AGP Executive Report

Theatre Spotlight: Asunción’s Premios Edda 2026 crowned “Barrunto” as the big winner, taking Best Play plus Best Art Design and Best Director (Jorge Báez), with Lucía Sapena hosting at the Agustín Barrios Theatre of the Centro Paraguayo Japonés. Live Music: British extreme metal legends Carcass will play their first Paraguay show on 30 November 2026 at Absoluto Rock Bar in Asunción. Heritage Update: Ciudad del Este’s San Blas Cathedral restoration is underway after the February fire, with new safety systems and a planned reopening on 3 February 2027. Culture & New Voices: Emerging Paraguayan director Enzo Szarán is set to present “Sobre una cama de rosas” at Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane, blending theatre, music, dance and visual arts. Sports (Paraguay in focus): Team Paraguay hit 20 medals at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games after three more golds, including wins in rowing and golf.

Paraguay–Venezuela Diplomacy: President Santiago Peña met Venezuela’s acting leader Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas to restart diplomatic and consular ties, while the long-running PDVSA–Petropar oil debt still hangs over the talks. Asunción Culture: Paraguayan emerging theatre voice Enzo Szarán, 22, is set to debut “Sobre una cama de rosas” at Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane on Sept. 23, blending theatre, music, dance and visual arts. Ciudad del Este Heritage: San Blas Cathedral restoration began after the February fire, with new safety systems and a planned reopening on Feb. 3, 2027. Live Music (Asunción): British extreme metal legends Carcass will play their first Paraguay show on Nov. 30, 2026 at Absoluto Rock Bar. Local Music Scene: A new dispatch highlights Paraguay’s fast-growing music industry and what’s driving it. Sports (Team Paraguay): Paraguay hit 20 medals at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games after three more golds, including wins in rowing and golf.

Music & Live Shows: British extreme metal legends Carcass will play their first-ever Paraguay show on 30 Nov 2026 at Absoluto Rock Bar in Asunción. Heritage & Restoration: Ciudad del Este’s San Blas Cathedral restoration has started after the February fire, with new safety systems and a planned reopening on 3 Feb 2027. Theatre Spotlight: 22-year-old Paraguayan emerging director Enzo Szarán is shaping a new theatrical language, presenting “Sobre una cama de rosas” at Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane on 23 Sept. Indigenous Culture: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture honored three Aché craft custodians for preserving basketry and traditional knowledge. Sports (Paraguay in focus): Team Paraguay hit 20 medals at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games after three more golds, including wins in artistic skating, rowing, and golf. Regional News (Diplomacy): Paraguay and Venezuela moved toward restoring diplomatic and consular ties during President Santiago Peña’s visit, though the PDVSA oil debt remains unresolved.

Music Spotlight: Punk legend Michale Graves is set to return to Asunción for a major show at Vöudevil Venue on Sunday, Sept. 20, with gates opening at 19:00 and local punk talent joining the bill. Sports & Pride: Paraguay’s Cerro Porteño futsal team extended its dominance, winning the national championship for a 11th straight time and earning a spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores de Futsal. International Games: Team Paraguay hit 20 medals at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games after three new golds, including wins in artistic skating, speed skating, rowing, and golf. Arts & Culture: Visual artist Verónica Melgarejo opened her first solo exhibition, “El Jardín de Beatriz,” in Asunción, exploring nature and memory through paintings, silk works, and installation. Environment (Local Angle): A massive dorados school moved up the Paraná, triggering a dynamic fishing ban in Corrientes to protect the migrating fish.

Indigenous Culture: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture named three Aché women—María Tatúgi, Anselma Mbyvangi and Teresa Karengi—as “Living National Treasures” for preserving basketry and traditional craft knowledge. Live Music: Punk fans in Asunción are gearing up for Michale Graves (ex-Misfits) at Vöudevil Venue on Sept. 20, with gates opening at 19:00 and local punk talent joining the bill. Sports Medals: Team Paraguay hit 20 medals at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games after three more golds on Sept. 18, including wins in artistic skating, speed skating, rowing and women’s golf. Arts & Exhibitions: Visual artist Verónica Melgarejo opened her first solo show, “El Jardín de Beatriz,” in Asunción, exploring nature and memory through paintings, silk pieces and installation. Music Recognition: Paraguayan guitarist Berta Rojas earned three Latin Grammy nominations for “La Huella de las Cuerdas.”

