Czech Brazilian
Encyclopedia
Czech Brazilians refer to Brazilians of Czech descent
who were born in or who trace their ancestry to the territory of the historic Czech lands
or succession states, now known as the Czech Republic
, and are residents and/or citizens of Brazil
.
had been working in Brazil since the 18th century, the first Czech immigrants arrived in 1823. Among these early immigrants was Jan Nepomuk Kubíček
, a Catholic
carpenter
from Třeboň
and one of the great-grandfathers of Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira
, the 24th President of Brazil (from 1956 to 1961).
In the 20th century there were three large waves of Czechs who moved to Brazil: in the 1930s, after the Communist takeover (1948) and after the occupation of Czechoslovakia
by the Warsaw Pact
troops (1968). Most of those immigrants settled down in Southern Brazil.
Though Czechs correspond to a small proportion of all immigrants who landed in Brazil
, the Czech immigration is significant if counted in absolute numbers. An evidence of such representativeness is that a search in the 2007 phone book of São Paulo
reveals that all the 10 commonest Czech male surnames can be found among the inhabitants of the mentioned Brazilian city.
, Paraná
, and Rio Grande do Sul
). In such states, the Czechs arrived since the 19th century and were often a minority in areas predominantly settled by Germans
or Poles
.
In Santa Catarina, the Czech immigrants occupied the regions of Vale do Itajaí
and Northern parts of the state, e.g. Joinville
, São Bento do Sul
and Mafra
.
In Rio Grande do Sul, most Czechs settled down in the Serra Gaúcha
(notably in the town of Nova Petrópolis
), the North Coast, the area of Missões
and the Central Lowlands.
In Paraná, the Czech immigration is noticeable in the Northern areas, e.g. Rolândia
and Londrina
, where in 1932-1940's Czechs and Poles used to dispute the available lands for coffee cultivation, particularly in the rural district of Warta (Northern Londrina).
, a Czech shoe manufacturer who left Czechoslovakia
after the Nazi occupation of the Sudetenland
. http://www.klepsidra.net/klepsidra23/colonizacao-ms.htm
The colonization of part of the Southeastern region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul
was made possible thanks to the Companhia Viação São Paulo-Mato Grosso (São Paulo-Mato Grosso Transport Company) owned by Baťa and managed by another Czech immigrant, Vladimir Kubik
.
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
who were born in or who trace their ancestry to the territory of the historic Czech lands
Czech lands
Czech lands is an auxiliary term used mainly to describe the combination of Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia. Today, those three historic provinces compose the Czech Republic. The Czech lands had been settled by the Celts , then later by various Germanic tribes until the beginning of 7th...
or succession states, now known as the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, and are residents and/or citizens of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
Czech people in Brazil
Although Czech Jesuits such as Valentin StanselValentin Stansel
Valentin Stansel was a Czech Jesuit astronomer who worked in Brazil.-Biography:Stansel was born in Olomouc, Moravia. He entered the Society of Jesus on 1 October 1637, and taught rhetoric and mathematics at University of Olomouc and in Prague...
had been working in Brazil since the 18th century, the first Czech immigrants arrived in 1823. Among these early immigrants was Jan Nepomuk Kubíček
Jan Nepomuk Kubícek
Jan Nepomuk Kubíček was one of the great-grandfathers of the former Brazilian president, Juscelino Kubitschek. Kubíček was a Catholic carpenter born in Trebon . He was among the first group of Czech immigrants to arrive in Brazil...
, a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
from Třeboň
Trebon
Třeboň is a historical town in South Bohemian Region of Czech Republic. The population stands at 8,862 .-History:Třeboň was established around the middle of the 12th century. In 1366 the House of Rožmberk become owner of the estate...
and one of the great-grandfathers of Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira
Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira
Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , known also by his initials JK, was a prominent Brazilian politician of gypsy Czech origin who was President of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. He was born in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, and died in 1976...
, the 24th President of Brazil (from 1956 to 1961).
In the 20th century there were three large waves of Czechs who moved to Brazil: in the 1930s, after the Communist takeover (1948) and after the occupation of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
by the Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
troops (1968). Most of those immigrants settled down in Southern Brazil.
Though Czechs correspond to a small proportion of all immigrants who landed in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, the Czech immigration is significant if counted in absolute numbers. An evidence of such representativeness is that a search in the 2007 phone book of São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
reveals that all the 10 commonest Czech male surnames can be found among the inhabitants of the mentioned Brazilian city.
