In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Poles emigrated to many distant parts of the world. Today, the descendants of those immigrants live not only in places like Chicago, which is perhaps the most famous, but also in Brazil, where the Polish community numbers around 1.5 million. Particularly special is Aurea, a municipality and town in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The settlement was founded around 1906 when colonists from Poland, largely from the Złotoryja region, arrived in search of a better life. The town changed its name several times, with its current name, Aurea, adopted in 1944, partly referencing Złotoryja.
Where in Brazil Do People Speak Polish? In This Town, Polish Is Now an Official Language
Today, 90% of the municipality’s residents have Polish roots. Poland is present not only in memories of ancestors and traditions but also in daily life. Signs welcoming visitors, referencing Polish customs, greet people at the entrances to the town, in both Portuguese and Polish. Since 2022, the Polish language has been officially recognized as an administrative language.
It wasn't an easy journey. Aurea gained political independence in 1987, but official business could still only be conducted in Portuguese. In 2022, thanks to the efforts of Fabricio Vicroski (Wichrowski) and support from several organizations (including the Central Representation of the Brazilian-Polish Community, the Polish Language Institute, and the "Wspólnota Polska" Association), Polish was recognized as an official language throughout the entire municipality.
Residents Speak Polish and Feel Polish: "The Language Is Frozen in Time"
Local residents proudly admit they feel Polish, and religion and family traditions are still integral to daily life and a source of connection. Polishness is even felt in the street names, which have Polish-sounding names. Aurea is also a treasure for linguists.
The Polish language that was passed down here is like a peasant dialect from the 19th century. The language has frozen in time. It hasn't developed. In the meantime, things like airplanes came along, but they didn't enter the language. They conjugate the word 'avion,' saying 'I flew on an avion.' They Polish-ize Portuguese words
- explained Ludmila Pawlowski in an interview with Dzień dobry TVN.
An interesting attraction is the annual Festa Nacional de Czarnina—the Czernina (blood soup) Festival. The municipality is home to the Polish Folklore Ensemble "Karolinka" and they also celebrate Polish holidays, including Independence Day (though in Aurea, it falls on September 7). On this day, a grand parade of white and red flags takes to the streets of the town. Additionally, residents organize a Polish Soup Festival. In the Immigrant House, you can admire the tools and equipment brought by the Polish settlers.
There, it’s nostalgic Poland [...] Everything is beautiful and idealized. You can experience true Polish hospitality. It’s not just a cliché like in Poland - it’s alive there
- explained traveler Mateusz Jakubowski in DDTVN.
