for learning, having a substantial university population. Across the nation, historically, the city's name is synonymous with academia, scientific & cultural accomplishment. For decades, Villarrica has been a place of unusually heavy European immigration (Spaniards, Italians, French, Germans) compared to its neighboring towns and cities. It also receives immigrants from the middle east (Syrians, Lebanese, Iranians, Palestinian). Among the different social, recreational and cultural institutions are “Club Porvenir Guaireño”, “El Centro Español”, “El Club de Leones” (Lions Club), “Instituto de Cultura Hispánica” (Hispanic Culture Institute), “Teatro Municipal” (Municipal Theatre), “Orquesta de Cámara” (Camara Orchestra), “Escuela Municipal de Danza” (Dance School), “Asociación de Productores de Caña de Azúcar” (Sugar Cane Producers Association), “Liga Guaireña de Fútbol” (Guaira Soccer League) and “Liga Guaireña de Basquetbol” (Guaira Basketball League). The city's main football club is the Guaireña F.C. The city has several radio stations, television cable service and a television station, Channel No. 8. The people from Guaira preserve in their culture some myths and legends of the original natives, such as the myths of pombero, jasy jateré, kurupi, urutau, karau, jakare, among others. Among traditions of European origin, the culture includes horse races, religious festivals such as Crucifix Day, cockfights, bullfights and many dance and dress fashions. Main sights One of the most visited places is the Manuel Ortiz Guerrero Park (named this way in 1936, before it was called Ycua Pyta). The park is located in the north of the city, between the neighborhoods of Ybaroty and San Miguel. Other centers of culture include the “Maestro Fermín López” Municipal Library and Museum, housing personal belongings of Fermín López and Natalicio Talavera; arms and ammunitions from the Chaco War, a collection of Paraguayan coins and bills, as well as other artifacts: native arrows, axes and bows, old furniture, machines, paintings, photographs and pieces of religious art. Gallery People from Villarrica Manuel Ortiz Guerrero Natalicio de María Talavera Efraím Cardozo Helio Vera Juan Natalicio González Alfredo Seiferheld Marcos Zeida Nadia Ferreira - Top Model International and Miss Universe Paraguay 2021 & historic Runner-up Miss Universe 2021 Lia Ashmore - Miss Universe Paraguay 2022 Twin towns Villarrica is twinned with: San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina References External sources Geografía Ilustrada del Paraguay. Tercera Edición. Distribuidora Quevedo de Ediciones. Buenos Aires.1998. Atlas y Geografía de Paraguay y el Mundo. Ediciones India Guapa. Asunción. 1997. Atlas Paraguay. Cartografía Didáctica. Fausto Cultural Ediciones. Enero 2000. Franco Preda,