North Raleigh Today

The Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a musical group from Paraguay, is set to perform at Pullen Park on Saturday, October 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages, with donations accepted. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the orchestra members and see their unique instruments crafted from recycled materials sourced from a local landfill.

The orchestra comprises young musicians from Cateura, an impoverished community built around a landfill. Favio Chávez, a music teacher and environmental engineer, founded the group. He collaborated with local residents to create instruments using discarded items such as oil cans, wooden pallets, and pipes. For example, violins are made from old cans, cellos from oil drums, and flutes from water pipes.

The Recycled Orchestra has gained international recognition for its ability to produce beautiful music from trash. Their story was highlighted in the documentary "Landfill Harmonic," which helped bring their message of hope and resilience to a global audience. The orchestra's tours worldwide aim to raise awareness about environmental issues and demonstrate the power of creativity and determination.

This initiative not only instills pride and purpose in its members but also serves as a reminder of the potential to discover beauty and opportunity in unexpected places.