Paraguay has long been a land of opportunity. A place where people welcome you with open arms. After the war, the country needed more immigrants to repopulate the nation. Over time, people from Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Korea, and Japan came to Paraguay to start all over again. The National Festival of Immigrants, held in the Department of Itapúa, celebrates what these communities have brought to the country.
Coronel Bogado, home of the famous chipa, will host the National Festival of Immigrants for the 17th time this year. This city of approximately 22,000 people has long embraced its past, based on the arrival of foreigners from all over the world. Formerly Ka’i Puente, Coronel Bogado welcomed Polish, Ukrainians, and Belarusians, mainly between the 1890s and the 1930s. While the Slavic community has its own festival, the Japanese community also have some festivals and celebrations here in Paraguay. One is the Nihon Matsuri, a traditional Japanese festival in Asunción, and the Natsubon, a summer celebration of Japanese culture in Yguazú.
National Festival of Immigrants activities
The National Festival of Immigrants will feature two days of dance and music and national and international gastronomy. Traditional crafts from different foreign communities will be displayed. The festival celebrates a vibrant mix of cultures, highlighting Central, Eastern European, and East Asian traditions alongside Paraguayan culture. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience diverse performances, learn about different customs, and enjoy a rich tapestry of cultural exchange and culinary delights from around the world and Paraguay.
During the National Festival of Immigrants, a Queen is elected. Last year, it was Eliana Miller, who represented the Czech community of Paraguay. The vice-queen, Yanina Pleva, represented the Ukrainian community.
National Festival of Immigrants sponsors
The organisation of the National Festival of Immigrants would not be possible without sponsors. The event, gaining popularity in the southern part of the country, is sponsored this year by the local Toyota dealership. Many other smaller businesses are helping the event’s organiser hoping to increase and boost the tourism industry in this part of the Department of Itapúa.
How to attend
The National Festival of Immigrants is held at the office of the Association of Immigrants and Slavic Descendants (AIDE) in Paraguay, in Coronel Bogado. It is on National Route Blás Garay, the main road in the city. Tickets can be bought at the site entrance on May 31st and June 1st. It costs Gs. 10,000 per day per person, which is less than two dollars.
Where: Ruta Nacional Blás Garay, Coronel Bogado, Itapúa, Paraguay
When: Saturday May 31 (6 – 11 PM) and June 1 (9 AM – 5 PM)
Cost: Gs. 10,000
For more information, check AIDE on Instagram.
