Argentina is a country located in South America. In Poland, it is associated with tango, soccer teams, and top-class beef. It is the world’ eighth largest country by area and the second largest in South America (following Brazil).
Argentina’s landscape is very diverse. It offers something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Mighty rivers, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers.
Relations Between Poland and Argentina
Poland and Argentina established diplomatic relations in 1922. A short while after Poland became an independent country, Argentina officially acknowledged the Polish state. It was back in 1919. This helped to open the door for official international relations. These two countries first established relations between consulates and then, in 1922, developed diplomatic relations through deputies. The first Polish deputy in Argentina was Wladyslaw Mazurkiewicz.
After the War
During the Second World War, Argentina acknowledged the Polish exiled government. After the War, the Polish deputation in Buenos Aires resumed its activity and due to very friendly relations these diplomatic offices of the two countries were upgraded to the status of embassies. Such a transformation took place in 1964.
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The time of the cold war and the communist regime in Poland was a period of very good relations with Argentina. Both political and economical. A series of government member visits took place at that time. Poland and Argentina signed a few economic agreements. One of them was the Intergovernmental Trade Agreement on cooperation in the fields of fisheries, mining, and veterinary medicine.
There were also a series of agreements signed that reflected cultural and scientific cooperation. For instance, the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (1974), the Agreement Formalizing Cultural and Scientific Cooperation (1987), and the Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation (1984).
Political Cooperation Between Poland and Argentina
At the political level, Poland and Argentina continue to maintain very good relationships. They regularly organize consultations between their deputy foreign ministers as well as hold meetings with their respective foreign politicians. Both countries share similar values and views on numerous topics. For both, it is important to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, respect international justice and protect human rights. This similarity makes it easier to cooperate with each other in international forums.
Economic Cooperation
Argentina is Poland’s third-largest trading partner among Latin American countries. We export to Argentina such things like mining machinery and equipment, mechanical devices, automotive goods, drilling machine parts, furniture parts, air conditioner parts, medicines, lamps, refrigerators and freezers, turbines, and construction made of steel. On the other hand, from Argentina we import soybeans, peanuts, tobacco, corn, lemons, fish fillets, wool, and wine.
The Cultural Cooperation
Poland’s cultural heritage is well-known and appreciated in Argentina. The relationship in this field was settled in 1984 by a specific agreement. The Argentines appreciate Polish theater, cinema, and music. Witold Gombrowicz is one of the most highly respected Polish authors in Argentina. Each year in Buenos Aires, there are a number of Polish artists presenting Polish cultural achievements.
Why Are There So Many Polish People in Argentina?
The first wave of emigration to Argentina took place during the Napoleonic Wars. After that, Argentina became home to the insurgents of both the November and January Uprisings. These emigrants founded in Argentina the Polish Association in 1890. This association became the first Polish organization in Latin America.
Between the 19th and 20th centuries, there was an increase in labor emigration from Poland. It was mainly farmers from Lesser Poland who found their home in Argentina. They settled in the province of Misiones. In 1897 they founded the village called Apóstoles. After World War I, Argentina became the second overseas country to which Poles emigrated (first was Canada). During WWII, the Polish community in Argentina reached approximately 200,000 people.
The beginning of Polish Emigration to Argentina
There were thousands of migrants, but that doesn’t mean it was easy for them to live in a foreign country. Facing unbearable heat, deadly mosquitoes and tropical diseases, they cut down forests, built houses and prepared land for farming in order to survive.
They had to learn agriculture from scratch. After all, due to the different climate, the knowledge brought from Europe was not very helpful. Many Polish people died. Those who survived, despite their success, were not the happiest. They missed Polish food, language, traditions, and on top of that, they were isolated.
It should be noted that in those days, there was nothing in Argentina. No light, electricity, roads, or bridges. The road from Apostoles to Posadas (70 kilometers long) could take up to a week. One tradition that was cultivated in Misiones was Polish cuisine. However, due to the subtropical climate, residents had to modify recipes by applying local ingredients. For example, dumplings were made without cheese. Only with potatoes. There was no wheat or other grains either.
How many Polish People Live in Argentina?
Approximately 170,000 people of Polish origin live in Argentina today. The Polish community in Argentina is very active. The Union of Poles in Argentina consists of 34 organizations. They run Polish schools, teach the Polish language, and preserve Polish customs and traditions.
What is Argentina Associated With (In the Minds of Poles)?
It is primarily associated with:
- Diego Maradona and soccer. A lot of famous soccer players were born in Argentina. Argentina’s national team won the World Cup twice (1978 and 1986). Diego Maradona is, and probably will be, the most famous Argentine soccer player.
- Pope Francis, who was elected on March 13, 2013, comes from Argentina.
- Argentina is the home of the tango. Originally, the dance was performed by the lower classes, as tango was considered an immoral dance.
- Steaks and beef. Argentina is famous for producing top-class beef. Some time ago in Prague (Czech Republic), Polish beef was sold under the name of Argentine beef. Despite the huge difference in price, no one noticed the quality difference.
- Argentina is also associated with yerba mate.
How many kilometers is it from Poland to Argentina?
The direct distance between Argentina and Warsaw is 12,973 km.
How long does it take to fly to Argentina?
Information about the route Buenos Aires-Warsaw: the fastest flight Warsaw-Buenos Aires takes 17h 50min.
Does polish LOT airlines fly to Argentina?
Yes, there are connecting flights: Departure from: Warsaw Chopin and arrival at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini.
Bibliography
- https://www.gov.pl/web/argentyna/relacje-dwustronne
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kategoria:Stosunki_polsko-argenty%C5%84skie
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Argentina%E2%80%93Poland_relations
