The Keys ep30 Latvian Identity in Exile
Latvia’s population has been depleted by continuous waves of emigration. There are currently 370,000 people of Latvian origin living outside the country, one-sixth of the nation. The most successful guardians of the Latvian identity were World War II refugees and their offspring. They left Latvia heavy-hearted because they did not feel bitterness, but longing for their homeland.
The 2×2 youth camp is one of the most longstanding traditions of the exile Latvians. It began almost 60 years ago in the USA and is now carried on in Latvia. What kind of effort did expat Latvians put into maintaining their roots? Perhaps, none – maybe they did it out of joy?
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