[EN] 100 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN BRAZIL AND POLAND

through the Embassy of Brazil in Warsaw

     In 2020, we celebrate the centenary of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Poland.

     In 1918, after 123 years of foreign occupation, Poland proclaimed itself an independent country. The Brazilian government was the first country in Latin America to officially recognize Poland’s right to constitute a sovereign unified state.

     On May 27, 1920, the first Polish diplomatic representative, Ksawery Orlowski, presented credential letters to the then Brazilian President, Epitácio Pessoa, an act that formalized the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. A year later, the Brazilian government sent its first diplomatic representative to Poland, Rinaldo de Lima e Silva.

     Last year, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first significant flows of Polish immigrants to Brazil, in search of better living conditions and freedom. The hospitality, camaraderie and friendliness of the Brazilians were reciprocated with the Poles’ loyalty, honesty, responsibility and hard work.

     Throughout so many migratory waves, the Poles contributed a lot to the development of Brazilian agriculture, industry, science and arts. Today, Brazil, in particular the State of Paraná, is home to the second largest community of Polish descendants abroad, estimated at almost two million people.

     Now, it is Poland’s turn to receive Brazilians, many of them of Polish origin. About three thousand Brazilians are currently studying and working in Poland, most of them highly qualified young people, attracted by the moment of economic progress that Polish society currently enjoys in the European Union.

     Over time, Brazil and Poland have established strong historical and cultural ties, strengthened by the compartment of values such as democracy, market economy, freedom and faith. With the intensification of political dialogue, cooperation between the two countries has been taking place in the most diverse areas, such as trade, defense, education, science, technology, innovation and culture.

     In this context, the Christian faith is an important vector of approximation between Poland and Brazil. By the way, the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries coincides with the centenary of the birth of Pope John Paul II (the reason for this commemorative stamp), as well as the 40th anniversary of the first visit to Brazil of that charismatic Polish pope, so dear to the Brazilian people..

You can purchase this stamp at the Avoengo Philately & Collectibles store by CLICKING HERE