International Guitar Festival honors Agustín Barrios Mangoré in his hometown

The International Guitar Festival Agustín Barrios officially commenced in San Juan Bautista, Misiones, the birthplace of the renowned Paraguayan guitarist Agustín Pío Barrios Mangoré. The two-day event aims to celebrate his enduring legacy through a program rich in music, culture, and emotion, gathering prominent national and international guitarists.

The festival's opening featured a conference discussing its objectives and scope. Javier Acosta, one of the festival's coordinators and artists, alongside Vito Krüger and Juan Vera, shared the vision behind the initiative. The goal is to elevate San Juan Bautista as an international guitar hub and extend Mangoré's legacy.

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We did a discussion and a space for reflection on the next step we must take: to move from organizing only concerts to developing international festivals that bring together artists from different countries and give greater visibility to Paraguayan guitar.

Acosta emphasized the transition from organizing concerts to developing international festivals. "Our challenge is to build a bridge between that international prestige and the cultural wealth we have here," he stated, highlighting the desire of guitarists and music lovers worldwide to visit the "city of Mangoré."

Following the conference, attendees participated in a historical tour of San Juan Bautista, guided by students from the Ha Che Valle Conservatory of Music. This tour showcased the cultural richness, history, and emblematic sites that define the identity of Mangoré's hometown. The festival seeks to create a lasting, annual event, a true guitar celebration where Paraguayan and international artists can connect, share experiences, and foster mutual growth.

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Agustín Barrios is a recognized figure worldwide. Our challenge is to build a bridge between that international prestige and the cultural wealth we have here. There are many guitarists, artists, and music lovers who want to know the city of Mangoré, explore its history, and experience being in San Juan Bautista.