Recuerdos de Ypacaraí

When you immerse yourself in *Recuerdos de Ypacaraí*, you encounter a melody that evokes landscapes and deep feelings. The music, born from the inspiration of Demetrio Ortiz in 1948 while remembering a past love in Córdoba, came to life with the lyrics by Zulema De Mirkin two years later in Buenos Aires. The story behind the composition, as related by Ortiz himself, is inspired by a fleeting encounter with a young woman passionate about singing on the shores of Lake Ypacaraí, an encounter that was cut short by the Civil War of '47. This piece, originally presented in 1951, became a bridge to the music of Paraguay, making known both the country's sound and the beauty of its lake and namesake city.

The transcendence of *Recuerdos de Ypacaraí* is manifested in the incredible number of artists who have made it their own over time. From figures like Jorge Cafrune and Mercedes Sosa to interpretations in other languages by Julio Iglesias, who recorded it in French, Italian, and Portuguese, the song demonstrated its global reach. It has also been covered by Caetano Veloso, Jorge Drexler, Ivete Sangalo, and many others, each bringing their own nuance to this guarania. In 1971, the first Ypacaraí Lake Festival was celebrated, an event that paid homage to Demetrio Ortiz, recognizing his legacy through this work. The word *kuñataĩ*, present in the lyrics, reminds us of its Guarani origin, meaning "young lady" or "girl."