A permanent exhibition titled “Volver a Casa: Una Cartografía sensible de Paraguay” (Returning Home: A Sensitive Cartography of Paraguay) opened at the Cultural Center of the Republic of Paraguay in Buenos Aires. The display showcases contemporary, folk, and indigenous art, highlighting the country’s rich multicultural heritage.
The exhibition reflects how Paraguay has shaped its worldview, values, and hopes from its origins to the present day. The pieces on show demonstrate the nation’s artistic evolution and cultural depth.
Ministerial presence and artisan tribute
The Paraguayan Returning Home art exhibition opening ceremony included Adriana Ortiz, the Minister of Culture. In her address, Ortiz paid tribute to the women artisans and artists present.
“You carry the legacy of Paraguay in your hands. How beautiful it is to unite through a single thread, a single weave, which unites nations and today. This great panel that you built together, with your hands, is the reflection of the beautiful unity that we have as sister nations. The ñandutí (traditional Paraguayan lace) is a beautiful symbol and you are heroines who weave that living memory of the cultures that unite us.”
The moving speech underlined the significance of the artisan’s contribution to Paraguay’s cultural identity and international representation.
Diverse Paraguayan art on display
Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Secretariat of Culture, the Paraguayan Institute of Crafts, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the exhibition features textiles, basketry, ceramics, and wood carvings. The works come from renowned craftswomen, artists, and cultural ambassadors from across Paraguay.
Many of the pieces were previously shown at Expo Dubai 2020 and at the CAF’s House of Integration in Asunción. Their permanent installation in Buenos Aires marks a significant step in making Paraguayan art more accessible to a wider international audience. Earlier this year, Guaraní language was making waves at the Buenos Aires Book Fair.
Collaborative textile masterpiece
A notable piece is the “Tejer Raíces” (Weaving Roots) loom. This collaborative work by fourteen Paraguayan women artisans living in Buenos Aires is a communal creation of ñandutí lace. It symbolises art transcending borders and enduring across time and distance. The collaborative nature of the piece highlights the importance of community in preserving traditional arts and crafts.
Cultural preservation and international projection
The exhibition’s opening is part of a series of events dedicated to preserving and promoting Paraguayan cultural heritage in Buenos Aires. The Cultural Center of the Republic of Paraguay is increasingly becoming a vital hub for the display and international projection of Paraguayan art and national identity. The location provides a space for cultural exchange and reinforces Paraguay’s cultural connections with Argentina.
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