The names may not roll off the tongue to most Americans, however their preeminence inn their fields should not be overlooked. In the field of the arts, the first name that comes to hand is the Cervantes award winning writer and poet  Augusto Roa Bastos. Bastos, who wrote using a mixture of Spanish and his native Guaraní, is considered to be one of the most influential writers to come out of South America.

 His work has influenced modern writers such as Mempo Giardinelli, Isabel Allende, Eraclia Zepeda, Antonio Skarmeta, Saul Ibargoyen and Luisa Valenzuela.

Another famous Icon from Paraguay is the composer and musician Agustín Barrios, whose music has facinated and insirpired listeners for almost a century. The composer John Williiams noted in 1993 that "... as a guitarist/composer, Barrios is the best of the lot, regardless of ear. His music is better formed, it's more poetic, it's more everything! And it's more of all those things in a timeless way. So I think he's a more significant composer than Sor or Guiliani, and more significant composer --- for the guitar --- than Villa-Lobos." Such a powerful tribute from one of Americas best composers is no mean feat, and Williams went on to follow by releasing an album of Barrios’ songs.

The arena in which Paraguayans are most familiar in the modern world is in the field of soccer. The countries’ legendary charismatic goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert is a well known name throughout the soccer world, if not in the States, and is best remembered as the goalkeeper who liked to score goals.  Presently, Paraguay most famous sporting son is Roque Luis Santa Cruz, who is currently playing as a striker with Manchester City. Santa Cruz, who has played in Germany and England, is considered to be one of the great talents currently playing in the English game.

More Articles :

• Culture Of Paraguay
• Famous People From Paraguay
• How Do People In Paraguay Celebrate Christmas ?
• Interesting Facts About Paraguay
• Languages Spoken In Paraguay
• Paraguay Food
• Places To Visit In Paraguay
• Popular Foods In Paraguay