Overview

• Argentina honors July 23 as Día del Payador in memory of the 1884 Paysandú contrapunto won by Gabino Ezeiza.
• The date was proclaimed a national observance in 1992 with inaugural festivities held in 1996.
• Uruguay recognized payada as a cultural heritage in 2010 and Mercosur declared it intangible heritage in 2016.
• This year’s nationwide events feature live contrapunto performances that showcase improvisational skill.
• Payada’s spontaneous verses continue to resonate in modern freestyle rap contests such as Red Bull Batalla Argentina.