FROM HERE AND THERE, from Slovenia to Brazil

For those who came to Brazil in 1960, inauguration of Brasilia, end of the JK era, beginning of the automotive industry, election of Jânio Quadros with broom, of a socialist Yugoslavia, making a reflection of such a radical change is almost an obligation. While the country where I came from disappeared, and the piece of where we are became, with its 25,000 km2 and two million inhabitants, an independent country, Slovenia, going through an armed conflict and a separation process, Brazil stayed where it always was: there was no external conflict and not a millimeter of territory moved. And a place without war has a lot of value.

There, Slovenia joined the EU, NATO, military alliance, and all multilateral institutions, managing not only to chair the UN Security Council twice, and the EU itself, but to be highlighted in these days at the conference on the sea in France, according to the newspaper Le Monde, even though it has only 42 km of coastline. Brazil has 8,500 km, plus the largest river in the world.

Comparing a territorial giant like Brazil with a country where politicians and even diplomats always insist on saying "we are small" does not lead anywhere. But there are some realities that shape the future, which can serve for reflection.

The first Slovenes arrived in Brazil 140 years ago. The country still receives immigrants today, but even so its population of 210 million is aging. And there are 4 million Brazilians abroad. Two percent of the population. In Slovenia of 2.1 million inhabitants, 10% are foreigners. And a good part, Muslims. And there are 500,000 Slovenians living in 137 countries, a fifth of their population. And there is a lack of labor. Thus, the country imports Filipinos, Catholics.

The geopolitical vulnerability of a country embedded between East and West Europe, 500 km from the Ukraine conflict, and totally dependent on international trade and tourism, is very different from a continental Brazil. Sneeze in Moscow or cold in the German economy feel like earthquakes in Slovenia. And in Brazil? Almost nothing. The independence of decision-making in Brazil, even taking into account international scenarios, is very different from those who are in the European Union, where the bureaucrats there rule more in their municipality than the mayor. And now you have to increase your military budget to 5% of GDP and thus reduce your social spending.

It's not just the economy and politics that define how to live. But your people. And if you had to emigrate, then choosing Brazil was an excellent option. Thanks to my parents who made this choice and thanks to the Brazilians for welcoming us. We don't let roots have, but we plant new trees. And we plant. La dor va dor.