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The extraordinary true tale of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay
What you need to know before your trail
Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option…until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.
Travel Guide
Paraguay
The Recycled Orchestra of Cateura
An orchestra composed of children from Asunción, Paraguay[1] who play musical instruments made from scrap materials collected from Asunción’s Cateura landfill. It was formed in 2012 and has already performed internationally with Stevie Wonder and the American heavy-metal bandsMetallica and Megadeth.
In 2013, The Recycled Orchestra received a Prince Claus Award, given to “individuals, groups and organisations whose cultural actions have a positive impact on the development of their societies”.
According to the award,
[It is] a youth orchestra that is transforming lives. It is unique in its ingenious use of humble local resources and a beacon of pride and hope for the local community … Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados Cateura is honoured for bringing music and joy to many people; for their innovative and communal collaboration in using the resources at hand to create possibilities and transcend their difficult circumstances; for engendering self-esteem, community pride and social cohesion through musical expression; and for showing that culture is a human necessity and that material poverty need not be an obstacle to a life rich in culture
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay
Destination : Paraguay Author/Guide: Susan Hood
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