Paraguayan Music Spotlight: Berta Rojas’ latest classical guitar project, La Huella de las Cuerdas, just earned three 2026 Latin Grammy nominations—Best Instrumental Album, Best Contemporary Classical Composition, and Best Recording Package—adding to her prior Latin Grammy wins. World Skate Games Culture: Asunción’s World Skate Games ASU26 medals will be inspired by the city’s historic Galoperas dancers, with the medal design translating their swirling steps into engraved metal lines. Local Art in Asunción: Verónica Melgarejo opened her first solo exhibition, El Jardín de Beatriz, at Miguel Acevedo space in the Manzana de la Rivera cultural center, blending paintings, silk works, and installations on nature and memory (free entry, running through October). Sports & Youth: Paraguay kicked off Santa Fe 2026’s men’s U-19 football tournament with a 2-1 comeback win over Argentina, with goals from Junior Gamarra and Pedro Zarza. Futsal Dominance: Cerro Porteño won Paraguay’s futsal championship for an 11th straight year, taking the final 9-6 overall and securing a spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores de Futsal.

Paraguayan Music: Guitarist Berta Rojas just landed three 2026 Latin Grammy nominations for La Huella de las Cuerdas—Best Instrumental Album, Best Contemporary Classical Composition, and Best Recording Package. Local Sports: Cerro Porteño’s futsal side extended its dominance, winning the national championship for an 11th straight year and securing a spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores de Futsal. Asunción Arts & Culture: A new solo exhibition, El Jardín de Beatriz, opens in Asunción with free entry, exploring nature and memory through paintings, silk works, and installation. World Skate Games ASU26: Organizers unveiled medals inspired by Asunción’s Galoperas dancers, engraving their spins and pathways into the design. Fashion in Paraguay: Casa MOLA Paraguay brings a sustainable fashion networking event to Asunción, with talks and free registration. Football (Regional): Paraguay opened Santa Fe 2026 men’s U-19 action by beating Argentina 2-1. Education (Community): Paraguayan teachers staged mobilizations in Asunción and beyond, demanding higher pay and more education investment.

Youth Football: Paraguay opened the Santa Fe 2026 men’s U-19 tournament with a 2-1 comeback win over Argentina in Rosario, after falling behind early; Junior Gamarra and Pedro Zarza powered the turnaround. Education & Labor: Paraguayan teachers staged mobilizations in Asunción and beyond, rejecting a government pact they say fractures union unity and demanding higher pay and more education investment. Local Sports Spotlight: Paraguay’s U-15 futsal team won the world title on home soil after a thrilling final. Fashion & Culture: Asunción hosts Casa MOLA Paraguay, a sustainable fashion event bringing local designers and students together for talks and networking. Arts & Heritage: Paraguay’s MuCi science museum has been nominated for three international awards. International Business/Politics: UK-based ATOME says it will file a Notice of Dispute and Intent to arbitrate with Paraguay under the UK–Paraguay investment treaty tied to the Villeta low-carbon fertiliser project. Travel & Lifestyle: A guide highlights where Paraguayan passport holders can travel visa-free in 2026, with notes on possible ETAs or pre-registration.

Germany Football Buzz: Jürgen Klopp kicked off his Germany era with a 44-player, two-squad Nations League plan and told fans he wants “positive patriotism,” urging Germans to “reclaim the flag.” Media Drama: Klopp also blasted German media for leaking his first call-ups, calling the leak “pathetic,” and he’s dealing with fallout over Deniz Undav’s omission amid fitness talk. Paraguay in Sports: Paraguay’s U-20 women’s futsal team fell 9-1 to Venezuela in the continental semis race. Paraguay Culture & Fashion: Asunción hosts Casa MOLA Paraguay, a sustainable fashion networking event, while Paraguayans in Japan keep cassava, maize and chipa alive abroad. Arts & Heritage: Gabrovo will host UNESCO’s Crafts and Folk Art sub-network meeting, and Paraguay’s MuCi science museum is nominated for international awards. Business/Investment: ATOME says it will serve a Notice of Dispute and Intent to arbitrate under the UK–Paraguay investment treaty over the Villeta project.

Paraguayan Arts & Culture: The Paraguay Science Museum (MuCi) is a finalist in three categories at the ICOM COMMS Awards 2026, with projects like “Viscosos pero Sabrosos” and “Laboratorio de Chipa” vying for global recognition. Local Fashion & Retail: Inditex opened its first Stradivarius store in Paraguay at Paseo La Galería, bringing its Wave 2.0 concept to Asunción. Music & Performance: BCC’s Barton’s Fine and Performing Arts faculty recital on Sept. 17 spotlights live music and projected artwork, including a return of Agustín Barrios Mangoré’s “La Catedral.” Sports Spotlight: Paraguay crowned U-15 futsal world champions after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Colombia, with Kevin Benítez scoring the winner late in extra time. Entertainment Buzz: Netflix’s “Gandhari” keeps climbing—trending in Paraguay and jumping into the Top 3 most-viewed Netflix original Indian films of 2026. Community & Health: Paraguay’s doctors union reached a preliminary deal for a 2,000,000-guaraní salary increase, potentially lifting a Sept. 21-22 strike.

Fashion & Retail: Inditex’s Stradivarius opened its first Paraguay store in Paseo La Galería, bringing a new Wave 2.0 concept to the mall where Zara and Zara Home have operated since 2016. Arts & Culture: Paraguay’s MuCi (Science Museum) is a finalist in three categories at the ICOM COMMS Awards 2026, including “Viscosos pero Sabrosos,” “Laboratorio de Chipa,” and “Ciencia para Todos.” Sports Spotlight: Paraguay’s U-15 futsal team won the world title after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Colombia in Carmen del Paraná, sealing a perfect six-win run. Local Entertainment: Ahead of the Gran Hermano final, Ángel de Brito said the race between Sol and Yipio shifted toward “parity,” with Uruguay votes tipped to matter. Community & Media: Paraguay-linked audiences also saw global entertainment buzz as Netflix’s “Gandhari” surged in 58 countries, including Paraguay, after mixed reviews. Health & Society: Paraguay’s government reached a preliminary deal with the National Union of Physicians for a 2,000,000-guaraní salary increase, potentially easing a Sept. 21-22 strike.

Paraguay Sports Glory: Paraguay’s U-15 futsal team just won the 2026 world title, beating Colombia 3-2 in extra time in Carmen del Paraná, Itapúa, with Kevin Benítez scoring the winner with 51 seconds left. Local Arts & Music: A faculty recital in Asunción will bring Paraguayan guitar legend Agustín Barrios Mangoré’s “La Catedral” back to life, alongside live performances and projected artwork at Barton’s Fine and Performing Arts event Sept. 17. Health & Community: MedAdvance returned to Paraguay for its first international edition (Sept. 3-5), bringing 121 healthcare and mission leaders from 15 countries to train and plan new global healthcare outreach. Culture & Food Spotlight: Asunción-born chef Guillermo Benítez Cáceres is now Executive Chef in Saudi Arabia, overseeing six restaurants after rising from a music-and-kitchen path that began in Spain. Diplomacy & Tech (Paraguay in the mix): India and MERCOSUR signed a protocol to make electronic certificates of origin legally valid—signed with Paraguay’s ambassador present.

U-15 Futsal Glory: Paraguay’s Albirrojita won the 2026 Fútbol de Salón World Championship at home, beating Colombia 3-2 in extra time, with Kevin Benítez scoring the winner with 51 seconds left. Rally Chile Wrap-Up: Dean Mascarenhas and Gagan Karumbaiah (TSI Racing) finished eighth in WRC3 at Rally Chile Biobío and also grabbed a stage win in Paraguay, capping a tough South American campaign. Chef Spotlight: Asunción-born Guillermo Benítez Cáceres, now Executive Chef at Marriott Riyadh, is behind award-recognized restaurants and credits a life-changing lunch in Spain for his pivot from music to cooking. Local Arts Calendar: Barton’s Fine and Performing Arts faculty recital (Sept. 17) will feature live performances and projected artwork, including a return of Paraguayan guitarist Agustín Barrios Mangoré’s “La Catedral.” Sports at the South American Games: Emmanuel Pompey punched into the boxing semi-finals in the men’s 90kg division, while Paraguay’s Gonzalo Weiler delivered a dominant 5-0 win over Shakquain James. Green Asunción: The Green Asunción project lays out greener transport, more trees, cycle paths, and rainwater management for the capital’s sustainable future.

Paraguay–Taiwan Tech Ties: A Taiwan-Paraguay Technology Forum at Paraguay’s Central Bank put AI front and center, underscoring how Asunción and Taipei are turning diplomatic friendship into real training and collaboration. World Skate Games Spotlight: Two U.S. athletes are fundraising to compete in Asunción—Idaho scooter rider Jacob Roll and Colorado speed skater Zykyrah “Ky” Bess-Reed—highlighting how families and communities are covering costs for international sport. Arts & Culture Calendar: Asunción gets a fresh solo exhibition push as young artist Pheline Dietrich debuts her first show in the city, while Paraguay’s cultural journalism scene opens new doors with the SNC National Cultural Journalism Competition. Local Creative Voices: Emi Báez is bringing Guaraní cooking to millions as a major Paraguay media personality, and a new Asunción “Green City” plan maps greener transport, trees, and rainwater systems. Birdlife Watch: A new Paraguay bird feature spotlights the endangered Chopi Sa’yju, with habitat loss tied to agriculture threatening its fading song.

Paraguayan Arts & Culture: The National Secretariat of Culture (SNC) opened applications for the 2026 National Cultural Journalism Competition, inviting writers and creators across Paraguay to submit work in categories ranging from written cultural journalism to podcasts, documentaries, TV segments, and multimedia projects (deadline: Sept. 30). Local Music & Performance: A faculty recital and art showcase is set for Sept. 17 at the Fine Arts Auditorium, featuring live performances and projected artwork inspired by faculty creativity. Guaraní & Media Spotlight: Emi Báez, a Guaraní-first cooking creator and former TV journalist, is drawing millions with recipes rooted in Paraguayan family tradition. Exhibitions in Asunción: Young German-born artist Pheline Dietrich will present her first solo exhibition in Asunción on Sept. 15 at Arte con Aroma Café. Public Life & Design: Asunción’s “Green Asunción” project lays out greener transport, waste management, more trees, cycle paths, and rainwater systems with MADES and UNDP support. Money & Identity: Paraguay’s Central Bank will unveil redesigned guaraní banknotes on Oct. 5, shifting imagery toward Guaraní culture and regional flora/fauna while keeping all denominations’ value. Sports & National Pride: Team Paraguay’s 341-athlete delegation for the 2026 South American Games was officially flagged at COP headquarters, with Sofía García and Julio Mirena as flag bearers. Community Events: Asunción marks its 15th World Car-Free Day on Sept. 20 with a free 17-km cycling route starting at the Botanical Garden and Zoo.

Cultural Journalism: Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Culture opened applications for the 2026 National Cultural Journalism Competition, with entries accepted until Sept. 30 across written and multimedia categories (including student tracks). Guaraní Arts & Media: Emi Báez, a Guaraní-focused cooking creator with 800,000+ Instagram followers, is spotlighted for turning family recipes into a mainstream digital platform. Fine Arts in Asunción: Young artist Pheline Dietrich (19) prepares her first solo exhibition in Asunción on Sept. 15 at Arte con Aroma Café. Music & Community Event: A faculty recital and art showcase is set for Sept. 17 at a Fine Arts Auditorium, featuring Paraguayan composer Agustín Barrios Mangoré’s “La Catedral.” National Symbols: The Central Bank of Paraguay will unveil redesigned guaraní banknotes on Oct. 5, shifting imagery toward broader Guaraní culture and regional flora and fauna. Sports Spotlight: Team Paraguay’s 341-athlete squad was presented for the 2026 South American Games, with flag bearers Sofía García and speed skater Julio Mirena.