Photo Essay: The Most German City in Brazil

In 1861, the town of Pomerade was founded by the Pomeranian German (from North Germany) northeast of Santa Catarina. Approximately 90% of the approximately 25,000 inhabitants are still speaking German, but even more strangely, they have a clear 19th century Pon Mash Accent.

Since the 19th century, the southernmost point of Brazil is the source of the German entry wave, the most important period occurred between 1848 and 1939, and the flood was hit soon after the First World War. As a result, in Santa Catarina, about 50% of immigrants are German and Austrian.

This not only influences the ethnic composition of the population but also creates an eclectic culture characterized by a special attachment to the influence of German tradition. This culture also left marks that will not disappear in the architecture of the area. These buildings feature the appearance of bricks in exposed wooden frames, reminiscent of the rural environment in Germany since around 1900, but in the 21st century they were Brazilian houses. They are not located in the alpine landscape but are embedded in the subtropical region of Brazil.

Recently the German government acknowledged the cultural significance of the outpost of this faraway German life and brought about the revival of tourism related to Pomeranian cultural activities.

But over the years, the Brazilians have been more enthusiastic about this relationship and adopted all stereotype German customs. Ironically, the tradition including dance and clothing is greatly influenced by Bavarian culture in southern Germany, but former immigrants in North Germany are not used to this custom. In contrast to the more quiet contrast between European Germans and the darker elements of their history, the Brazilians are more open to the Nazi heritage. In fact, last year, after discovering a big Nazi symbol at the bottom of the private pool, the city announced worldwide news.

In terms of architecture, old houses are carefully preserved and real estate developers are encouraged to have so-called authentic German-style architecture. Photographer Erik van der Weijde began to capture Pomerode's architectural habit including enxiamel structure ("half timber" in Brazil, "Fachwerk" in German).

The series is consistent with German history, architecture, and other works of Van der Weide, which are influenced by modern Brazil. His project in the Brazilian city of Germany is covered in his recently published book "Pomerode".

After Brazil joined the Allies side in 1942, anti-German riots occurred in almost every city in Brazil, and the Germans were not the majority of the population. German factories such as Bahia's Suerdick cigar factory, shops, hotels were destroyed by the mob. The biggest demonstration took place at Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul. The Brazilian police persecuted and executed the Axis headquarters in the camp as well as American interns used by Japanese Americans. After the war, German schools were not restarted, the German publisher was completely destroyed, and the use of German was limited to families and older generations of immigrants.

The city of Blumenau is located in Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. Established in 1850 by German immigrants, it is one of the world's largest celebrations of the Oktoberfest! It is a short drive from Pomerode which is also known as "Little Germany in Brazil". Read on to learn how you can spend a few days in the most German cities in Brazil ... it is very unrealistic to take a stroll in the city of Blumenau on arrival. Every place you see is such a unique combination of architectural styles. Sometimes, there will be a beautiful tree-framed German building to accommodate something ordinary such as a light shop, bank, post office among the "ordinary" buildings! (Including the most beautiful Santander I have ever seen!

I think it is very important to start with the relationship with Santa Catarina. Not well-known, Brazil is divided into 27 states; Santa Catarina is located in the south, primarily German, Italian and Portuguese immigrants are colonized. I walked a lot and the custom of each city was unique - Iajai who went to college had a strong Azores culture, and Pomerode I live now is called "the most German town in Brazil" It is. All of these are somehow transformed into the recognition of my life and therefore converted to my dish