Volga Germans in Argentina: Preserving History Through Food, Games, and Faith

In the southern Buenos Aires province, near Coronel Suárez, three colonies stand as living testaments to the Volga German heritage. These communities, established in the late 19th century, continue to preserve the customs of their ancestors, who migrated from Germany or the Volga River region of Russia. Their enduring legacy is evident in their traditional cuisine, games, and religious observances.

A prominent example of this cultural preservation is the game of kösser, a unique bone-throwing competition. Players, like Hipólito “Poli” Stremel and Omar Serafín “Lucho” Rauch of the "Los Entusiastas del Kösser" group, skillfully toss a lead-weighted horse bone to knock down unweighted bones representing an army. This game, reminiscent of tejo but focused on destruction rather than proximity, connects them to their grandparents' traditions and even sparks friendly rivalries with colonies in La Pampa, with prizes often being simple items like lounge chairs or mate sets.

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The Carrara marble altar was as expensive as 600 hectares of land.

The architectural landscape of these colonies also tells a story. Each features a central boulevard, often with a prominent house once belonging to the customs official, and a church. The Santísima Trinidad parish in Colonia 1, though sharing a single priest with two other communities, showcases original houses with characteristic wooden ceilings, small windows, and side doors, reflecting a practical lifestyle devoid of unnecessary spaces like living rooms. Colonia 2, San José, boasts a particularly striking church consecrated to Saint Joseph the Worker, built with community contributions and featuring marble altars and distinctive stained-glass windows.

These colonies, known as "kerbs" during their patronal festivals, maintain distinct identities. Colonia 2 celebrates in May, Colonia 3 in September, and Colonia 1 in October. While friendly rivalries exist over football, music, and culinary skills, a shared sense of community prevails. Lucía Schwindt, an acolyte from Colonia 2, highlights the intricate details of their church, noting the Carrara marble altar and the unusual peacock motifs, and shares insights into the local dynamics, including her marriage to someone from Colonia 3, underscoring the interconnectedness of these vibrant cultural enclaves.

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The main thing is the stained-glass windows with the donor family's name.