Asunción, Agencia IP.- Paraguayan First Lady Leticia Ocampos celebrated Paraguay’s National Day at the World Expo in Osaka, leading an emotional tribute to the Paraguayan woman, described as «strong, brave, and resilient.»
«Today, the heart of Paraguay shone in Japan. Thank you @LetiOcamposP for leading this tribute to our kuña guapa (hardworking women) with such pride and sensitivity at Expo Osaka 2025,« President Santiago Peña expressed on his social media.
During last Monday’s celebration of Paraguay’s National Day at the Expo, the First Lady highlighted the crucial role of Paraguayan women throughout the country’s history.
The event’s central message revolved around «The Power of Women in Paraguay,» acknowledging their historical and contemporary roles—from the fight for visibility and rights to their cultural and social impact.
In the words of the First Lady: «We want to tell the world who the Paraguayan woman is, what her legacy was in the most difficult moments of our history, and how she continues to lead transformative processes today.»
Las Residentas: A symbol of strength and patriotism
The narrative axis of Kuña Guapa was inspired by Las Residentas — the women who, during the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870), left their homes to accompany the Paraguayan army, assisting with medical and agricultural work and even fighting on the front lines. Their heroism proved essential during the years of national reconstruction after the devastating war, in which Paraguay is estimated to have lost nearly 90% of its male population.
Between 1868 and 1910, these women took on the monumental task of rebuilding the nation, permanently shaping the country’s history.
The tribute to these women goes beyond remembrance — it takes the form of a living artistic expression. Through an emotional, aesthetic, and cultural production, a high-fashion artistic parade will be presented, where dancer-models — moving to the rhythm of guarania (recently declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO) — will wear garments made with traditional Paraguayan textiles.
This performance will convey the story of Las Residentas and the legacy of resilience, beauty, and power that defines the Paraguayan woman.
An intimate space to connect and share culture
The event was carefully organized as a refined and intimate experience, where every detail — from the musical setting to the choice of fabrics and dances — expressed the soul of the Paraguayan woman. It also served as an ideal platform to strengthen ties with international representatives, artists, social leaders, and women’s empowerment advocates, promoting cultural exchange and raising Paraguay’s profile on the global stage.
Culture as a universal language
In addition to the tribute to Las Residentas, Kuña Guapa underscores the power of art and culture as tools of diplomacy and national representation. Every dress in the fashion show, every melody played, and every word spoken revealed unique aspects of Paraguayan identity—its ancestral traditions, the strength of the Guaraní language, the elegance of its embroidery, and the depth of its history.
About Expo Osaka
Expo Osaka serves as a global showcase of Paraguay’s value under the concept of «Ikigai« — the reason for being — aligning with the Government’s goal of positioning Paraguay as a reliable destination for trade, investment, and tourism.
Paraguay’s participation in this platform represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen bilateral trade with Japan and attract investment. 2023 Paraguay’s exports to Japan reached USD 50 million, while imports exceeded USD 100 million.
Expected advances in the Paraguay-Japan relationship following the Expo include opening new markets for Paraguayan products, signing agreements for the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, cooperation on the bioceanic corridor, and promoting carbon credit initiatives.
Other prospects include opening the Japanese market to Paraguayan beef, granting visa exemptions for ordinary passports, and inviting trade missions to visit Paraguay.