"Guarania": Play Reconstructs Origins of Paraguayan Music Genre and Life of José Asunción Flores

A new theatrical work, "Guarania," is set to bring the story of Paraguayan composer José Asunción Flores and the birth of the iconic musical genre to the stage. Written and directed by Nelson de Santaní and performed by La Parada Teatro, the production seeks to delve beyond the myth surrounding Flores, focusing on the human, artistic, and intellectual journey that shaped the guarania.

The play traces Flores's life from his childhood in the Chacarita neighborhood to his years in exile in Buenos Aires. It navigates significant periods marked by wars, political tensions, and his persistent quest to forge a distinct musical identity for Paraguay. Key figures in his creative process, such as poet Manuel Ortiz Guerrero, Dalmacia Sanabria, and Carlos Abente, are featured, highlighting their collaboration in the development of this musical movement.

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I was interested in discovering the human being behind the creator of the guarania: the restless child of Chacarita, the young man desperately seeking an identity for Paraguayan music, the man who loved, suffered, was persecuted, knew exile, and never stopped believing in his people.

Director Nelson de Santaní emphasized his intention to present a nuanced portrait of Flores, moving away from a "solemn image of a historical figure" or a "bronze statue." Santaní stated, "I was interested in discovering the human being behind the creator of the guarania: the restless child of Chacarita, the young man desperately seeking an identity for Paraguayan music, the man who loved, suffered, was persecuted, knew exile, and never stopped believing in his people."

"Guarania" is scheduled for two performances: Wednesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 23, at 8:30 p.m. at the Teatro de las Américas, located at José Berges 297 in Asunción. Tickets are priced at G. 50,000, with reservations available via WhatsApp at (0982) 434-150. The play aims to reflect on friendship, artistic creation, and culture's role in memory, identity, and resistance, underscoring the enduring relevance of the guarania in contemporary Paraguay.

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I think we often remember Flores only for his songs, but we forget the enormous human cost behind that creation. Today, when we live in times where memory seems to fade easily, revisiting his story is also asking ourselves what we are doing with the legacy he left us. That was the main motivation for this work.