In the charming Serra Gaúcha region, in the city of Farroupilha, lies a historical treasure that transcends time and distance. The city's old railway station, with its imposing “New Vicenza” inscription, stands as a silent guardian of the memories of the Vincentian immigrants who, at the end of the 10th century, sought a new life XNUMX thousand kilometers from their homeland.
Founded by Vincentian immigrants, the city saw the birth of an efficient railway, whose tracks still echo in the scenery.
This past Sunday (18), the history of the preservation of the emblematic station crossed borders and gained a prominent place in the pages of the The Journal of Vicenza.
Alessia Zorzan's report explores the exciting journey of Vincentian immigrants. Ferruccio Zecchin, president of the association Vicentini in Mondo, recalled the times when the railway was the backbone of the region.
Even with the transition to road transport and the disuse of the railway line, the station resisted time and change. “In the past, there was a very efficient railway and you can still see the tracks. Over time, however, the railway was switched to asphalt, and the railway line was deactivated. However, the station building remained unchanged”, the president reported to the Veneto newspaper.
The period of Second World War brought challenges, marking the transition of the name of New Vicenza all with Farroupilha.
The Brazilian government, in a measure related to the conflict, banned the public use of the Italian language, restricting it to the domestic sphere. This prohibition was reflected in the toponymy, and Nova Vicenza gave way to Farroupilha.
However, despite the changes, the station preserves the essence of local history. Zecchin suggests the possibility of strengthening ties between the cities, proposing a Friendship Pact between Farroupilha, in Rio Grande do Sul, and Vicenza, in Veneto.
With approximately 70 thousand inhabitants, the city of Rio Grande do Sul is home to a significant percentage of Italian descendants, mainly Vincentians. According to the president of the Vicentini nel Mondo association, between “40-45% of the people (in Farroupinha) have Italian origins, and to a large extent Vincentian origins”, describes Zecchin.
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