Paraguay's 'Alfaritos': Clay figures show devotion to coach Gustavo Alfaro

A small clay figure, dubbed 'Alfarito,' has become the latest symbol of the fervent admiration for Gustavo Alfaro, the coach of Paraguay's national football team, the Albirroja. Standing 30 centimeters tall, the figures serve as both decorative pieces and piggy banks, capturing the essence of the Argentine coach who has guided Paraguay back to the World Cup after a 16-year absence.

The idea for 'Alfaritos' emerged from a casual conversation among friends, according to Paraguayan artisan David Chun, who conceived the creation. "We were with a friend and my wife, talking about how the least rejected person in Paraguay would be Professor Alfaro, and we came up with an idea to represent him," Chun told EFE. He emphasized that the project was less about business and more about honoring the 63-year-old coach, who has inadvertently sparked an "Alfaromanía" among Paraguayan fans.

In Paraguay, Alfaro is affectionately known not only as "the professor" of the national team but also as "papá guasu," a term blending Spanish and Guaraní that signifies his role as a great leader. He took the helm of the Albirroja during a period of poor results and successfully steered the team toward World Cup qualification, securing one of South America's direct berths despite a shaky start to the qualifiers. "Alfaro gave us back the hope of participating in the World Cup," Chun stated, recalling the team's inspiring qualifying campaign, which included victories over powerhouses like Brazil and Argentina on home soil.

The creation of each 'Alfarito' blends Paraguay's rich tradition, deeply rooted in its Guaraní heritage, with modern production methods. A graphic designer creates the original 3D molds, ensuring consistency across the pieces. Craftsman Ramón Veloso then uses black clay, allowing the figures to dehydrate before careful demolding. The pieces are sun-dried for several days before being fired for 24 hours in a traditional wood-fired kiln. Producing a batch of 100 'Alfaritos' takes about five to seven days, with additional time needed if they are painted.