An issue of Polska magazine devoted entirely to Polish settlements in Argentina. The north-eastern province of Argentina, Misiones, is described in detail, as well as the issue of Polish clusters with Apostoles at the forefront. The sources of migration to Argentina are recalled, as well as the very process of settling this area. The text is richly illustrated with photographs of Polish settlements in Argentina (Source: "Polska", Warsaw 1938, R: 4, no. 10, after: Jagiellonian Digital Library).

A modernised reading of the text

40 years of Polish settlement in Argentina.

Misiones is the north-eastern province of Argentina. It cuts like a wedge between Paraguay and Brazil. Approximately 15-20 000 Poles live in Misiones. It is now 40 years since the first Polish colony was established in this part of Argentina. The pioneering efforts of our settlers have gained the general recognition of Argentine society and authorities. From here, it is worth learning more about the living and working conditions and the achievements of our distant compatriots on hospitable Argentine soil. MISIONES! The name itself tells us that this was once the area of the missionaries' civilising work.

The original inhabitants of this semi-exotic land were red-skinned Indians. In the mid-17th century, the Jesuits arrived in the area, establishing settlements, including Apostoles, the centre of concentration for Poles in Misiones. They built schools, churches and civilised the native Indians. After the expulsion of the Jesuits, both Apostoles (named after the apostles Peter and Paul) and other centres of civilisation declined, while the Paraguayan-Argentine-Brazilian War (1820-1842) depopulated the area completely. The brick buildings erected by the Jesuits were burnt down or destroyed. Today, all that remains of them are visible traces.

In later times, the Argentine government, in an effort to revive life in Misiones, granted large plots of land free of charge to those wishing to settle there, and provided as much assistance as possible in settling in. This circumstance gave rise to Polish emigration to Misiones. The oldest Polish communities The oldest Polish community there is Apostoles, today a town of about 8,000 inhabitants. It was founded on 27 August 1897 by refugees from the former Eastern Galicia (Hutsul region), Poles and Ruthenians.

Four years later, some of the Apostoles colonists, unable to cope with the barren steppe soil, moved further east and established the Azara colony 25-30 km from their original settlement. If we take into account the location of the Polish colony - almost on the border of three republics: Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, in the neighbourhood of the huge Paraná River, an important navigable thoroughfare throughout the year - it is safe to say that in a short time our colony will become the main commercial and industrial centre, not only in Misiones, but also in the border zones of the neighbouring countries.

The number of independent farms in Misiones owned by Poles is currently estimated at around one thousand. The number of Polish citizens living in Misiones is approximately 15 000-20 000. The first steps of the pioneering Polish settlers were difficult. Accustomed to "going around the farm" in the old country, they also strove to establish themselves "humanely" on the new land, erecting a whole set of buildings, admittedly very primitive. But after a dozen or so years of toiling over the hidden treasures of nature in the wilderness and the steppe, our countryman in Misiones has reached prosperity and, walking around his farm where, in addition to a beautiful brick house with a veranda, there is also a barn, a granary, a stable, a cowshed, pigsties, chicken coops, etc., he is proud of the work he has done.

When visiting Polish settlements in Misiones, one encounters properly built "pueblos" settlements, reminiscent of our small provincial towns. The first Polish settlers used two-wheeled carts with huge wheels, following the example of the natives. Today, they have four-wheeled carts, with carts of solid Polish construction, made by Polish wheelwrights. These carts are known throughout Misiones under the name "carros polacos" as the best carts for the roads and land there.

Also, the Krakow harness, comfortable and practical horse-drawn harnesses, are in general use in Misiones. The wealthier Polish colonists have motorised means of transport, mostly Ford cars. There are colonists who dispose of limousines of the latest models. Among the old and socially distinguished Polish pioneers in Misiones, who through their work have achieved prosperity and enjoy the general respect of their own and foreigners, the following deserve mention: Michal Zubrzycki, president of the Polish Association in Misiones and also mayor of the town of Apostoles. The social life of Poles in Misiones has developed very beautifully.

