On Sunday, October 6, 2024, the 17th Edition of the World Festival of the Harp was held. The emotional event took place at the Municipal Theatre in Asunción, where the Paraguayan Minister of Culture Adriana Ortiz Semidei presented distinctions to eight well-known Paraguayan harpists, declared Living Treasures of the Nation.
The ceremony was led by the Minister of Culture, who gave the recognitions. The honorees were Felipe Aponte, Ursulina Arias, Walter Rodolfo Basaldúa, Pablo Carreras, Trifón Giménez, Desiderio Larrosa, César Daniel López Vera and Cipriano Riveros Cardozo. Of these, Ursulina Arias, Walter Papi Basaldúa, Desiderio Larrosa, César Daniel López Vera and Cipriano Riveros Cardozo were present.
During her speech, the Minister of Culture highlighted the importance of these musicians in preserving the country’s musical tradition, noting: “Today we pay tribute to great teachers of the Paraguayan Harp as Living Treasures of the Republic of Paraguay. They are a pride for our country and an inspiration for new generations.”
“This festival, which already turns 17, is a manifestation of the safeguarding of Paraguayan culture, and these great masters of art make us dream and make us think that this should continue.”
As usual in each edition of the festival, a prominent harpist was paid tribute, this time being the master Lorenzo Leguizamón, in commemoration of the centenary of his birth.
The 17th World Harp Festival was held from 1 to 6 October and was presented by the National Secretariat of Culture, the National Directorate of Intellectual Property and the Itaú Foundation, once again showing its importance for the promotion and dissemination of traditional Paraguayan music at the international level.
