On 26 February, the Festival Internacional de Cuerdas (International Strings Festival) opens in Hohenau, in the department of Itapúa. Now with its 18th edition, the festival has become a heartfelt and dedicated space for classical guitar. Unique in the region, it offers free nightly concerts throughout the event, each day beginning at 20:30.
Beyond the concerts, the Strings Festival also provides an opportunity for students to learn directly from master guitarists from around the world. Participants can pay a fee that includes accommodation, meals, and four days of intensive classes. The first concert night is dedicated to these students, giving them the stage to showcase their skills and what they have learned. To learn more about this distinctive event, The Asunción Times speaks with organiser Vito Krüger from Hohenau.
What is the Strings Festival?
Vito Krüger is a guitarist and cultural manager who currently works for the Municipality of Hohenau as Head of Culture and Tourism. However, he describes himself first and foremost as an artist and guitarist.
“The Strings Festival was born on February 23, 2007. It came as a way to create a space for classical guitar in the interior of the country. That first edition was almost utopian and featured only national artists. In later editions, international musicians joined us, and with each year the level grew,” Vito explains.
“In the third edition, in 2009, the Guitar Campus was created. For four days, the international artists who perform in the evening also give workshops and educational talks. It is open to experienced guitarists, young musicians, and anyone who wants to learn. That makes it a unique event, not only in Paraguay but in the region.”
Hohenau is located 43 kilometres from Encarnación, the departmental capital, 402 kilometres from Asunción, and 188 kilometres from Ciudad del Este.
“It was both a test and a challenge to hold classical guitar concerts in the interior. Hohenau’s location, almost at the centre of these major cities, helped us greatly. After the success of the first edition, we even had the opportunity to organise an event in San Juan Bautista, the hometown of the famous Paraguayan guitarist Agustín Pío Barrios “Mangoré”. At that time, thanks to the international artists present, the idea of structured teaching sessions for students truly took shape.”
The 2026 edition
“At the Strings Festival, all concerts are free. We have three concert nights. The first takes place in the hotel park where the students and teachers are staying. It is a special occasion because the students are the stars. We provide them with everything they need, and as it is an outdoor concert, people can enjoy a drink while listening to classical guitar.”
The following nights, known as gala nights, will take place at Hohenau’s Agrodynamics auditorium.
“On the second night, Eduardo Larrosa from Corrientes, Argentina, will open the concert. He will be followed by Andrea Zurita from Salta. The Mbaraka Trio from Asunción will close Friday’s performance. On Saturday, a guitar and cello duo will open the evening, followed by Sebastián Pompilio from Buenos Aires. Finally, our invited star from France, Gabriel Bianco, will close the festival.”
“For us, having a musician like him brings great joy and pride. It shows that the Strings Festival is doing things the right way. At the same time, it carries responsibility, as he performs in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. Bianco was the one who reached out to us, following recommendations from Yamandu Costa and Berta Rojas.”
The Strings Festival´s growth
In the tenth edition of the Strings Festival, Berta Rojas performed. According to Vito, although the event had already hosted renowned artists, her presence marked a turning point.
“For us, it was a defining moment. We constantly work to bring the best artists possible. Many visitors, however, especially look forward to the Friday and Saturday gala concerts. I have received several proposals to move the Strings Festival to Asunción. But I believe the magic of this event lies precisely in taking place outside the capital. We have managed to decentralise classical guitar. A professional festival with 18 years of history in Hohenau makes us very proud. Its location in the interior is part of what makes it special.”
This year, a growing number of children and teenagers are participating in the campus. “That truly motivates me. Seeing a new generation of guitarists with fresh faces is inspiring. It is also wonderful to see returning participants year after year. For us, the Festival has become a meeting point for guitarists. While classical guitar remains central, we are always open to other string instruments and sounds, such as electric guitar, jazz guitar, or requinto.”
What lies ahead
“What sets us apart from other festivals is the retreat-like atmosphere. We are surrounded by nature and even some exotic animals. We live together for four days, and that shared experience creates strong bonds. I also believe the Strings Festival has put Hohenau on the map. Some years ago, Berta Rojas told me never to stop organising it, because it helps people discover Hohenau. Many international musicians and even non-guitarists now know about Hohenau thanks to the Festival.”
Ultimately, the International Strings Festival represents far more than a series of concerts. The festival stands as a cultural bridge connecting generations, territories, and artistic traditions through the shared language of music. By bringing world-class performers and students together in Paraguay’s interior, the festival reinforces the idea that artistic excellence can flourish beyond major urban centres.
The International Strings Festival not only nurtures emerging talent but also strengthens cultural identity and international exchange. Each edition, therefore, becomes both a celebration of the classical guitar and a reminder that music has the power to unite communities, preserve heritage, and project Paraguay’s cultural voice worldwide.
