La Guarania

The Conmebol Convention Center and the Cultural Center of the Port of Asunción have been selected for their combination of modernity, history and accessibility. These iconic locations in Asunción provide the ideal setting, reflecting the vibrant spirit of Paraguay.

El nombre fue propuesto por el mismo Flores luego de leer el poema Canto a la raza (1910) de Guillermo Molinas Rolón, en el cual se utiliza el nuevo término, 2 con el que hace alusión a la región donde vivían los guaraníes.

The story

How was Guarania created?

1917

The Police Band

José Asunción Flores joins the Paraguayan Police Band as a euphonium.
He questions why the best band in the country does not perform Paraguayan music, marking the beginning of a journey that would change the musical history of Paraguay.

1923

First compositions

Flores makes up Manuel Gondra, an instrumental polka dedicated to her godfather.
He began to search popular traditions for elements that would better reflect the melancholic and reflective character of the Paraguayan.

1924

First musical experiments

Take the polka Ma'erápa Reikuaase by Rogelio Recalde and rewrites it at a slower pace, 6 by 8.
Nicolino Pellegrini, director of the band, supports the experiment and tests it with the group.
This experiment lays the foundation for what Guarania would be.

1925

Premiere of Jejuí

In January, the piece Jejuí is performed by German musicians in Asunción, receiving praise from the public and President Eligio Ayala, who declares: “True Paraguayan music has just been born”.
Premiere pieces such as Arribeño Resay (lyrics by Rigoberto Fontano Meza) and Ñasaindýpe (verses by Félix Fernández) at the Municipal Theater.
While the popular public applauds, it faces criticism from the intellectual elite.

1925

The name Guarania is born

Master Delfín Chamorro suggests the name Guarania, inspired by a poem by Guillermo Molinas Rolón, connecting the new genre with the Guaraní cultural essence.

1928

Collaboration with Ortiz Guerrero

He began his collaboration with the poet Manuel Ortiz Guerrero.
Together they create emblematic works such as India, which transcend borders and conquer national and international audiences.

Later Years: The Consolidation of a Legacy

Guarania is established as an authentically Paraguayan musical genre, reflecting the soul and spirit of the Paraguayan people.
Flores demonstrates that music is not only art, but a vehicle for building and preserving

News: Guarania as a national symbol

This experiment lays the foundation for what Guarania would be.
Considered a voice that has accompanied the Paraguayan people in their struggles and hopes, Guarania remains a cultural icon of Asunción and Paraguay.

José Asunción Flores (1904-1972)

Creator of the Guarania

“The Guarania belongs to my people, it was written for and by my people”

Born in the humble La Chacarita neighborhood of Asunción, José Asunción Flores was the son of a washerwoman and a guitarist. From an early age, he showed musical talent, joining the Police Band at the age of 12, where he learned theory, music, and various instruments.

In 1922, he composed his first work, Manuel Gondra, and in 1925 he created Guarania, a musical genre that reflected the Paraguayan soul, inspired by polka arrangements Maerãpa Reikuaase. His first Guarania, Jejúi, was followed by emblematic pieces such as India, Arribeño Resay and Ka'aty. He collaborated with Manuel Ortiz Guerrero, who wrote the lyrics of famous works such as India, Panambi Vera and Ne Rendápe Aju.

During the Chaco War (1932-1935), Flores enlisted as a combatant, while still composing. His work includes symphonies and songs such as Nde Ratypykua, Kerasy and Ñane Aramboha. In 1944, the government declared India and Cerro Corá as official music of Paraguay.

In 1949, he rejected the “National Order of Merit” in protest against the murder of student Mariano Roque Alonso, making him an enemy of the Alfredo Stroessner regime. He lived in exile in Buenos Aires until his death in 1972. His remains were repatriated in 1991 and rest in Asunción, together with his friend Ortiz Guerrero.
‍
Flores left a legacy that transcends the musical: Guarania is a symbol of the identity, art and struggle of the Paraguayan people.

Listen to José Asunción Flores' Guaranias here:

Listen on Spotify Listen on YouTube

Outstanding Guarania composers

In addition to José Asunción Flores, creator of the genre, several composers have been fundamental to the development and enrichment of Guarania, each contributing their vision, sensitivity and talent:

Epifanio Méndez Fleitas

Multifaceted creator and politician, Méndez Fleitas was a passionate defender of Paraguayan culture. His music and writings reflect his struggle to preserve national identity and his love for Guarania.

Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo

A key figure in the Paraguayan repertoire, Mauricio created compositions that combine delicate melodies and lyrics full of depth, leaving a valuable cultural legacy.

Maneco Galeano

Socially committed singer-songwriter whose musical legacy is steeped in messages of justice and hope. His contribution to the Guarania included pieces that connect profoundly with the people.

Eladio Martínez

Singer and composer who dedicated his work to highlighting the beauty of the Paraguayan landscape and traditions. His artistic sensibility positioned him as one of the great exponents of the genre.

Emigdio Ayala Báez

Renowned for his compositions full of melancholy and romanticism, such as the famous My Nights Without You, which capture the essence of human emotions and the connection with the terroir.

Agustín Barboza

With a warm voice and a passion for spreading Paraguayan music, Barboza was a cultural ambassador who brought Guarania to international stages. His work is characterized by deep lyricism and an emotional connection with Paraguayan roots.

Florentín Giménez

Considered one of the most prolific Paraguayan composers, Florentín merged popular music with academic elements, giving Guarania a more sophisticated nuance. He was a prominent orchestra director and promoter of national music.

Demetrio Ortiz

Author of the iconic Memories of Ypacaraí, a Guarania that became an anthem of nostalgia and love, recognized worldwide. His work consolidated Guarania as a genre with universal reach.

Herminio Giménez

A classically trained and patriotic musician, he used the Guarania to exalt national values. His work reflects a quest to integrate tradition with musical innovation.

La Guarania: A Legacy Seeking Global Recognition

The Candidacy Path

Since 2019, Guarania, created by teacher José Asunción Flores, has been the subject of a joint effort between the National Secretariat of Culture, the Municipality of Asunción, the A Puro Canto Foundation, Ricardo Flecha and various sectors of civil society. These efforts gave their first fruits in 2020, when it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation, marking the beginning of a path towards its national and international projection and its application to UNESCO.

In 2022, the preparation of the application dossier began, led by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and with the valuable contribution of key figures present today at this event. 2023 was a crucial year: the candidacy was officially presented under the title “Guarania, the sound of the Paraguayan soul”.

Nineteenth meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

The next big moment will be in December of this year, when the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee meets for its nineteenth session, which will take place in Paraguay. This historic event will coincide with the commemoration of the centenary of the creation of the Guarania.

To be included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity it will not only be a recognition of the cultural value of Guarania, but also an opportunity to highlight the richness and diversity of Paraguay's cultural expressions on the global stage. La Guarania, as the country's soundtrack, deserves this place.

A Campaign for the Paraguayan Soul

In the framework of the centenary, we launched the campaign “Guarania: Sound of the Paraguayan Soul/100 Years”, developed in collaboration with MÍTIC. This campaign has as its symbol the Paraguayan guitar rosette, a decorative element that surrounds the mouth of the instrument. The rosette, in addition to embellishing the guitar, represents the source from which Guarania's melodies emerge, symbolizing the delicacy and art that nourish this musical genre.

This campaign encourages the spread of Guarania as the true expression of the Paraguayan soul. Because when the Guarania sounds, Paraguay speaks.

Terms and Conditions

The information contained on this website is provided by the country hosting the session and does not engage the responsibility of UNESCO.