DistantNews
Support us
Faith and tradition open second day of Ovecha Rague Festival
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡พ Paraguay /Culture & Society

Faith and tradition open second day of Ovecha Rague Festival

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The 35th edition of the Ovecha Rague Festival in San Miguel, Misiones, began its second day with a religious procession and a folkloric mass.
  • Artisans showcased traditional wool crafts, with prices for ponchos ranging from G. 350,000 to G. 400,000.
  • The festival continues with a traditional breakfast, an allegorical parade, and a central gala on June 13.

The second day of the 35th Ovecha Rague Festival, celebrating music and crafts, commenced in San Miguel, Misiones, with a vibrant procession of sacred images around the San Miguel Arcรกngel church. This traditional festival, themed "Spinning faith, history, and tradition," began with a "walk of faith," where patron saint images from various communities paraded through the town, reinforcing local identity and devotion.

Following the procession, a folkloric mass and the "Memoria Viva" ceremony took place, entirely in Guaranรญ. This segment included a moving tribute to veterans of the Chaco War, honoring their legacy and shared history. The artistic program continued on the church plaza with traditional music and dance, before attendees enjoyed a Creole lunch featuring regional specialties.

Simultaneously, wool artisans opened their stalls, offering handmade garments. Sonia Palma, a participating artisan, expressed optimism about sales, stating, "We are slowly setting up our stands, hoping visitors will come to see our work and, of course, buy our products." She highlighted that over its 35 years, the festival has become a crucial platform, elevating the recognition and value of local wool work nationally and internationally. Prices for wool items vary, with ponchos costing between G. 350,000 and G. 400,000, pure wool "vichu" at G. 400,000, and caps and scarves starting at G. 100,000.

The festival's central day, June 13, will feature a "Dawn of Flavors" with a traditional Misiones breakfast, including mbeju and chipa asador. The main event at 10:30 AM will include an allegorical parade and awards for those dedicated to the wool industry. The 35th Ovecha Rague Festival's Central Gala is scheduled for 8:00 PM.

We are slowly setting up our stands, hoping visitors will come to see our work and, of course, buy our products.

โ€” Sonia PalmaA participating artisan describing the artisans' expectations for sales at the festival.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.