Why is Paraguayan Book Day commemorated

Paraguayan Book Day is a special celebration in our national anniversary calendar that takes place every June 25 . This date aims to encourage reading, but also to celebrate the most important works and writers of Uruguayan literature.

How was the Day of the Book born?

The birth of Book Day dates back to June 25, 1612. On that day the first Paraguayan book called "Annals of the discovery, population and conquests of the Río de la Plata" , better known as "Argentina" , was finished; book written by Ruy Díaz de Guzmán.

This book was dated June 25, 1612 and Díaz dedicated it to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno, VII Duke of Medina Sidonia, whose father had been a page. The book brings together the stories about the experience of Ruy Díaz itself, as well as other people who participated in the conquests, explorations and foundations carried out in Paraguay from the River Plate area to that of Santa Fe in the year 1573.

However, the book was published two centuries later, specifically in the year 1836, in Buenos Aires, which is why it was renamed "La Argentina" . The Day of the Book was proclaimed in Paraguay through a resolution of the Ministry of Education and Worship, on June 9, 1980 in commemoration of the date this book was finished writing. For this 2021 the 21st version of this holiday is celebrated.