Caaguazú Lee 2026 Book Fair Officially Opens with Strong Focus on Reading, Science, and Technology

Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay – The Caaguazú Lee 2026 Book Fair officially launched this week, transforming the "El Cerrito" Closed Colosseum into a vibrant hub for literature, science, and technology. The event drew a large crowd of students, educators, writers, and local authorities, underscoring its significance in the region's cultural calendar.

Governor Marcelo Soto Pavón highlighted the fair's central role in the departmental administration's public policies. He stressed the critical need to cultivate a love for reading among younger generations, particularly in an era dominated by digital screens. "While technology is important, it will never replace the value of the pages of a book," Soto Pavón stated during the opening ceremony.

This year's fair introduces new characters to enhance engagement: Leo, the Book, designed to promote reading, and Doctor Teo Partículas, linked to the scientific and research activities featured in the program. These mascots join Aguara’i, the environmental awareness symbol of Caaguazú.

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While technology is important, it will never replace the value of the pages of a book.

Cayetano Quattrocchi, president of the Paraguayan Chamber of Books (CAPEL), praised the strong student turnout and the growth of the fair, now in its third edition. He noted the increased participation of publishers and booksellers, offering a diverse range of literary works. Quattrocchi emphasized that the goal is not to impose reading but to ignite a passion for it, making books accessible to various audiences and budgets.

The fair, which continues until August 1, promises four days packed with cultural, scientific, and artistic events. Innovations this year include video mapping and a nanosatellite demonstration, aiming to blend traditional literary engagement with modern scientific exploration.

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The challenge is not to impose reading, but to awaken in young people the taste for reading.