HANANE DJOUA
Doha
Ambassador of Paraguay to Qatar HE José Agüero Ávila’s profound connection with music reveals much about how personal passions can shape and enrich one’s professional life. For Agüero Ávila, music isn’t just a hobby, but it’s an integral part of his identity and diplomatic approach.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar Tribune, HE José Agüero Ávila shared his profound connection with music and how it has influenced his life and diplomatic career. His journey with music began in his childhood and continues to be a source of solace, cultural expression, and social connection.
Ambassador Agüero Ávila’s love for music was nurtured from a young age.
“I play the guitar and started taking guitar classes when I was a kid,” he recalls. Encouraged by his parents to explore diverse interests, he not only pursued music but also learned foreign languages and practiced sports. At the age of six, he began with popular guitar lessons and later explored classical guitar. His musical education extended to the violin and technical music classes, fueling his passion further.
Music became a refuge for him, offering relaxation and a means of self-expression.
“After a year, I began singing songs and playing music by myself. That’s how it all started,” he reflects.
While his musical talent may not directly link to his diplomatic journey, Ambassador Agüero Ávila believes that music has played a crucial role in connecting with people.
“Music is a universal language; whether you understand the lyrics or not, it can be felt by everyone,” he explains.
Playing the guitar at family gatherings honed his social skills, an essential element in his role as a diplomat.
The ambassador often showcases Paraguayan culture through music.
“In Paraguay, we have a traditional rhythm called Guarania, which I play. The guitar is very popular in Paraguay for traditional songs, so everywhere I go, I showcase a bit of Paraguayan culture by playing our traditional and representative songs. It’s a piece of heritage that I carry with me everywhere,” he says proudly.
Despite his busy schedule, Ambassador Agüero Ávila continues to play the guitar, albeit at a basic intermediate level. He wishes for more time to improve his skills and occasionally experiments with the piano, using his guitar knowledge.
“During my guitar classes at the national music institute in Paraguay, I would play the piano during breaks. I can play the piano somewhat, though not professionally, having learned it by myself,” he shares.
Music’s universality helps him connect with diverse cultures.
“When I travel or gather with people, playing my guitar and singing songs bridges cultures and connects people. They appreciate the music, whether they understand it or not,” he notes.
Ambassador Agüero Ávila has used music as a tool for cultural diplomacy. In the 2016 festival held in Katara, Doha, he brought well-known artists from Paraguay to showcase their talents. “Although I wasn’t playing, my knowledge of music helped me conceptualize the event and suggest what the artists should play. This experience showed me that music helps connect with people in a formal way,” he explains.
His musical journey is also a tribute to his heritage. His grandfather fought in the Chaco War of Paraguay against Bolivia from 1932 to 1935. Encouraged by his mother, he learned songs related to that period.
In 1998, a year before his grandfather passed away, he played a poignant song related to the war on a TV show, which deeply moved his grandfather. “I felt I honoured him by playing that song publicly during his last year,” he remembers.
With his extensive musical knowledge, Ambassador Agüero Ávila can play various kinds of songs, including Arabic.
“If I listen to a song and like it, I can play it on my guitar. I think Qatari songs are mainly played with the oud, which is similar to the guitar. Though I don’t know how to play the oud, I could learn. I’ve listened to many Qatari songs at festivals and enjoyed them,” he says.
Despite the differences in musical styles, he finds similarities in the melodies of Qatari and Paraguayan music, as both convey deep, profound feelings.