Southern Brazil
More or less influence of the Czech immigration can be noticed in the three states of Southern Brazil (Santa CatarinaSanta Catarina (state)
Santa Catarina is a state in southern Brazil with one of the highest standards of living in Latin America. Its capital is Florianópolis, which mostly lies on the Santa Catarina Island. Neighbouring states are Rio Grande do Sul to the south and Paraná to the north. It is bounded on the east by...
, Paraná
Paraná (state)
Paraná is one of the states of Brazil, located in the South of the country, bordered on the north by São Paulo state, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Santa Catarina state and the Misiones Province of Argentina, and on the west by Mato Grosso do Sul and the republic of Paraguay,...
, and Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
). In such states, the Czechs arrived since the 19th century and were often a minority in areas predominantly settled by Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
or Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
.
In Santa Catarina, the Czech immigrants occupied the regions of Vale do Itajaí
Vale do Itajaí
Vale do Itajaí also known as Vale Europeu is a mesoregion located in the Northeastern part of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. It has about 1.3 million inhabitants and comprises four smaller regions: Blumenau, Itajaí, Ituporanga and Rio do Sul...
and Northern parts of the state, e.g. Joinville
Joinville
Joinville is a city in Santa Catarina State, in the Southern Region of Brazil. Joinville is Santa Catarina's largest city. In 2010, its population has reached approximately 520,000, many of whom are of German descent....
, São Bento do Sul
São Bento do Sul
São Bento do Sul is a small town, pop. 75.543 located in southern Brazil, in the northeast part of the state of Santa Catarina, just south of the state of Paraná.- Industry :...
and Mafra
Mafra, Santa Catarina
Mafra is a city located in the northern border of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. This city borders to the state of Paraná and its urban area is attached to the urban area of its interstate neighbour, Rio Negro. This city's population is composed primarily of descendants of European...
.
In Rio Grande do Sul, most Czechs settled down in the Serra Gaúcha
Serra Gaúcha
The Serra Gaúcha, The Gaucho Highlands, is the mountainous region in the northeastern portion of Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil. This mountainous region is home to many Brazilians of German and Italian descent...
(notably in the town of Nova Petrópolis
Nova Petrópolis
Nova Petrópolis is a municipality in the Southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The main town and seat of the municipality is also called Nova Petropolis. It is located in the Serra Gaúcha region, at 29º22'35" South, 51º06'52" West, about 100 km north of Porto Alegre, the state capital city...
), the North Coast, the area of Missões
Missões
Missões or Missões do Uruguai is the region located in the Northwestern part of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, close to the border between Brazil and Argentina....
and the Central Lowlands.
In Paraná, the Czech immigration is noticeable in the Northern areas, e.g. Rolândia
Rolândia
Rolândia is a town and municipality in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil.-References:...
and Londrina
Londrina
Londrina is a city located in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, and is 369 km away from the capital, Curitiba. Londrina was originally founded by British settlers. The city exerts great influence on Paraná and Brazil's south region...
, where in 1932-1940's Czechs and Poles used to dispute the available lands for coffee cultivation, particularly in the rural district of Warta (Northern Londrina).
Central-Western Brazil
In Central-Western Brazil the Czech immigrants arrived mostly in the 1940-1950's led by the entrepreneur Jan Antonín BaťaJan Antonín Bata
Jan Antonín Baťa was a Czech shoe manufacturer from Uherské Hradiště , brother of Tomáš Baťa....
, a Czech shoe manufacturer who left Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
after the Nazi occupation of the Sudetenland
Sudetenland
Sudetenland is the German name used in English in the first half of the 20th century for the northern, southwest and western regions of Czechoslovakia inhabited mostly by ethnic Germans, specifically the border areas of Bohemia, Moravia, and those parts of Silesia being within Czechoslovakia.The...
. http://www.klepsidra.net/klepsidra23/colonizacao-ms.htm
The colonization of part of the Southeastern region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul
Mato Grosso do Sul
Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the states of Brazil.Neighboring Brazilian states are Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná. It also borders the countries of Paraguay and Bolivia to the west. The economy of the state is largely based on agriculture and cattle-raising...
was made possible thanks to the Companhia Viação São Paulo-Mato Grosso (São Paulo-Mato Grosso Transport Company) owned by Baťa and managed by another Czech immigrant, Vladimir Kubik
Vladimir Kubik
Vladimir Kubik was the manager of the Companhia Viação São Paulo-Mato Grosso, which was responsible for the colonisation of some areas in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil....
.
