Refuge in the Collection of the Immigration Museum
An Investigation into Documentary Traces from World War II
Documento de identidade de Anochin Nikolaj (1948)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
The phenomenon of refuge as a migratory trend post-World War II generated a variety of documentary sources that remain relevant to this day, contributing to the preservation of significant aspects related to this context of displacement.
The rise of extremist regimes in Europe decimated and displaced millions of people, and with the end of World War II, many survivors wished to start their lives anew in other nations.
Brazil's involvement during this period stemmed from the desire to participate in international community efforts. In collaboration with the International Refugee Organization (I.R.O.), the country committed to receiving and providing support to refugees from the conflict.
Mapeamento de imigrantes deslocados de guerra localizados no estado de São Paulo (1947/1952)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
The refugees arriving at Brazilian ports were directed to the Provisional Immigrants Inn of Campo Limpo Paulista, which operated from 1947 to 1952 in converted old coffee warehouses. Passage through the building represented an opportunity for employment in the country.
Despite its long history of receiving immigrants since 1887, the Immigrant Inn of Brás, where the Immigration Museum is now located, had its original function modified during World War II due to the installation of the aviation mechanics school.
Gráfico de deslocados de guerra matriculados na Hospedaria provisória de Campo Limpo (1947/1952)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
The museum collection of the Immigration Museum stands out for its remarkable heterogeneity, consisting of over 12,000 objects of various dimensions, material compositions, and distinct origins.
Alojamento de imigrantes em Campo Limpo (1947/1952)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Included in this collection are pieces from the Immigrant Inn of Brás, as well as donations from families descended from migrants.
The documentation produced by the Campo Limpo Immigrant Inn forms part of this collection.
The documents showcased in this exhibition have been digitized for the first time and bear witness to the trajectories of refugees in post-World War II Brazil, playing a crucial role in the identification and permission for entry into Brazilian territory.
The exhibition invites reflection on the universality of the search for a home and the bureaucracy that surrounds this displacement, highlighting that, despite temporal and geographical differences, the refugee experience transcends borders and remains a testament to human resilience in the face of adversity.
About the documents in this exhibition
Formal certificates, often issued by international organizations, serve as tangible marks of the official recognition of refugee status, while other records represent temporary passports, acting as a 'free pass' for crossing borders.
In broad terms, this Certificate of Identity produced by the International Refugee Organization (IRO) was used as a temporary document until a permanent international travel record could be issued, without affecting the nationality of the bearer.
Certificado de identidade de Gertrude Kutras (Década de 40)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Physical characteristics as well as photographs were attached to the document, preventing it from being used by another person.
Verso de Certificado de identidade de Gertrude Kutras (Década de 40)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Stamp of the Campo Limpo Guest House
The various stamps on the back of these documents represented the complexity of the immigrants' journey and the places they passed through.
Certificado de identidade de Lydia Rogatschenko e sua filha Lucy (Década de 40)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Verso de Laissez-Passer de Marja Torczynska (Década de 40)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Laissez-Passer de Marja Torczynska (Década de 40)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Laissez-Passer was a document produced during World War II to allow war-displaced individuals to travel through territories under German occupation.
Verso de Laissez-Passer de Marja Torczynska (Década de 40)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
"Data from the I. R. O. indicates that in July 1947, there were approximately 1,000,000 refugees in Germany and Austria, occupied by Allied forces. Of these, the vast majority did not wish to return to their home regions." - Odair da Cruz Paiva
Caderneta de identidade de Helene Ulitin (Década de 40)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
The nationality of Helene, recorded as 'stateless,' refers to the condition of individuals not recognized by any state, whether it be the country of their birth or residence, with the possibility that these could be the same or different locations.
Caderneta de identidade de Filip Halas (1947)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Envelope de carta enviada para Lucien Tedeschi (1963)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
The displacement from the perspective of refuge produced records not only in formal documents, but letters sent in the post-war period demonstrate that the impacts of a conflict endure for a long time.
Carta endereçada a Lucien Tedeschi (1963)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
In this letter sent from Hyères, France, on 15/03/1963, Monsieur Gregóire Julien writes to Lucien Tedeschi.
In it, Gregóire inquires about his friend, asks about the work situation, and seeks to learn about Lucien's thoughts.
Verso de carta endereçada a Lucien Tedeschi (1963)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
Share a bit about life plans and love life. Gregóire mentions that he is currently in France but intends to return to Brazil as soon as he can save enough money.
He concludes the letter by asking for news about his friend, stating that it would bring him happiness.
This plate was donated by Tamara Kalinin and belonged to Maria Zotz, daughter of Russian immigrants, born in Ivanica, Yugoslavia. During World War II, she was a prisoner in the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, and subjected to forced labor in a wire factory. While staying in Kufstein, she worked for the UNRA (United Nations Refugee Association) and the IRO (International Refugee Organization).
After the war, she lived in the refugee camp in Kufstein, Austria, until 1948 when she immigrated to Brazil. Here, Maria resided for a certain period in the Immigrants Inn of Ilha das Flores, and later in Campo Limpo Paulista.
Detalhes de prato de sobremesa de oficial alemão da Segunda Guerra Mundial Saqueado por Maria Zotz (1945)Immigration Museum of the State of São Paulo
The act of acquisition as a symbolic subversion transcends mere material obtainment, invoking a conscious challenge to the prevailing structures of power. When reinterpreted, it becomes a vehicle for critical reflection on the events surrounding it.
GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO
Tarcísio de Freitas
Governor of the State of São Paulo
Felicio Ramuth
Vice Governor
Marília Marton
Secretary of State for Culture and Creative Economy
INSTITUTE OF PRESERVATION AND DIFFUSION OF THE HISTORY OF COFFEE AND IMMIGRATION
Alessandra Almeida
Executive Director
Thiago Santos
Administrative Director
Caroline Feijo Nóbrega
Communications and Institutional Development Manager
Daniel Correa
Administrative Manager
César Pimenta
Infrastructure Coordinator
Henrique Trindade
Training and Educational Coordinator
Otávio Balager
Preservation Coordinator
Thiago Haruo
Research Coordinator
Thâmara Malfatti
Institutional Communications Coordinator
Refuge Records in the Collection of the Immigration Museum
Curatorship, Collection Research, Content and text Production
Bianca Alves
Gabriela Araújo
Henrique Trindade
Special gratitude to all the dedicated teams at the Immigration Museum whose collaboration was instrumental during this project
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