More than 11,000 plates of food, desserts and beverages were served at the Comilona in the Paraguayan department of Alto Paraná. A comilona is an event in Paraguay that gathers cooks to prepare food to sell. The event celebrated its 10th anniversary in Ciudad del Este, and brought together thousands of families in support of Teletón’s rehabilitation services.
The event was held at the Alto Paraná Governor’s Office, and once again positioned itself as Paraguay’s largest gastronomic charity gathering. The Comilona in Alto Paraná contributes to the support of more than 19,000 families across Paraguay.
“This was a true family celebration of solidarity,” said Víctor Ibarrola, Executive Director of the Teletón Foundation. “It not only allowed us to raise funds so that more children can access free, high-quality services, but also strengthened the spirit of unity and commitment to inclusion.”
Growing year after year
The 2026 edition of the Comilona in Alto Paraná reflected the steady growth of the event over the past decade. A comilona is an event in Paraguay that gathers cooks to prepare food to sell. Usually, their goal is to sell food to collect funds for non-profit organisations, in this case Teletón.
One of the main additions was a new area known as the “bosquecito” (little forest). This addition helped expand capacity and improve the overall experience. “This allowed us to welcome more people compared to previous editions, increasing attendance from around 8,500 to approximately 11,000,” explained Blas Verón, General Coordinator of Events.
In Alto Paraná, the event also achieved a 9% increase in fundraising compared to the previous year, highlighting the continued engagement of the community. More than 60 stands took part in the event, alongside a diverse programme that included a children’s play area and live performances by over 20 artists, presenters and influencers who supported the cause voluntarily.
Volunteers at the heart of the event
Behind the scenes, the scale of the Comilona in Alto Paraná relies heavily on collective effort. More than 1,500 volunteers were involved in key logistical roles, ensuring the smooth running of the event throughout the day.
“This is an event made possible thanks to our volunteers,” Verón said. “It is a large-scale operation, but it works because of their commitment.”
Over 500 cooks also contributed, donating both their time and the food served. “They do not just bring the meals, they bring one of the main ingredients, which is solidarity,” he added.
The event also featured performances by the National Police Band of Ciudad del Este, the Minga Porã dance group, the Jeroky Doris González ballet studio, the Itakyry dance ensemble and Samba Groovee, among others. A dedicated children’s area and pet-friendly spaces added to the family-focused atmosphere.
Looking ahead to Asunción
Following the success of Alto Paraná, attention now turns to the Comilona Asunción 2026. This event is scheduled for 10 May at the Association of Retired Bank Employees. “In Asunción, we will have three main areas: a chill zone for a more relaxed experience, a smaller acoustic space, and a dedicated children’s zone where families will find a variety of games,” Verón explained.
Organisers expect to bring together more than 100 food stands and welcome over 15,000 attendees. To accommodate this, seating areas are being expanded to create more space for people to eat, gather and share. They also expect fundraising in Asunción to reflect the growth seen the Comilona in Alto Paraná.
Comilona in Alto Paraná, a shared culture of solidarity
Beyond fundraising, the Comilona in Alto Paraná represents a wider culture of solidarity in Paraguay. Communities come together not only to contribute, but to share a meaningful experience. “Paraguay is a country with a strong sense of solidarity,” Verón said. “The Comilona is where people come together to enjoy, share and help others at the same time.” He summed up the spirit of the event with its slogan: “Full belly, happy heart”.
“We invite people to truly enjoy the country’s largest gastronomic charity event. More than 15,000 people take part, with 500 cooks starting early in the day, offering an incredible variety of food, shaded spaces and different areas for everyone,” he said.
Comilona in Alto Paraná, a celebration for children
The 10th anniversary of the Comilona in Alto Paraná not only highlighted the event’s steady growth, but also reinforced its role as one of Paraguay’s most important expressions of collective solidarity. Thousands of families participating, hundreds of volunteers involved, and strong community engagement. The initiative continues to demonstrate how gastronomy, culture and solidarity can come together to generate real social impact.
As the focus now shifts to the upcoming Asunción edition on 10 May, expectations remain high that the spirit of participation and generosity will continue to grow, ensuring that thousands more children and families across Paraguay benefit from Teletón’s services.
For more information, you can visit the Teletón page on Instagram. You can also visit the La Comilona page on the platform.
