February 13, 2026, will mark the fifth edition of Fiesta de los Pueblos ((Towns’ celebration) in Encarnación ‘s Costanera. From 17:00 to 22:00, visitors will be able to experience what organisers call Itapúa’s “treasures”. Fiesta de los Pueblos is a celebration of every district within the Itapúa department. Each district presents its own “treasure”, understood as its main attraction and identity marker.
These treasures are shown both during the event itself and as a way of promoting tourism throughout the year, according to Verónica Stefani, departmental secretary of tourism for the Itapúa government. The event is part of a broader strategy to strengthen cooperation between Itapúa and Misiones, with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA ). With more than 20 years of experience in tourism, Stefani spoke with The Asunción Times to explain the concept behind the celebration and to invite the public to attend.
What is Fiesta de los Pueblos?
“Fiesta de los Pueblos is one of several events that form part of this broader plan. Everything that generates pride within a community can be to strengthen cooperation among those communities. For more than three years, we have been working through a process of training and formalising productive partnerships. These are related to cultural products, whether tangible or intangible,” Stefani explains.
In Itapúa, five products were selected: yerba mate, honey, immigrants, chipa and rice. These were later designated as the department’s “treasures.” Itapúa is the first department in Paraguay to formally recognise products in this way. Yerba mate, for example, is the signature product of the Bella Vista district, which is also the national capital of yerba mate. Beyond consumption, the focus is on showcasing production processes and developing tourism around yerba mate in the district. The same approach applies to each departmental treasure.
“Fiesta de los Pueblos was created as a way to present these products that generate pride among communities and producers. It is not only about production. We are also talking about everything that surrounds these products: tourism circuits, services and gastronomy,” Stefani adds. In Coronel Bogado, the national capital of chipa, visitors can take part in the experience of preparing their own chipa. The district is also developing the Chipatour, a circuit that allows visitors to try different varieties of chipa throughout the area.
A way of showcasing pride in local production
Fiesta de los Pueblos is organised around three main components: a stage with artistic performances, a gastronomic area, and the presentation of the treasures through a “treasure rally”. The artistic program is directly linked to the treasures, while the gastronomic sector offers both treasure-based dishes and other local food options.
“Before we knew that we would host the World Rally Championship, we already had our own rally. Using a map, we encourage visitors to go through every stand and ask questions. In return, they receive a sticker. Once they complete the set of stickers, they receive a prize,” Stefani explains.
“This encourages visitors to interact with exhibitors. It is not simply an observational event, but an interactive one.” This year, organisers asked exhibitors to focus on experiences rather than static displays.
“We want them to show visitors what they can experience in the districts where these treasures are from. We also ask them to explain complementary activities. For example, although Nueva Alborada’s treasure is honey, exhibitors should tell visitors what else they can do in the district,” she says.
The goals of Fiesta de los Pueblos
“The goal of Fiesta de los Pueblos is to present these treasures to a massive audience. That is why, since the second edition, we have scheduled the event for the Friday before the final weekend of Carnival. It is not a fixed date, but it allows us to take advantage of the large number of people in the Costanera,” Stefani explains.
“This way, we can promote the treasures and everything they offer throughout the year. More than selling products, our objective is to showcase them.” Treasure producers hold monthly meetings to discuss production methods, innovations, challenges and processes. Educational tours also take place to generate new ideas for tourism experiences linked to each treasure.
“Through these initiatives, we aim to strengthen pride and economic revitalisation through tourism. We also seek to help people remain in their communities, including rural areas, by diversifying and expanding local economies,” Stefani says.
“Fiesta de los Pueblos is part of a larger project with JICA that runs until 2027. At the same time, it is a programme within the departmental government’s tourism strategy, which guarantees that the event will continue at least until 2030, with the participation of private entities, the Itapúa Tourism Council and local producers.”
A celebration of culture
On stage, visitors will see performances by the Santa Rosa Band and the Municipal Ballet of Encarnación. Santa Rosa is a traditional Paraguayan band that is a national treasure. The programme also includes the presentation of a book by a Mbyá Guaraní author, among other cultural activities.
“We already have several consolidated treasures, but we are working to expand the list to include more districts,” Stefani says. “Our aim is to broaden the reach of departmental tourism and economic growth. We also hope to include again the Misiones department in future editions.”
“ Fiesta de los Pueblos is a space where communities have the opportunity to show what they have to offer. It allows visitors and tourists to realise that there is more to see than Encarnación’s Carnival , and encourages them to explore these districts and learn more about their people and traditions.”, Stefani concludes.
By bringing together music, gastronomy, identity and territory in a single public space, Fiesta de los Pueblos has positioned itself as more than a cultural event. It has become a platform for visibility, connection and long-term development. Fiesta de los Pueblos is where local pride transforms into a shared experience for locals and visitors alike.
