The district of Obligado, known as the Capital of Cooperativism, kicks off this weekend the celebrations of its 114 years since its founding on 25 May 1912 by Argentine landowner Pastor Servando Obligado. The programme includes a religious festival, a civic-military-student parade, sports tournaments and the peculiar 'Hendy Challenge', a foot race in the mud scheduled for 31 May in Puerto Obligado.
Activities begin on Thursday with an inter-municipal sports meet at Club Alemán. On Saturday, from 7 p.m., the Festival in Honour of María Auxiliadora takes place at the Gruta María Auxiliadora, while the inter-neighbourhood championship will be decided at 6 p.m. at the Polideportivo Santa Rita. On Sunday, the Rural Circuit of the Stations 5K and 10K departs from the Paraná Eventos hall at 7 a.m., and the National Motorcycle Gathering happens in Puerto Obligado. At 5 p.m., the image of the Virgin María Auxiliadora will be carried in procession to the Casa de la Cultura.
On the anniversary day, Monday, a civic-military-student parade will travel along Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia Avenue starting at 8 a.m. The district, which covers 471 km² and has 13,606 inhabitants according to the 2022 Census of the National Institute of Statistics (INE), was elevated to district status on 20 May 1955. Its first settlers were German immigrants from southern Brazil, drawn by fertile and cheap land, and the region grew around the Colonias Unidas cooperative (founded in 1953) and the San Blas school (founded in 1951).
In Caacupé, the educational community of Basic School No. 278 'Dr. Raúl Peña', located in the Cabañas company, celebrated on Tuesday its centenary of operation. The event brought together students, teachers, alumni and families, with tributes to former teachers and former students who marked the institution's history. The highlight was the student parade along Gaudioso Núñez Avenue, with pupils carrying a large Paraguayan flag and posters alluding to the centenary, strengthening the sense of belonging and unity between the school and the neighbourhood.