The Festival de la Raza has been a cultural tradition in Villarrica for more than four decades. A pre-festival at the Municipal Theater selects talent from across the department for the “Noche Gigante” (Giant Night), where performers of Paraguayan music, dance and other categories compete and perform alongside guest artists. It’s a showcase of the cultural life of a city known for its poets and musicians, such as Manuel Ortiz Guerrero.