Each major Polish community has its own home, where Polish speech and tradition live and vibrate, passing from generation to generation. In the people's homes, which are the seat and property of Polish associations with names often associated with historical figures of great Poles, national celebrations are celebrated, Polish language courses are held, lectures and talks on various topics about contemporary Poland are organised, etc. Polish youth, after a hard day's work, often gather in the folk-houses in the evenings, where they spend time in a cultural common room atmosphere. During the summer months, the societies organise excursions.

The Polish Union and the Union of Poles Organisationally, the social life of Poles in Misiones is concentrated in two central organisations. One is the Polish Union in Misiones, founded in 1930, with 13 societies. The Association publishes a biweekly magazine called "Osadnik" and focuses increasingly on economic and agricultural issues, thus gaining a wider reach in Misiones. The second organisation of a religious nature is the "Union of Polish Catholics", founded in 1934.

The Union brings together 8 societies, as many parish committees and a number of religious confraternities. It publishes the magazine "Orędownik". As a counterpart to the National Educational Committee in Argentina, based in Buenos Aires, an "Educational Council" was founded in Misiones at the end of 1936. Educational and cultural issues not only in Misiones, but also in Argentina as a whole, developed very seriously in 1936 and 1937.

As part of the revived atmosphere, sport is also developing, as can be seen in the creation of several sports clubs with men's and women's sections. The Poles of the Roman Catholic faith are deeply attached to the faith of their fathers. They build churches and chapels with their own financial efforts. In the town of Apostoles and in the colony of Azara, Polish churches are being erected as all-parish churches. One traveller from Poland, after visiting Misiones, recounted that when he was in Azara during the Easter holidays and saw the ritual of blessing the scattered pancakes, eggs and sausages in the church cemetery, he forgot for a moment that he was in the other hemisphere, transporting his thoughts to a typical church village in his homeland.

Noteworthy in the church cemetery in Apostoles is the stone statue of Christ, erected by the Poles there to commemorate Poland's independence. Pastoral care is provided by priests from the Congregation of the Divine Word. By the plough The main occupation of Polish colonists in Misiones is agriculture. They plough their plots of land assiduously, helped by their wives and children. The greatest wealth of missionary agriculture years ago was "yerba mate", the colonists' so-called "green gold".

Yerba mate is a small plant whose ground leaves are brewed with the tea system, obtaining the national drink in South America under the same plant name. Nowadays, the cultivation of yerba mate does not offer the same benefits as years ago, which has seriously affected the budgets of the colonists. Rice is grown here on a larger scale and maize is planted; light, uncomplicated seed drills, designed by local Polish mechanics, are used. Beans, peanuts, alfalfa, soya, buckwheat, lentils and yams (sweet potatoes) are grown in larger quantities. On the other hand, wheat and rye are sown for personal use and potatoes are planted. Of fruit, southern species predominate: oranges, mandarins and lemons.

Cattle breeding is also developed and now brings more serious income to the colonist's farm. In the north, in the wooded zone, the ingenious Polish colonists have developed artificial fish farming, even pure Polish carp. In the same zone, tobacco plantation is developed on a large scale. Missionary tobacco, well crafted, spreads throughout South America. It even reaches Habana as raw material for the best world-brand cigars, as the following example proves. One of the Polish colonists, when packing his tobacco for sale, inserted slips of paper into the parcels, on which he wrote a request for the recipient of the parcels to send him some information about where the tobacco went and what use it eventually found.

Several replies have just been received by our colonist in Habana from workers there, not only with words of greetings, but also with expressions of appreciation for the colonist's product. Attempts are being made at plantations to grow cotton, as well as "Chinese tea", as they call the normal tea used in Europe here. Vegetables and fruit are bearing excellently, but due to the difficult market this branch of the farm is neglected, limited only to the colonist's own needs. More attention has been given to plantations of more noble, better-paying fruits, such as pineapples.

By the workshops and in trade Not all the emigrants, directed to Misiones, settled in the 'interiors' on the land. A significant number of them settled in the towns, setting up artisanal workshops and commercial interests. While only twenty years ago the average colonist used a primitive pestle to grind corn, nowadays you can find water mills in every Polish colony, and steam mills in larger groups.

A modern large motor mill for cleaning and milling rice and other grains, called "El Polones" in Apostoles, deserves special mention. All in all, there are about 40 commercial and 50 industrial establishments in Misiones in Polish hands. In addition, there are more than 100 craft workshops. Hard-working and loyal The material and cultural achievements of Poles in Misiones are considerable. Their industriousness and loyalty to their host country have won them recognition and esteem not only among Argentines, but also among their neighbours of other nationalities, such as Swedes, Germans, English, Italians, Swiss and Finns, who also live in the compact colonies of Misiones.

The opinion of Argentinians about the Poles The factual opinion of serious Argentinians was able to duly assess the efforts of the first Polish colonists in Misiones. P. Oliveira, director of the agricultural school in Posadas, the capital of Misiones, wrote the following about Polish colonisation in 1936 in an official publication of the Ministry of Agriculture: "This zone of Misiones has the honour of starting the first agricultural work on small plots of land where the first Poles were able to endure the adversities of these zones, completely unpopulated and without any means of transportation, with unheard of perseverance.

They, with their chapels, their roadside crosses and their faith in God, conquered this zone, which today already has a direct rail link with Buenos Aires and thus offers the possibility of exporting everything the territory produces". Celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Polish settlement The day of 27 August 1937 is etched in the memory of all the inhabitants of Misiones, and above all the Poles. On that day Apostoles, the oldest Polish colony in Misiones, celebrated the 40th anniversary of its foundation.

In 1897, in the month of August, a dozen Polish families arrived in Apostoles, initiating our emigration to Misiones. Forty years later, the tiny settlement of Apostoles grew into a large town, where a Pole, Michał Zubrzycki, has ruled as mayor for several years. The eternal surrounding forest became overgrown with cultural settlements and was thus conquered by the efforts of the Poles for agricultural culture and human civilisation. The period of 40 years of pioneering work of the Poles in Misiones is the history of a serious economic contribution to Argentina's national farm and the cultural contribution of our national culture.

In recognition of these contributions, the jubilee ceremony became a territorial celebration attended by the highest representatives of the Argentine authorities, local society and numerous delegations. The celebrations were held in an atmosphere of recognition and the greatest respect for the efforts and achievements of the Polish exiles. It was the best propaganda, the propaganda of Polishness in Argentina. On the trail of the Polish pilgrims It was 27 August 1897. A strange caravan arrived in Apostoles. It arrived on huge carts pulled by oxen. Tents were hastily put together from branches and pieces of trees.

The weeping of children and women mingled with the song of the exiles, which reverberated against the huge Jesuit ruins and wept in the bushes nearby: "Heartfelt Mother, protector of men, may you be roused to pity by the cries of orphans!" The Blessed Virgin poured encouragement into hearts. The Polish peasant set to work. His dormant strength was awakened. And wherever his foot passed, villages and towns sprang up in bloom. Everywhere one could see panache and culture, wherever the Polish axe and the Polish plough reached. Today Apostoles, or Apostoli as our people call it, is a pretty town. In the middle of the town park, avenues. The wide streets indicate that in a dozen years or so it will be teeming with commercial and industrial life, which can already be sensed today. But the beautiful Polish wooden thatched roofs, covered with straw or shingles, will sadly disappear. Yes, this momentum of Polish life fills us with pride and joy.

Our emigrants are true pioneers of culture ... and of God's thought! The spiritual capital of the Polish colonies in Misiones is Azara. During the four days I spent in Azara, I became convinced of this. You can only hear the Polish language here. The Polish banner in the church. The White Eagle, carved from stone, on the church wall. A national house, the busy Jan Sobieski society, a Polish school with a boarding house under the aegis of the Sisters, and numerous religious associations - these are the clusters of Polish life in this Polish missionary capital. Palm Sunday! The sun is working full force and spreads its golden rays across the land, glaring down on people's eyes.

In front of the Azar church, it is busy. Polish carts pulling small horses in Cracovian hobbles arrive. There is a buzz of conversations and calls. The bells placed on the horses' necks clang. The neighing and snorting of horses trembles in the air. At the sound of the bells the din stops. The crowd overflows into the temple. Everyone carries a bunch of palm leaves and local flowers. It seems that it is for Our Lady of the Herbs that the Polish people gather somewhere near Krakow. Only the real palms and exotic flowers bear witness to something else.

I am very happy to have real palms at least once in my life on Palm Day. The service is sorrowful, and even more sorrowful are those Polish songs, sung with all the strength, with all the longing of an orphan's heart. The people of Wojciechowski have been waiting at the church for a couple of hours, as messengers from the Carpathian Mountains have brought news that a priest is coming. The holy ceremonies at the Lord's Tomb begin immediately. This Jesus lies stretched out on the cross. And on His miserable face fall the gleams of so many candles that were made by Polish hands from forest wax. He lies beneath the canopy woven from palm leaves by Wojciechowski girls.

And around him are fragrant forest and garden flowers on mottled folded scarves. People lean over like this forest thicket when a whirlwind hits it. The smoke of incense rises, and the priest sings the sacred Latin words. Then the procession forms. Felek Wojtaszyns carry the Lord's cross. They bring out the flags and feretrons. Walenty Gacał, president of the Bartosz Głowacki Society, proudly carries the banner with the White Eagle on an amaranth background. Despite being in his seventies, the old man holds himself up straight and dashing.

You can tell that he is ready to defend the banner and the honour of the Fatherland. The best hosts line up by his side, as if he were a bodyguard. Wojtaszyn, a full head taller than the others, and the Wróbleks, the Stelmaszczuks, the Terlecki, the Binkowskis and many others. Each holds a lit candle in his hand. The bells wail groaningly. Out comes the procession into the deafening night. But the darkness has vanished. From these glowing candles a glow has shot up with a bright flare and bloodied the sky. And into that bright-blooded abyss cooed the Polish song of the Resurrection:

"Merry to us the day has come today, Whom every one of us has demanded - Alleluia!".

And the song pierced the heavenly firmament, and then it flowed straight before God's throne. And it took the angels of the Lord in heaven to find out what it was they were singing. And only the Polish saints explained to them that it was sung by Polish people, Polish orphans in a foreign land... Then the blessing of food. The Wojciechowski housewives stand with large baskets. And in the baskets, "God's gifts". Decorated with sultanas, parsley and other ornaments. We are celebrating the Resurrection in a festive mood.

Morning and afternoon services. People gather. They pray and sing, and the word of God gladdens and strengthens them in their orphaned plight. We go from house to house. They listen with emotion about Poland. And then we sing those songs about the Vistula, and that highlander, and that soldier who walked through the forest. And then we go on again, the Resurrection greeting echoes incessantly: -

"Christ is risen" - speaks everyone at the greeting - "Truly risen".

- replies the greeted. Then we continue on our way to Wincentow, Jackow and Magdalenow. Perhaps Magdalenowo is most reminiscent of some Polish village in Podhale. So familiar and friendly there. A large family of the Żurakowski family lives here. The old Eusebiusz Żurakowski left his family village in Otynia near Trzán 30 years ago and went to such distant places. And the people of this family are healthy and prolific. There is an abundance of Zhurakovskis in Magdalenov. You will count more than 80 heads.

That is why some people call Magdalenowo Żurakówka. The Shopkeepers also live here, spindly as trunks. And the people are a proud and bookish lot. The sons and grandsons of the old Sklepik teach others catechism, reading and all kinds of music. I'll never forget that Sunday, when old Sklepik and I chatted about sacred matters and Poland. I won't forget, old grey-haired man, oh no. We sat together under a banana, under a green banana.

And you were looking thoughtfully through the wilderness with misty eyes, at the hot, blue sky, at those stalks of harvested corn. And then your trembling hands took hold of the harmonica. And you played and sang: "Poland is not lost yet." And your tears were flowing down the drain, and your tear-stained eyes were shining. Grandfather gold, I will not forget, I will not forget.