The Ukrainian language has become official in the municipality of Prudentopolis in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil, the World Congress of Ukrainians (UWC) announced the day before.

«Ukrainian has become the official language of the municipality of Prudentopolis in Brazil. The bill was unanimously supported by all deputies present at the October 5, 2021 meeting,» the UWC said. Friendly relations with the Ternopil region, where most Ukrainian immigrants came to Brazil.

«The new law will open up new opportunities for exchanging professionals, educating young people at the university level in Ukraine or electronically, remotely,» the UWC added.

According to the Ukrainian embassy, Ukrainian immigration to Brazil began more than 125 years ago and is divided into three time waves: the first – from the last quarter of the XIX century. Before the First World War, the second – the period between the First and Second World Wars, the third – the period after the Second World War.

According to available data, about 500,000 ethnic Ukrainians currently live in Brazil, including 400,000 in Paraná. The largest cities of compact residence of Ukrainians in the state are: Prudentopolis (38 thousand), Curitiba (33 thousand), Uniao da Vitoria (26.4 thousand).