Ukrainians in Brazil condemn Russian consul’s participation in Paraná folklore festival

The Ukrainian community in Brazil has denounced the participation of a Russian consul’s presence at the State Folklore and Ethnic Culture Festival held in Curitiba, Paraná in southern Brazil. The Ukrainian folk ensemble “Barvinok” and the folk group “Poltava” issued a formal appeal to the festival organizers.

“The Ukrainian community of Curitiba, along with Ukrainian communities across Paraná and all of Brazil, were outraged by this public gesture of welcoming a representative of a country that has brought suffering, pain, and destruction to Ukraine for over three years,” the statement reads.

The letter states that Russia has killed, wounded, tortured, and abducted thousands of people — victims of the unprovoked and ongoing aggression by Russia against the Ukrainian people.

“In this context, the warm reception of a Russian consul at an event meant to celebrate culture and peace among nations — without a single mention of the brutality and scale of the war — is an act of insensitivity, denial, and deep disrespect toward the pain and memory of the Ukrainian people, especially those living in Brazil who proudly preserve and share Ukrainian culture,” the community said.

Ukrainians in Brazil expressed their ardent discontent and urged the festival’s organizers “to reconsider the consequences of such decisions and adopt a more thoughtful and respectful stance in light of the current international situation and the real pain of some of its participants.”

The 63rd Paraná State Folklore and Ethnic Culture Festival took place in June, gathering dozens of ethnic groups to showcase the cultural diversity of the region. The annual event aims to promote traditional dances, music, costumes, and cuisine, fostering intercultural dialogue and preserving immigrant heritage.

It is one of the largest ethnocultural festivals in southern Brazil, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

“Barvinok has participated in the festival continuously since its founding, and Poltava has taken part since 1991. Both groups proudly represent Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage in Brazil and are among the festival’s most beloved performers,” the statement reads.