Culture
Devastating wars, as well as periods of
dictatorship and isolation from the outside world, have
left their mark on Paraguay's culture. Several writers
who portrayed the country's troubled history have caused
controversy and many have been exiled. The search for a
national identity has also employed several writers and
poets.
Perhaps the most well-known author, Augusto Roa
Bastos (1917–2005), wrote his works in Spanish mixed
with the Native American language guaraní. As the first
Paraguayan, he was awarded the Spanish Cervantes Prize
in 1989.
-
Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Paraguay, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
The music is mostly European in origin. Most famous
is the popular dance form polca,
which only has the name in common with European polka.
The guaranías dance music
is performed on a kind of Native
American harp. One famous harp player was José Asunción
Flores (1904-1972). Other famous dances are the
canter and the bottle dance, where
the dancers balance the bottles on the head.
Theater performances are given in Spanish and Guarani.
The country's most well-known playwrights are
Spanish-born Josefina Plá (1903-1999).
Paraguay is rich in folk and religious art,
introduced in the 18th century by Jesuit monks. There
are also examples of modern and avant-garde artist
groups.
-
Songaah: List and lyrics of songs related to the country name of Paraguay. Artists and albums are also included.
 2016
October
The president wants to change the constitution
October 31st
President Horacio Cartes confirms long-standing speculation when he announces
that he wants to bring about a constitutional change to be able to run for
re-election in 2018. This will be done by appointing a so-called Constituent
Assembly to rewrite the entire constitution. Carte's supporters within the
Colorado Party have long pushed the issue of amending the Constitution's ban on
re-election for a president. However, another faction within the government
party opposes the idea.
August
Soldiers killed by Marxist guerrillas
August 27th
At least eight soldiers die in an attack that the left-wing guerrilla EPP is
suspected to be behind.
July
Long prison sentences after ground protests
July 11
Eleven landless farm workers are sentenced to between 4 and 30 years in
prison for protests four years earlier when six police officers were killed (see
June 2012). Human rights organizations claim that deficiencies
have occurred in the legal process and five of the defendants have hunger
strikes in protest. Eleven farmworkers were also killed at the 2012 clash, but
the deaths have not been investigated.
June
Jail fire provokes debate
June 10th
A fire in a prison requires the lives of five prisoners and a prison guard,
and leads to a debate about neglected maintenance in the country's overcrowded
prisons.
May
The Minister of Education resigns
May 5th
After a period of extensive student protests, Minister of Education Marta
Lafuente resigns.
January
Action against corruption
January 28
President Cartes orders all public agencies to publish their payrolls since
2003. The purpose is to identify "planilleros" - individuals who get paid for
having political connections to or are related to political leaders (clientelism
and nepotism), without necessarily making any information at all. It has been
commonplace in Paraguay since Stroessner's days (1954–1989) and has been
tolerated by all governments thereafter. However, several corruption scandals,
including in the Supreme Electoral Court (see December 2015),
have recently raised criticism of the phenomenon.
Raid against the Football Association
7 th of January
The Prosecutor's Office orders a raid on Conmebol's headquarters, as part of
the US-led investigation into Fifa (see June and
December 2015).
|