For Paraguayans, Independence Day is not just an official date on the calendar. For the entire country, it is one of the most emotional events of the year, when cities transform into centers of patriotic celebration.
From the very first days of May, Paraguayan flags and national symbols appear throughout the streets, schools begin preparing children for the festivities, and city centers fill with marching music and parade rehearsals.
Together with our readers, we witness the celebration of the 215th anniversary of Paraguay’s Independence Day in the southern city of Encarnación.
The main event takes place at the Civic Center Sambadrome — the famous sambadrome of Encarnación. Usually associated with grand carnivals, in May it becomes the stage for a large patriotic parade. The sambadrome is considered one of the largest in the region and accommodates thousands of spectators.
It is here that the traditional march of schools, kindergartens, technical colleges, and universities takes place, with more than 18,000 participants this year. For young people, taking part in the parade is a true honor. Each educational institution has its own uniform: some appear in classic white shirts and dark-blue blazers, others in military-style attire emphasizing discipline and sharp lines, all complemented by Paraguay’s national colors — red, white, and blue.
Young children from kindergartens march carrying small flags and flowers, high school students hold large banners representing their schools, while technical college students showcase professional uniforms — medical, technical, or спортивне attire.
During the parade, not only students can be seen. Military personnel, police officers, rescue services, sports clubs, and cultural organizations also march in the columns. Orchestras perform patriotic marches, drummers set the rhythm, and the stands are completely filled with families who come to support their children.
As far as the eye can see, national symbols wave proudly. For many Paraguayans, this celebration is deeply personal: parents wait for hours just to see a few minutes of their child marching through the sambadrome.
These parades carry profound historical meaning. They are connected to the event the country celebrates over two days — May 14 and 15. It was during the night of May 14–15, 1811, in the capital city of Asunción, that the revolution began, leading to Paraguay’s liberation from Spanish rule. May 14 is considered the beginning of the independence movement, while May 15 marks the official proclamation of independence. That is why both dates became national holidays.
In Paraguay, these days are known as Fiestas Patrias — patriotic celebrations. Children and young people are the main participants in the festivities. Through the parades, the country symbolically passes its history on to the new generation. Schools prepare in advance with history lessons, marching rehearsals, and patriotic song competitions.
A special atmosphere fills the center of Encarnación. Main streets are closed for festive processions, houses and cafés are decorated with flags, and concerts and dance performances take place in city squares. In the evening, people gather along the waterfront promenade, where the city glows in the colors of the national flag. The air is filled with the aromas of traditional foods such as chipa and sopa paraguaya, accompanied by the sounds of live music.
For tourists, Independence Day in Encarnación is an opportunity to experience the real Paraguay without tourist decorations. Not official speeches, but children in uniform, proud parents in the stands, school orchestras, and a parade of thousands create a sincere feeling of unity that is deeply felt here. It is no surprise that almost every household displays the national flag during these days, as if proudly saying: “I am Paraguayan!”
Every year, Paraguay demonstrates that Independence Day is not only a remembrance of 1811. It is the day when the entire nation feels like one big family.
Author: Tetyana Bigdan
Photo: from the archive of Tetyana Bigdan