The Asunción Times Writing Competition 2024 saw a wide range of entries, each one focusing on a unique perspective of what the authors’ considered to be their most favourite place in Asunción.
Featuring everything from parks to bars, from historic buildings to personal memories, if you would like to get to know Asunción better, through the eyes of people who have lived here for most or all of their lives, these are the articles you need to read!
Below we bring you our three winners of The Asunción Times Writing Competition 2024!
First Place: Anna Garcia
Anna Garcia wrote a beautiful piece about her deeply personal favourite place in Asunción, a place full of memories; a special little cinema.
What to say about Anna García? She “secretly appreciates” country music, likes to read books about Greek mythology, has a camera that she promises to use more often, enjoys writing about her interests, and values others based on their movie opinions. She’s majoring in Industrial Engineering at UPTP, is currently indecisive about the career path she wants to follow, but she knows she wishes to improve living conditions for the next generations and those around her.
We asked her what it was like to participate, and how she felt about sharing experiences so personal to her. And we also asked for her favourite quote to share with everyone else!
“As for writing in a contest, it was scary and awkward to know how the article reached many people. There is a certain kind of vulnerability required for any piece of expression that clings, and it receives more exposure if it’s published on the internet. However, recalling those memories encapsulated in the article as well as having the support of friends, some of which are mentioned in it, changed the look on the journey through a well deserved outcome that I can be proud of. Of the piece written, of the stories shared, of the encouraging people, and of the new people met thanks to this competition.”
“Coming back to movies, the thing that started this journey, there is one that can’t go unmentioned when asked about a defining quote. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, in the grand scheme of things, is a coming of age comedy like any other. When looking through the perspective of a side character named Cameron, an overwhelmingly overthinking rule-follower who spends the whole movie counteracting Ferris’ indomitable spirit through worrying, too lost on relating to him without realising by the end, thanks to Ferris’ comically unmatched good luck, Cameron was the one who needed the day off to let go of his worries focusing on the future trying to control it. Dedicated to Cameron’s journey through handling anxiety, Ferris delivers a simple, bright perspective:
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while – you could miss it.
She adds: “Looking forward, there is hope in continuing to share the significance of company, interests, achievements and progress all throughout Paraguay. Encouraging foreigners to excitedly anticipate experiences and the citizens to welcome change.”
Many thanks to Anna for writing such a beautiful article, and congratulations on your win!
Second Place: Luana Bolaños González
Luana Bolaños González wrote a captivating piece about a place in Asunción which inspires her personally, as well as countless others, the Augusto Roa Bastos Library. More than just your average library, Luana expertly explains why “the deep meaning of this library can only be understood by recognising the importance and impact that the legacy of Augusto Roa Bastos left on Paraguayan culture.”
Luana is a 21-year-old medical student at Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Writing has always been a passion of hers, and whilst her focus is on becoming a doctor, she wants to write more often!
We asked her how it felt to participate, and to be a winner. And we also asked for her favourite quote to share with everyone else!
“Recently, I had the honor of winning a prestigious writing competition. Being recognised as a winner has been an incredibly uplifting experience, filling me with pride and motivation. I am truly grateful to the team at Asunción Times for creating a space that celebrates creativity and allows people like me to share our thoughts and stories. Meeting the judges left me dazzled by how admirable they are and their unique vision for supporting writers.”
“A quote that resonates deeply with me comes from Winston Churchill:
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts
“This sentiment reminds me that every step – whether a success or a setback – plays a vital role in shaping who we are. It inspires me to embrace my challenges as a medical student and in life, fueling my aspiration to become a compassionate doctor who makes a difference in people’s lives.”
“I am thankful for the prize from this competition, as it will help cover the surgery for my beloved cat Pompón, who has been diagnosed with patellar luxation. At just six months old, it’s a rare condition for her, but I’m relieved to share that thanks to this opportunity, she already has her surgery scheduled for next week. I appreciate the support of everyone who believed in me, and I’m hopeful for Pompón’s quick recovery.”
“Once again, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the judges and everyone who offered their support throughout this competition. Your encouragement means the world to me!”
Many thanks to Luana for writing such an inspirational article, we hope Pompón recovers quickly, and congratulations on your win!
Third Place: Alberto Pukall
Alberto Pukall wrote an informative piece about how all his favourite places in Asunción have a common thread: “Every corner has a story to tell and a tradition to share… the warmth of its people.”
In his article, Alberto details the places he recommends everyone in Asunción to visit and experience, whether living here, or passing through as a tourist.
We asked Alberto to tell us about himself, what it was like to participate, and how it felt to be a winner. And we also asked for a quote to share with everyone else!
“I’m 19-years-old, and I’ve been passionate about maths and science since I was young. I’ve always been curious about how things work, which led me to want to study engineering. I think this field is perfect for combining my love for numbers and technology.”
“I see myself as a friendly, empathetic person, and I really enjoy helping others. I’m always looking for ways to be useful and support the people around me. In the future, I want to use my knowledge in engineering to contribute to the greater good and make a positive impact on people’s lives. My desire for personal growth and the drive to get better every day are what keep me going.”
“The Asunción Times Writing Competition was a new challenge for me. Looking for something different, I started writing about Asunción, asking my family and friends what they thought about this amazing city. At one point, I thought about giving up – I felt like I couldn’t do it. But the people around me didn’t let me quit, they pushed me to keep going, and I did. When I found out I was one of the top 3 winners, I couldn’t believe it! I was so excited and surprised – I had finally made it.”
I’m always looking for ways to understand how things work because I think every little
discovery can lead us to solutions that make life better for everyone
“I just want to say one last thing: don’t give up on your dreams. The real competition is with
yourself. Don’t let anyone define your limits. Feel free to explore your own boundaries, and
never bow your head to adversity.”
Many thanks to Alberto for writing such a helpful article, and congratulations on your win!
Concluding The Asuncion Times Writing Competition 2024
Thank you to everyone who participated in the The Asunción Times Writing Competition 2024, and again congratulations to all of our winners!
Stay tuned for more competitions in the near future, and even outside of competitions, if you would like to write about something relevant to life in Asunción and Paraguay, just contact us at The Asunción Times!
Congratulations to the winners! And a big thank you to everyone who participated—your efforts made this competition truly special!