Pilar, the capital city of the Ñeembucú Department will host the Pilar Italian Fest 2025 – Feste e Tradizioni Italiane. The event, organised on 9 October 2025, seeks to rescue and highlight the rich Italian heritage of the city 225 kilometres south of Asunción. This Italianidad profoundly influenced Pilar’s history, architecture, and social identity. The southern-western city of Paraguay is considered one the of areas with the largest presence of Italian descendants in the nation.
The event is hosted by the Santo Tómas Italian School. The Pilar Italian Fest 2025 will be held in front of the city hall, starting at 17:30, and joining is free. The festival is sponsored by the Yacyretá Binational Entity, the Ñeembucú Governor’s Office, and Senatur. The Italian Fest also counts the support of the Association of Italian Descendants in Ñeembucú, and the Municipality of Pilar.
Italian presence in Paraguay
According to government numbers, 41%, or 2.5 million Paraguayan residents, are Italian descendants. The Italians that came to Paraguay were mostly from Sicily, Lombardy, and other northern regions of the country. Apart from Asunción, Italians settled in cities of the Central Department, Concepción, San Pedro, Itapúa, and Ñeembucú.
Apart from the Pilar Italian Fest 2025, you have many other festivals or activities related to Italy in Paraguay. In Asunción, the main point of rally is the Plaza Italia, south of the downtown core. The Festa in Piazza is organised there. The Embassy of Italy in Paraguay also organise activities to promote Italy and its culture.
Pilar Italian Fest 2025 programme
The space in front of the city hall will be specially decorated with lighting in the colours of the Italian flag. Additionally, hundreds of tricolour flags will be on display in the area. A stage will be set to bring the heart of Pilar to life.
The event will have 24 stands with Italian cuisine, art and crafts exhibits, and displays of items related to Italian immigration to the region. Furthermore, there will be traditional dances and music. In addition, Miss Italy Santo Tomás will be chosen from among the students of the host school.
The organisers state that with the Pilar Italian Fest 2025, they wish to honour and pay tribute to their Italian grandparents and great-grandparents who came to the region. Every participant of the organising community wishes Pilar to be recognised and celebrated as the birthplace of the Italian cultural heritage.
The goal for the Pilar Italian Fest 2025 is to become an annual event. The aim is to strengthen the region’s cultural identity, community integration, and tourism promotion.
Pilar, a gem of Southern Paraguay
Pilar is a city of historical and economic importance, strategically nestled in southwestern Paraguay. Its location is defined by the Paraguay River – placing it directly across the border from Argentina. The city is approximately 225 kilometres from the nation’s capital, Asunción. The population is of 34,741 in 2022 according to the government data.
The city’s foundation in 1779 by Pedro Melo de Portugal was rooted in strategic necessity, initially serving as a troop station to regulate traffic along the vital Paraguay River. This river access remains key to its contemporary economy, notably through Puerto Caacupe-mí, a port infrastructure that is a crucial hub for cargo transport serving the southern regions of Paraguay. The manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of the local economy, anchored by the long-established Manufactura de Pilar S.A. textile company, which has been a symbol of industry.
A costanera under construction
Apart from multiple plazas, Pilar has its own Costanera under construction. Like the one in Asunción, the Costanera is a riverfront area famed for offering stunning views of sunsets over the Paraguay River. The federal government and its neighbour Argentina are working on plans to construct a binational bridge in Pilar. The goal is to have a better accessibility in this region on both sides.
The bridge would connect with Colonia Cano and Argentinian Route 9. This road leads to Argentinian Route 11, a major connection leading on one side to Formosa, and Resistencia on the other.
