In the 1940s, more than 200,000 Latvians fled their beloved homeland and the Soviet occupation, many ending up in Germany where the Allies set up displaced persons camps to resettle people uprooted by the war.
Alberts Legzdins had a dream to put together a play about the DP camp where he spent six years of his youth and learned to appreciate his Latvian heritage, and after years of hard work, his vision has become a reality with an emotionally charged musical play called "Eslingena."
Located in southern Germany, Esslingen was the largest Latvian DP camp , where over 6,000 Latvians lived and maintained their national traditions. It was a close-knit community with its own school, theater, sports clubs and cultural activities. In 1947 it also held the first Latvian Song Festival outside of Latvia.
Under the vigorous direction of Gunars Verenieks, this musical vibrantly recreates a slice of Latvian history. Legzdins' collaboration with author Andris Ritmanis has produced a moving libretto and Emmy-award recipient Lolita Ritmanis has composed and orchestrated inspirational music that guides this show along. An enthusiastic cast of 53 people from the USA and Canada deliver a unique theatrical experience to be remembered for years to come. "Eslingena" is a must see. o
Latvian National Theater
2 Kronvalda Blvd.
July 14, 15 's 7 p.m.
July 16 's 12 p.m., 7 p.m.
Tickets: from 2 lats
(2.80 euros)
www.bilesuparadize.lv
