The lighting of the Christmas tree marked the beginning of the “Guarania de Navidad”, a celebration of the birth of baby Jesus highlighting the traditions and cultural expressions of Paraguay. Throughout the month of December there will be activities for the whole family in the gardens of the Palacio de López and its surroundings.
“The Christmas tree is already shining! This symbol of unity and hope fills us with pride, with decorations created by more than 150 families. Each detail reflects our culture, highlighting ribbons that form the pentagram of the guarania “India” and the magic of our traditions,” posted on her social networks the first lady, Leticia Ocampos, who led the entire operation.
President Santiago Peña congratulated his wife, the first lady, for her “incredible dedication and effort to make this moment unforgettable.”
The President stressed that the night was illuminated not only by the lights of the tree, but also by the beauty of the Christmas guarania, which filled us with pride and emotion.
“May this unity and festive spirit accompany us throughout the Christmas season!” the president said.
This year, the López Palace Christmas tree, through the elements that are part of popular and traditional crafts, seeks to honor the musical genre of “Guarania” as the sound of the Paraguayan soul.
This cultural expression is a candidate for recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, which will be discussed at the 19th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee, which will take place in Paraguay in early December.
Thus, the renowned Guarania “India”, a masterpiece by its creator José Asunción Flores with verses by Manuel Ortiz Guerrero, a musical piece that achieved unprecedented international significance, was chosen to be the anthem for these festivities.
Through its interpretation and with a complete score that surrounds the tree, and with hand-made musical notes, a recreation of this genre is presented to the public, in order to appreciate and learn more about this musical form so characteristic of our country.
Likewise, the tree is accompanied by another of Paraguay’s most deeply rooted cultural expressions: its crafts.
With Paraguayan basketry, the tree is displayed with spheres made of different plant fibers, symbolising the moment of preparation for the harvest of the fruits and food that the earth offers.
The aim is also to highlight the diversity of national basketry production, highlighting the different types of fibres such as tacuara, ysypo, karandaý, totora and takuapi, which are used to make the baskets used to transport food and which today take on a greater meaning, that of decorating the Christmas tree at the Palacio de López, full of music and culture.
All this handmade production was thanks to the work of more than 150 Paraguayan artisan families and producers par excellence, from localities such as Areguá, Limpio, Emboscada, Itá, Atyra, Tobatí, Altos, Cerrito, Caaguazú, among others.
The Christmas tree is accompanied by the traditional Paraguayan Nativity scene, which is made in large volume by the pottery families of the city of Areguá, surrounded by the straw house, a fundamental symbol of faith and the Christmas festivities of Paraguay.Share:
