First Polish Card for a member of Polish community born in Latin America
13.02.2020
“The Polish Card, which has proven a success, and which became available to a wider group of foreigners, should serve Poles across the world. The card is now available to Poles or persons from Latin American countries who feel they have a bond with Polish identity,” highlighted Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk at an official ceremony during which a Brazilian resident received the first Polish Card.
The document was received by Mr Lourival Araujo Filho, a Polish community leader in Brazil, who currently heads the biggest Polish folk group in the country, the Polish Folk Group “Wisła” from Curitiba. He also chairs the patriotic Marshal Józef Piłsudski Society in Curitiba, which was set up in 1936.
The Polish diaspora in Latin America is a community over 2.5 million people. Following last year’s amendment that allows eligible persons from all countries in the world to apply for the Polish Card, Polish community members born in Latin America can now benefit from a possibility of an easier access to Polish culture, science and business. “The descendants of Poles born in Latin America are extremely important to us. They enrich the cultures of the countries they live in by contributing precious Polish values they were brought up with. For many, the Polish Card will meet the expectations of being able to unequivocally confirm their belonging to the Polish nation,” noted Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk. It will be a ticket to the Polish job market and will enable them to seek Polish citizenship.
Close cooperation with the Polish community in Latin America shows how important it is for many of its members to cherish Polish traditions. Last year, the local Polish community made great efforts to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its settlement in Brazil. In July 2019, the 1st Polish Youth Congress in Latin America took place in Curitiba. Another event that sparked major interest of the Polish community in the region was the first edition of the “Poland is in You” programme. The descendants of Poles in Latin America make a significant contribution to the culture, science and economies of the countries they live in.
The Tuesday event held at the Polish Community Centre was also an opportunity to present an exhibition titled “Jejou.” The project was carried out by the Polish Association in Oberá and the Guaraní Mbyá El Chapá community from Argentina’s Misiones province, with the support from the Polish Embassy in Buenos Aires. The exhibition tells a story about a meeting of cultures and the accompanying experiences of Polish migrants and members of the local Indian tribe.
MFA Press Office
Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA