The Italian community in Paraguay will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic with a cultural and gastronomic festival in Asunción. The Festa della Repubblica Italiana will take place on Sunday, 31 May 2026, at Plaza Italia from 11:30 to 18:00. The event will bring together music, food, and traditions for families and visitors.
Organised by the Embassy of Italy in Paraguay and the Scuola Dante Alighieri, the annual celebration commemorates the proclamation of the Italian Republic in 1946. The 2026 edition carries special meaning as Italy marks eight decades since the historic referendum that transformed the country after the Second World War.
A day of Italian culture in Plaza Italia
The event will transform Plaza Italia into a meeting point for Italian culture, gastronomy, and live performances. Organisers have prepared a programme designed for all ages, with artistic presentations, traditional activities, and an Italian food fair featuring more than 20 stands.
Visitors will be able to explore Italian specialities prepared by members of the community and the Dante Alighieri Parents’ Association. The festival also aims to strengthen cultural ties between Paraguay and Italy through music, traditions, and shared experiences. The day will begin with a parade by the Banda Lisa of the Dante Alighieri School, opening the celebrations with a festive atmosphere in one of Asunción’s most symbolic public spaces.
Musicians travelling from Italy for the celebration
One of the highlights of the programme will be the performance by Italian musicians Eugenio Palumbo and Lorenzo Bernardi. The duo will travel from Italy to participate in the celebration with a live performance combining mandolin and guitar. Students from the Scuola Dante Alighieri will also participate throughout the day. Alongside official commemorative activities and cultural presentations linked to Italian traditions.
Italian Republic Day commemorates the referendum held on 2 June 1946. That day, Italian citizens voted through universal suffrage to establish a republic following the fall of fascism and the monarchy. Today, it remains one of Italy’s most important national celebrations and continues to bring together Italian communities around the world. In Paraguay, the annual event has become a tradition that gathers descendants of Italian immigrants, students, and members of the public interested in Italian culture and cuisine.
Also read: Viviana Ruggero: Weaving Italian Heritage Into Paraguay’s Cultural Heart
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