Literature in the press of Polish diaspora in Brazil 1892–1920

Literature was published extensively in the nineteenth century Polish diaspora press in Brazil. Even the entire page of a four-page issue could be taken up by a piece of belles lettres. The use of literature, contrary to what has been suggested in the source literature, was not simply an effortless way to fill journals with interesting, popular content. Belles lettres were carefully chosen, for instance based on the author’s worldview preferences. In addition to fulfilling the cultural and ludic functions of the Polish diaspora press, which are of primary importance in this context, literature also served important edu- cational, informative, and religious functions. Publishing literary works was a way to maintain boundaries with the language and culture of the country of origin, and Polish diaspora activists used satire to conduct debates.

Literature was published extensively in the nineteenth century Polish diaspora press in Brazil. Even the entire page of a four-page issue could be taken up by a piece of belles lettres. The use of literature, contrary to what has been suggested in the source literature, was not simply an effortless way to fill journals with interesting, popular content. Belles lettres were carefully chosen, for instance based on the author’s worldview preferences. In addition to fulfilling the cultural and ludic functions of the Polish diaspora press, which are of primary importance in this context, literature also served important edu- cational, informative, and religious functions. Publishing literary works was a way to maintain boundaries with the language and culture of the country of origin, and Polish diaspora activists used satire to conduct debates.