The Embassy of Ukraine in the Federative Republic of Brazil received an official delegation from the municipality of Itapoá (State of Santa Catarina), marking another important step in strengthening Ukrainian-Brazilian ties at the regional level.
The delegation included Mayor of Itapoá Jefinho Garcia, First Lady Denise Mertens Garcia, Secretary of Government and Ports Elaine Alves, Councilor Ademar Ribas do Valle Filho, and business community representative Ivandro Geraldo de Souza from the Joinville Business Association.
The visit took place as part of the delegation’s stay in Brazil’s capital to participate in the Solemn Session of the Federal Senate dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Port of Itapoá—one of the country’s most successful logistics projects. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the municipality representatives also visited the Embassy of Ukraine to discuss prospects for cooperation and the deepening of contacts between the Ukrainian and Brazilian sides.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to the economic potential of Itapoá and the strategic importance of its port. Today, the Port of Itapoá is one of Brazil’s leading private container terminals and the undisputed leader in freight transportation in the country’s Southern region. Thanks to modern infrastructure, a high level of operational efficiency, innovative logistics solutions, and a responsible attitude toward the environment, the port has become an important transport hub connecting Brazil with markets in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
A separate topic of discussion was the Ukrainian community, which has made a significant contribution to the development of the northern region of Santa Catarina state over many years. The municipality representatives noted the role of Ukrainians in the cultural, religious, and entrepreneurial life of the region, as well as the importance of preserving historical heritage and intercultural dialogue.
The cultural sphere occupied an equally important place in the meeting. The delegation presented successful municipal initiatives supporting art and music. Itapoá holds the honorary title of the musical capital of Santa Catarina and actively implements the Plano Foral program—a municipal policy for cultural development aimed at supporting musicians, composers, and creative youth. Thanks to this program, new opportunities are created for the professional development of artists and the promotion of musical art among the population.
The pride of the city is also the Itapoá Jazz Festival—a large-scale, free festival of instrumental music that has already become an integral part of the municipality’s cultural calendar and attracts jazz lovers from various parts of Brazil.
Following the meeting, the Embassy of Ukraine expressed gratitude to the delegation for the visit and confirmed its readiness to further develop partnerships with Brazilian municipalities. Such contacts not only strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between the two states, but also contribute to the preservation of historical ties between Ukraine and the large Ukrainian community in Brazil.
The visit of the Itapoá delegation served as a vivid example of how local initiatives, international cooperation, and cultural dialogue can create new opportunities for regional development and the strengthening of friendship between nations.
Author: Olena Zhukova
Photo: from the author’s archive