Emiliano R. Fernández

When one approaches the work of Emiliano Fernández, the first thing that resonates is that deep connection with the Paraguayan feeling. It's not just about verses or melodies, but about a voice that managed to capture the essence of his land and his people. His creations, many of them written in that particular *jopara* —that mix of Guaraní and Spanish so characteristic of us—, managed to touch intimate chords, making his words and songs immediately recognizable and familiar. It's as if he had the gift of translating the soul of his people into poetry and music.

His experience as a soldier in the Chaco War (1932–1935) marked a before and after. Amidst the tension of battles, in the brief respites between clashes, Fernández found inspiration to compose. His poems from that era, born in the heat of combat, not only reflected the harshness of the conflict but also instilled a spirit of struggle and hope in his comrades. It was in those moments of sacrifice, as in the battle of Nanawa, where he demonstrated a valor that earned him the nickname "Olive-green Tyrtäus," an echo of the Spartan poet, a recognition of his ability to inspire through his verses.