To honour 100 years of the Guarania music genre, Asunción will host a stunning concert featuring 20 Japanese harpists. This celebration of Paraguay’s musical heritage will be hosted at the historic Ignacio A. Pane Municipal Theatre on August 13.
The visiting ensemble comprises students from a harp academy based in Tokyo. The academy was founded by Paraguayan harpist and cultural ambassador Enrique Carrera and his wife, Japanese harpist Arisa Matsuki. The event is held under the banner “Paraguay to Nihon Kokoro wo hitotsu ni, meaning “Paraguay and Japan united by one heart”. The musical celebration in Asunción aims to strengthen cultural ties between the two nations through the universal language of music.
Japanese harpists, and “Arpalandia”
Enrique Carrera, who performed during Paraguay’s National Day at Expo Osaka 2025, announced that this concert will be a unique opportunity to showcase the mutual appreciation of the Paraguayan harp, affectionately nicknamed “Arpalandia” by the Japanese visitors, within Paraguay itself.
The programme will feature variety of pieces, blending traditional Japanese and Paraguayan music, as well as international compositions. Professional harpists, already recognised in Japan, will interpret the works. “They are very excited to perform in Paraguay, a country they call Arpalandia,” Carrera says.
The Japanese audience at Expo Osaka has demonstrated great enthusiasm for the Paraguayan harp. In fact, they noted its resemblance to the koto, a traditional Japanese horizontal harp. The clear, bright tone of the Paraguayan harp and the intricate ñandutí lacework, another emblematic symbol of Paraguayan culture, captivated visitors and helped foster greater cultural exchange.
Expo Osaka 2025: a cultural showcase with global impact
The Paraguayan pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 has emerged as one of the event’s cultural highlights, combining tradition with modernity. The display showcases the harp’s artistry, the delicate ñandutí textiles, the country’s rich biodiversity, local cuisine, and investment opportunities, drawing keen interest from the global audience.
Expo Osaka 2025 hosts participants from over 150 countries. It offers Paraguay a prestigious platform to share its cultural wealth and deepen ties with the global community. The collaboration between Paraguayan and Japanese musicians at this milestone concert underscores the enduring friendship and shared values between the two nations.
Read more: Paraguay and Japan Forge Strategic Alliance
