Croatian heritage lives on in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest

Thousands of kilometers from Croatia, in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest, descendants of Croatian immigrants are proudly preserving the memory of their ancestors. 

In Oxapampa, the Lale family celebrated Croatian heritage with a ceremonial parade, paying tribute to the Croats who made distant Peru their home more than a century ago.

A Croatian story in the Peruvian rainforest

The ninth Oxapampa Heritage Days concluded on October 10, bringing together families to celebrate their roots, customs and traditions.

The Lale family drew particular attention with an allegorical float dedicated to Croatian immigration to Oxapampa.

It honored Croatian immigrants who arrived in Peru in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, as well as their descendants, who continue to cherish their family history.

Croatian surnames remembered to this day

Oxapampa lies in central Peru, in the rainforest, about an 11-hour drive from the capital, Lima.

The city was founded in 1891 by Austrian and German immigrants from Pozuzo, but the region's history also bears traces of Croatian settlement.

Historical records mention the surnames Lale, Balarin, Gverović, Piškulić, Saltarić, Soko, Zelen and Nesanović, testifying to the presence of Croatian immigrants in the area.

Passing on a love of Croatian roots

Through their participation in the event, the Lale family once again highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of their ancestors and passing their heritage on to younger generations.

Their story reflects the enduring ties between Croatian emigrants and their homeland, even in the most remote corners of the world.

More than a century after the first immigrants arrived, Croatian heritage continues to thrive in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest.