Guitarist Agustín Pío Barrios is known globally as “Mangoré”, who is shown on Paraguay’s 50,000 guaraní banknote, and the Bicentennial House of Music “Agustín Pío Barrios” will commemorate Mangoré’s 82nd death anniversary with a free screening. The event will feature the documentary Santo de la Guitarra (Saint of the Guitar): La historia fantástica de Agustín Barrios Mangoré (The Fantastic Story of Agustín Barrios Mangoré). The free screening will take place on Friday, 7 August 2026, at 19:00 in Asunción.
The screening honours the musician whose work continues to shape the classical guitar repertoire. Organised by the Bicentennial House of Music, part of the Cultural Centre of the Republic El Cabildo, the activity is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Directorate of Cultural Relations and Tourism and the organisation Guitarras del Corazón.
A lasting musical legacy
Born in San Juan Bautista, Misiones, in 1885, Barrios is widely regarded as Paraguay’s greatest classical musician. He composed more than 300 works, blending European traditions with Paraguayan and Latin American musical influences. His compositions remain staples of concert programmes and conservatoire curricula around the world. Among his best-known works are La Catedral, Danza Paraguaya, Las Abejas, and Julia Florida. More than eight decades after his death, leading classical guitarists continue to perform these pieces on international stages.
Barrios died on 7 August 1944 in San Salvador, El Salvador, where he spent his final years teaching and performing. Paraguay commemorates the anniversary each year through concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural activities celebrating his contribution to the nation’s identity.
A journey through Mangoré’s life
The film was directed by Carlos Salcedo Centurión and produced by the Centro de Proyectos Barrios Mangoré. The 120-minute documentary explores the guitarist’s life, career, and enduring influence. The film follows his journey through Paraguay, El Salvador, and other countries across the Americas and Europe.
The production combines archival photographs, historical documents and previously unpublished material with interviews featuring researchers, former students and musicians. Its soundtrack includes original recordings by Mangoré alongside performances by acclaimed guitarists Cayo Sila Godoy, Felipe Sosa, Richard Stover and Lito Barrios.
Released after nearly a decade of research, the documentary was the first feature-length film dedicated entirely to Barrios’ life and work. It has since reached audiences at international cultural events and film festivals, helping introduce his story to new generations.
Preserving Paraguay’s cultural heritage
The screening will take place at the Bicentennial House of Music “Agustín Pío Barrios”, a heritage house dedicated to preserving Paraguay’s musical history. The venue, located at Cerro Corá 848, regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts and educational activities. By presenting the documentary on the anniversary of Barrios’ death, the organisers aim to celebrate the legacy of a musician whose compositions continue to represent Paraguay worldwide. Admission is free, and the screening begins at 19:00 on Friday, 7 August 2026.
