Launch of the 39th edition of the Gaucho Homeland Festival

Tacuarembó announced a new edition of one of the country's most emblematic cultural events, dedicated to honoring the traditions and way of life of the gaucho, a fundamental figure in the construction of Uruguayan identity. This year's theme is "Gaucho Attire: Symbol of Identity and Tradition ," focusing on clothing as a cultural and heritage expression.

For nine days, the department will offer a program that immerses visitors in Creole culture, with activities including equestrian competitions, rodeos, folk dance contests, craft exhibitions, traditional cuisine, and top-notch musical performances. The program aims to combine tradition, entertainment, and community participation.

During the official presentation, Tourism Minister Pablo Menoni highlighted the collaboration between the country's main productive sectors. He noted that the event showcases the contribution of agriculture from its historical and cultural perspective, while simultaneously strengthening tourism as an economic driver by promoting authentic experiences that contribute to the destination's international standing.

For his part, the mayor of Tacuarembó, Wilson Ezquerra, underscored the heritage value of the celebration, highlighting its role in the recovery and preservation of traditional values. He also emphasized the importance of transmitting these cultural expressions to new generations through a historical reenactment that evokes rural life at the beginning of the 20th century.

The central focus of the event will be the competition between traditionalist societies, which recreate scenes from the period up to 1920 and compete for the Grand Prize Patria Gaucha. This year's edition will feature twelve top-tier societies, nine invited societies, and a third tier comprised of visiting groups, for a total of thirty gaucho societies. This competitive aspect is one of the main attractions and a significant contribution to the preservation of gaucho traditions.

The president of the Organizing Committee, Hugo Pereda, presented the complete program, which includes national competitions in folk dances, leatherwork, and traditional cuisine, in addition to the traditional rodeos and horsemanship events at the "Don Homero Formoso" arena. There will also be exhibitions of traditional silverware and activities designed for audiences of all ages.

The “Miguel Ángel Ortiz” stage will host the musical performances, featuring national and international artists from various genres. Confirmed acts include Ke Personajes, Karina “La Princesita”, Destino San Javier, Campedrinos, Lucas Sugo, Gerardo Pedrozo, La Penúltima, Rodrigo Tapari, Cumbia Club, The La Planta, Copla Alta, and El Chacho Ramos. As part of the opening ceremony, the traditional Periconazo will take place, with more than 200 couples dancing in the arena.

Established as a true living museum, the event transcends the festival format to become a collective expression of memory, identity, and belonging. The celebration reaffirms its contribution to cultural preservation and tourism promotion in the region, positioning Tacuarembó as a benchmark of Uruguayan Creole heritage.