Asunción – Paraguay's renowned singer Andrea Valobra shed tears of emotion on Wednesday, May 21st, as she received a touching tribute performance honoring her artistic achievements during the 100th Guarania commemoration event held at the Teatro Municipal Ignacio A. Pane in Asunción. Valobra, who recently garnered international media attention and gained global recognition for her unique stage costume, expressed her gratitude at the tribute, stating, "I thank you on behalf of all artists in the country," and urged them not to give up on their artistic path.
The 'Melancoliaite' Skirt Captivates the World
The costume that recently brought Valobra international fame during her overseas performances was none other than a white skirt embroidered with the lyrics of the Guarania song 'Melancoliaite.' This skirt was handcrafted by artisans Nicole García, Francisca Vera, and Lourdes Medina of the Paraguayan Fundación Princesa Diana (Princess Diana Foundation), earning praise from international media for its originality and beauty.
The tribute performance began with a rendition of 'Nderendápe aju' by the Folk Ensemble of the Asunción Cultural and Artistic Promotion Institute, followed by messages of congratulations and gratitude to the artisans who created the skirt. Sergio Cuquejo, Director of the Municipal Theater, stated, "It makes me very happy and proud that Andrea is conquering the world with her beautiful dress, her projects, and her beautiful voice here in the artists' home." He also hinted at a "very beautiful" project in preparation with Valobra, which will soon be unveiled. This project aims to offer a new interpretation of Paraguayan music with contemporary rhythms, set to coincide with the 'Year of Guarania,' which began with Valobra's version of the national anthem.
A Meaningful Work Born from the 'Telar' Technique
Guillermina López, Design and Production Manager at the Princess Diana Foundation, expressed deep emotion regarding the process of creating Valobra's skirt. "It was truly moving to see the artisans in the workshop embroidering and creating Andrea Valobra's skirt," she said. "Each stitch was an act of love, memory, and strength. They transformed discarded scraps of fabric into a garment that sings, speaks, and embraces." She added that the artisans' names and Guarania lyrics embroidered on the skirt were "like seeing a flower blooming from effort, hope, and solidarity."
This skirt was created using a weaving technique called 'telar,' developed by the foundation's artisans. This technique involves meticulously hand-weaving small pieces of fabric, destined to be discarded as too small for general use, to create a new textile. The skirt incorporated various types of fabric scraps, including ao po'i. The creation of the skirt took a total of two weeks: the first week was dedicated to making the 'telar' fabric and sewing the garment, and the second week focused on embroidering the lyrics of Andrea Valobra's Guarania 'Melancoliaite' and the artisans' signatures. López stated, "More than three women participated in the creation of the skirt, and three artisans attended the event as representatives."
Supporting Women's Self-Sufficiency Through Art
The Princess Diana Foundation has been dedicated to assisting vulnerable women achieve economic self-sufficiency for years. López explained, "We are active in various fields, not only sewing and embroidery but also silkscreen printing, and we have established a workspace within the 'El Buen Pastor' prison to teach women various embroidery techniques."
The foundation actively collaborates with artists. In the past, they have worked with artists like Félix Toranzos and Víctor Beckelmann, and in 2024, they unveiled a collection inspired by the Guarani legend Samu’u. López emphasized, "For us, art and culture are ways to tell our stories and connect with others at the deepest level."
A Tribute Performance That Conveyed Emotion and Hope
At the event, Valobra sang two more songs: the national anthem, as its anniversary fell on Tuesday the 20th, and 'Asunción,' at the audience's request. Valobra shed tears of gratitude, thanking everyone who recognized and encouraged her 20 years of career. She mentioned that artists sometimes feel "a little heartbroken," but what happened with the 'Melancoliaite' skirt felt like healing.
The tribute performance was organized by the Culture and Tourism Directorate of the Asunción City Hall, recognizing Valobra's "valuable social and cultural contribution" and considering that 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Guarania. Andrea Valobra's tribute performance will be remembered as a deeply meaningful event, encompassing not only her outstanding artistic talent but also her efforts to promote the beauty of Paraguayan traditional culture to the world and her social contribution to helping vulnerable women achieve self-sufficiency.
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