More Than 500 Croats from Across South America to Gather in Córdoba

More than 500 participants from at least 10 countries will gather in Córdoba, Argentina, from November 5 to 8 for the 9th Meeting of the Croatian Diaspora in South America. 

The continent's largest annual gathering of Croatian communities will feature four days of cultural, academic, religious and economic events, with a focus on strengthening ties with the homeland, preserving Croatian identity and exploring new opportunities for economic cooperation.

Following last year's meeting in São Paulo, Brazil, Córdoba, one of Argentina's largest cities and an important university center, will host this year's gathering. Correspondent Matija Jerković spoke to Global Croatia about the preparations and the special features of the event.

Croatian traces in the heart of Córdoba

This is the first time the gathering is being held in a country that has previously hosted the event. Another special feature is the venue: the historic center of Córdoba, where participants will have an opportunity to learn about the city's rich heritage through lectures and social events.

Croatian immigrants have also left their mark on the city, from university professors to stonemasons whose work has become part of Córdoba's architectural heritage.

The program will retain its familiar four-day format, with a large turnout expected from Croatian communities across neighboring countries.

"History connects us, the future calls us"

More than 500 participants from at least a dozen countries are expected, Cristian Šprljan, executive director of the Organizing Committee, told HINA. He hopes the gathering will help establish lasting ties between Croatia and South America.

This year's meeting is being held under the motto "History Connects Us, the Future Calls Us." The program will cover several thematic areas, including culture and the preservation of traditions, the role of women through the CroActivas network, economic cooperation between Croatia and South America, and strengthening ties between younger generations.

"A special place in the program will be dedicated to paying tribute to Croatian stonemasons, immigrants who left a visible mark on Córdoba's urban heritage, particularly in some of the city's best-known buildings and landmarks, such as the La Cañada canal and the Arca de Córdoba," Šprljan said.

He noted that the Croatian presence in Córdoba, located about 700 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires, dates back centuries. Among the earliest documented figures was Jesuit Nikola Plantić, born in Zagreb in 1720, who arrived in Córdoba in 1748 and conducted part of his academic work at the University of Córdoba.

"Croatian immigration, which helped shape the community as we know it today, intensified in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, followed by new waves after World War II," Šprljan explained. Many immigrants came from Dalmatia and other parts of Croatia, becoming involved in a range of professions and industries.

Croatian diaspora gathering coincides with Pope Leo XIV's historic visit

This year's meeting also coincides with Pope Leo XIV's apostolic journey to South America, bringing two major events to Córdoba within a few days.

According to the official program, the Pope will be in Uruguay from November 6 to 8. On Sunday, November 8, the final day of the Croatian diaspora gathering, he is scheduled to arrive in Buenos Aires.

Of particular significance is his planned visit to Córdoba on November 10, where he will celebrate Mass and meet with representatives of the Church.

This will be the first papal visit to Argentina since 1987. Jerković noted that some participants in the Croatian gathering may extend their stay to take part in this historic event.

Business forum to open up new opportunities for cooperation

One of the key events will be the Business Forum, aimed at connecting Croatian entrepreneurs with the South American market.

According to Jerković, discussions on economic cooperation will focus on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement and the opportunities it could create for the Croatian economy.

With trade between Croatia and Mercosur countries still relatively modest, the gathering could help establish new business connections and identify opportunities for cooperation in sectors of mutual interest.

From Croatian stonemasons to preserving identity

Among the cultural events, the unveiling of a memorial plaque honoring Croatian stonemasons at the famous La Cañada canal will be a highlight, recognizing their contribution to Córdoba's development.

However, alongside preserving their historical heritage, participants will also discuss the future of Croatian communities in South America.

Learning the Croatian language, obtaining Croatian citizenship, strengthening diaspora institutions and facilitating return to the homeland remain among the community's key priorities.

A message to the homeland: We want stronger ties with Croatia

As Jerković points out, relations between Croatia and its diaspora in South America have made significant progress over the past decade, but there is still room for improvement.

Among the requests frequently raised by Croatian communities are more Croatian language teachers, a stronger diplomatic presence, the possibility of voting by mail and better institutional support.

This is expected to be one of the key messages of this year's gathering: Croatian emigrants want not only to preserve the memory of their ancestors' homeland, but also to build stronger, more organized and more effective ties with Croatia.

Šprljan stressed that he wants the event to produce tangible results long after the four-day program ends, including new cultural, academic and economic projects, closer cooperation between Croatian and South American institutions, and more opportunities for young people interested in discovering their roots.

"We do not want identity to be merely a memory of the past. We want it to be a tool for creating projects, opportunities and lasting connections between Croatia and South America," Šprljan said.

Another distinctive feature of this year's gathering, he added, is that Córdoba will become the first city outside a national capital or the largest city of its country to host the event in South America. The choice is intended to highlight the importance of inland cities, their immigrant communities and local institutions in building connections between Croatia and South America.

"We want Córdoba to be more than just a venue for events over these few days. We want it to be a place where history, culture, diplomacy and opportunities for cooperation come together, creating new connections for the future," Šprljan concluded.