The Government of Paraguay recently declared 2025 as the “National Year of Guarania”, in commemoration of the centenary of the creation of the first guarania, “Jejuí”, composed by maestro José Asunción Flores. The measure was made official through Presidential Decree No. 3399 and contemplates the formation of a National Interinstitutional Commission to organise the celebrations.
The Guarania, recognised as Cultural Heritage of the Nation by Law No. 4072/2010 and declared in 2024 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is considered a symbol of identity of the Paraguayan people. In this context, the designation of 2025 as its commemorative year seeks to pay tribute to its legacy and promote its dissemination both nationally and internationally.
The National Interinstitutional Commission will be made up of various State entities, including the Presidency of the Republic, the Ministry of Education and Science, the National Secretariat of Culture, the National Secretariat of Tourism and the National Symphony Orchestra, among others. Coordination will be in charge of the National Secretariat of Culture, which will lead the planning of commemorative activities throughout the year.
The decree establishes that participating institutions must collaborate in the execution of events, the dissemination of the musical genre and the promotion of its teaching in different cultural and educational settings. Concerts, exhibitions and other initiatives are planned to highlight the importance of Guarania in the history and cultural heritage of Paraguay.
A government statement said: “With this declaration, the Government seeks to strengthen actions for the preservation and dissemination of Guarania, promoting its teaching, interpretation and projection in different cultural and educational spaces.”
