Přesídlenci z Vojvodova a Svaté Heleny v argentinském Chacu
Resettlers from Vojvodovo and Svatá Helena in the Argentine Chaco

Summary/Abstract: Shaped by economic pressure, limited access to land, and strong religious traditions, groups of Czech settlers from Svatá Helena in Romania and Vojvodovo in Bulgaria joined a broader migration wave to Argentina between 1928 and 1931, establishing new lives in the Chaco region around Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña. The study examines a little-known chapter of Czech diaspora history, documenting the migration of approximately 210 individuals and highlighting the challenges they faced in adapting to a harsh environment, unfamiliar climate, and demanding agricultural conditions. Drawing on archival records, historical sources, and testimonies preserved by descendants, it reconstructs the experiences of migrant families who initially worked as laborers before acquiring their own farms. Particular attention is devoted to the role of Protestant faith in sustaining community cohesion and shaping collective identity. The article also explores the foundation and development of the Czech Brethren congregation, later incorporated into the Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica, emphasizing the influence of missionary Gottlob (Teófilo) Kowal and local religious leaders. Personal narratives reveal both the hardships and aspirations that motivated migration, including hopes for economic advancement and preserving religious life. By connecting family histories with broader migration processes, the study enriches understanding of transnational Czech settlement networks spanning Romania, Bulgaria, and Argentina. Ultimately, it sheds light on an overlooked yet significant episode in the history of Central European migrations to Latin America and the enduring legacy of these communities in Argentine Chaco.

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