Nueva Germania celebrates 139 years, marked by Bernhard Förster's failed dream

Nueva Germania, a district in Paraguay's San Pedro department, marked its 139th anniversary on August 23, 2026, with a series of events including a student parade, the inauguration of public works, cultural activities, and a popular festival. The town, known as the Yerba Mate Capital, also commemorates its unique and controversial founding history. Established in 1887 by German Dr. Bernhard Förster, who harbored antisemitic views and aimed to create an Aryan colony in the New World, the project faltered due to economic hardship, geographical isolation, and difficult living conditions. Förster, disillusioned, died by suicide in 1889. The Paraguayan government had granted Förster extensive land with the condition of settling 140 European families within two years. Despite the challenging legacy, the community today celebrates its identity and progress. The anniversary events featured national, departmental, and municipal authorities, alongside residents showcasing both Paraguayan and German traditional attire.

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Nueva Germania, the failed dream of the antisemite Dr. Bernhard Förster