Libertad will host discussions examining the relationship between dance, culture, research and memory. The programme includes YPY: Danza y espiritualidad de los pueblos originarios del Paraguay, a proposal by the Asociación Cultural Crear en Libertad for the International Dance Council, developed as part of UNESCO-Paraguay’s Participation Projects.
A conversation will also examine Crear en Libertad’s contributions to dance theatre between 1996 and 2002. Another programme highlight is TANGARA, connected to research by Alejandra Díaz as part of the Professional Master’s Degree in Dance at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). Together, these activities reflect Crear en Libertad’s broader focus on artistic development, research and connections between creators from Paraguay and other parts of Latin America and beyond.
How to take part
Most activities will take place at the Asunción’s Port Cultural Centre and the Teatro de las Américas of the Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano (CCPA). Performances and activities open to the public will be free of charge, subject to venue capacity. Workshops and laboratories will require prior registration. Details about schedules, venues, registration requirements and the local creators’ open call are available through Crear en Libertad’s official website.
The 25th edition is supported by Fundación Itaú, FONDEC, CCPA, the Centro Cultural de España en Asunción, AECID, the National Culture System and Brazil’s Política Nacional Aldir Blanc de Fomento da Cultura, among other institutions and organisations. For three decades, the Cultural Association Crear en Libertad has worked to promote cultural development in Paraguay. The non-profit organisation focuses on defending the diversity of cultural expressions while supporting artistic creation and training.
Also read: Watch 10 Free Films With The 17th European Cinema Cycle In Asunción.
