Here are 10 things you might not have known about Paraguay. Here's 20.
What neither mentions is Paraguay's greatest gift to the world - Agustin Barrios, the best composer for the classical guitar ever. Here's an article on him. Some brave souls have transcribed some of his music. And here, with clips, is my favourite album of his.
Come on Paraguay!
I don't think you are taking World Cup issues with due gravity. The government and many more are banking on this to show that England and the English - and we invented the game - are now up there as serious world league players instead of so-so middle rankers. Judging by this, all we can presently claim is that after years of Blair's relentless modernisation, we are now the world's leading country for museums:
"Leading figures from prestigious cultural institutions came together for the first time yesterday to give Gordon Brown, the chancellor, a 'tap on the shoulder' to remind him of the importance of culture to the nation. . .
"The report contains a flurry of statistics showing that public appreciation of the arts is at a high, with 79 per cent of the population agreeing that cultural projects should receive public funding; that 85 per cent of overseas visitors come to Britain for its museums and galleries; that music contributes nearly £5bn to the economy; and that in 2002, Britain exported cultural goods to the value of $8.5bn, more than the US or China."
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a13309d6-f754-11da-a566-0000779e2340.html
Well done, Tony!
Posted by: Bob B | June 10, 2006 at 12:36 PM