Institutions and Cultural Organizations
- Česko-brazilský kulturní svaz - São Paulo, SP
- Centrum památky Jindřicha Trachty - Batayporã, MS
- Česká a slovenská kulturní dílna Brazílie - Nova Andradina, MS
- Česko-brazilské kulturní sdružení - Porto Alegre, RS
- Sdružení potomků imigrantů z Česka - Nova Petrópolis, RS
Notable Czech Brazilians
- Eduardo Dusek
- Francis Pelichek
- František LorenzFrantišek LorenzFrantišek Lorenz also known as Francisco Valdomiro Lorenz or Francisco Lorenz was a Czech-born polyglot and philosopher born in Zbislav . He was one of the first Esperantists in the world, and was able to communicate in over 100 different languages. In 1891, Lorenz moved to Brazil due to political...
- Fred FignerFred FignerFred Figner , also known as Frederico Figner, was a Czech-born Jewish emigrant who lived in the United States and landed in Belém, Brazil in 1891. He traveled to many regions of Brazil doing public exhibitions of his phonograph...
- Jan Antonín BaťaJan Antonín BataJan Antonín Baťa was a Czech shoe manufacturer from Uherské Hradiště , brother of Tomáš Baťa....
- Jan Nepomuk KubíčekJan Nepomuk KubícekJan Nepomuk Kubíček was one of the great-grandfathers of the former Brazilian president, Juscelino Kubitschek. Kubíček was a Catholic carpenter born in Trebon . He was among the first group of Czech immigrants to arrive in Brazil...
- Juscelino Kubitschek de OliveiraJuscelino Kubitschek de OliveiraJuscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , known also by his initials JK, was a prominent Brazilian politician of gypsy Czech origin who was President of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. He was born in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, and died in 1976...
- Lavínia VlasakLavínia VlasakLavínia Gutmann Vlasak is a Brazilian actress.She's been always compared to Audrey Hepburn and, then, has already taken many pictures imitating here.- Television :-Film:-External links:...
- Otto Richard Gottlieb
- Tomas Valdemar HintnausTomas Valdemar HintnausTomas Valdemar Hintnaus is a retired Brazilian pole vaulter.He is a son of Czech immigrants, Lubomir and Marianne, who escaped from Czechoslovakia in 1948 after the Communist takeover...
- Valentin StanselValentin StanselValentin Stansel was a Czech Jesuit astronomer who worked in Brazil.-Biography:Stansel was born in Olomouc, Moravia. He entered the Society of Jesus on 1 October 1637, and taught rhetoric and mathematics at University of Olomouc and in Prague...
- Vaslav Veltchek
- Vilém FlusserVilém FlusserVilém Flusser was a Czech-born philosopher, writer and journalist. He lived for a long period in São Paulo, Brazil and later in France, and his works are written in several different languages....
- Vladimir KubikVladimir KubikVladimir Kubik was the manager of the Companhia Viação São Paulo-Mato Grosso, which was responsible for the colonisation of some areas in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil....
- Walter SmetakWalter SmetakAnton Walter Smetak February 12, 1913 - May 30, 1984) was a Swiss-born musician, composer, writer, sculptor and producer of musical instruments.- Life and works :...
See also
- Czech AmericanCzech AmericanCzech Americans are citizens of the United States who were born in, or who descended from, the territory of the historic Czech lands, , or succession states, now known as the Czech Republic...
- Czech CanadianCzech CanadianAccording to the 2006 Canadian census, there are 98,090 Canadians of full or partial Czech descent.-History:Czech immigration to Canada can be divided into four phases: 1880–1914, 1919–39, 1945–89, and 1990-2008. The first two phases were dominated by strong economic incentives for immigration...
- Prague SpringPrague SpringThe Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II...
- Immigration to BrazilImmigration to BrazilImmigration to Brazil is the movement to Brazil of foreign persons to reside permanently. It should not be confused with the colonisation of the country by the Portuguese, or with the forcible bringing of people from Africa as slaves....
- Brazilian-Czech relationsBrazilian-Czech relationsBrazilian-Czech relations are foreign relations between Brazil and the Czech Republic.- See also :* Foreign relations of Brazil* Foreign relations of the Czech Republic* Czech Brazilians-External links:...
- Johann Baptist Emanuel PohlJohann Baptist Emanuel PohlJohann Baptist Emanuel Pohl was an Austrian botanist, entomologist, geologist, and physician.Johan Emanuel Pohl grew up in , studied in Prague and graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1808....