Guide to the Evalds Dajevskis Papers M2945
processed by Natasha Porfirenko from Peteris Dajevskis' organization and notes
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2024
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
Fax Number: (650) 723-8690
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Evalds Dajevskis papers
Identifier/Call Number: M2945
Physical Description:
22 Linear Feet
(32 boxes, one oversize folder)
Date (inclusive): circa 1914 - 1990
Abstract: Evalds Dajevskis (1914-1990) was a Latvian artist and theater set designer.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials
are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was given by Peteris Dajevskis to Stanford University Special Collections in 2023. Accession 2023-231.
The archive documented in this finding aid was compiled and organized by Peteris Dajevskis. It was donated to Stanford University's
Department of Special Collections and University Archives in July 2023. In addition to printed matter, photographs and publications,
the collection includes 4x5 color transparencies and 35mm slides of the artist's works that were professionally photographed
by Rick Echelmeyer of West Chester, Pennsylvania in the early 1990s. These transparencies represent the vast majority of the
artist's paintings that were contained in the Dajevskis estate at the time of the artist's death. In the early 2000s, a considerable
number of the artist's concept sketches for various theater projects were photographed digitally by the photographer Vidvuds
Mednis for the exhibition app that was being developed for the interpretive exhibit
Evalds Dajevskis: Art, Place and Identity.
The collection is divided into 19 separate series. In addition to these files pertinent to the Evalds Dajevskis story, supplemental
material provides photographs and other materials about the Latvian DP experience at the Esslingen DP camp in the American
zone and others. These additional materials were given to Peteris Dajevskis over several decades for safekeeping by various
elderly Latvian community members living in the United States. They had maintained records about their own DP and immigrant
experiences. This material provides additional context about the Latvian DP experience in Germany.
Books from the artist's private library, pertaining to famous American scenographers that he admired, costume design as well
as other resources materials relevant to the artist's creative activity are to be individually catalogued and will be available
via Searchworks.
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
[identification of item], Evalds Dajevskis papers (M2945). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
The series of documents, photographs and assorted publications contained in this collection are organized in accordance with
the follow main groupings and main topics:
SERIES 1. Artist's autobiographical essay, personal documents, and various profiles of the artist's career. Includes: biographical
articles in publications, listing of artist's teachers, CV from DP era seeking work abroad, work in the theater upon immigration.
An associated file in the 1.0 series also includes documentation of the career of actress Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis, the artist's
wife.
An additional file provides biographical information and photos documenting the career of Latvian theater director Osvalds
Uršteins, a life-long friend and colleague of Dajevskis. The two friends collaborated closely at the Meerbeck Latvian Theater
in Germany and later on manyof the theatrical productions of the American Latvian Theater (ALT) company.
SERIES 2. Overview of Latvian theater history. Contains history of 20th century Latvian theater during the exile period
as documented by Helga Gobzine Dajevskis, actress and E. Dajevskis' wife.
SERIES 3. Design for the stage: Latvia and the Meerbeck Latvian Theater period including tours of DP camp venues by the theater
company. The company's mobile stage designed to carry sets and actors to performances at DP camps in the British zone and
some camps in the American zone is featured.
SERIES 4. American-Latvian Theater performances, 1950-1988.
SERIES 5. Design for Latvian Song Festivals & other cultural institution projects, 1958-1988.
SERIES 6. Set design by Evalds Dajevskis for thr animated film, Hansel and Gretel, produced by Michael Myerberg Productions,
New York, 1950s.
SERIES 7. E. Dajevskis' work for Broadway scenery studios and other design firms.
SERIES 8. Evalds Dajevskis: Group and solo exhibitions, retrospective shows, reviews, and publications.
SERIES 9. Writing, correspondence, travel and visual impressions by the artist.
SERIES 10. Prints of Evalds Dajevskis' paintings and related photo research.
SERIES 11. Color transparencies (4x5 format) of Evalds Dajevskis' paintings and set designs.
SERIES 12. Color transparencies (35mm format) and filmstrips of Evalds Dajevskis work.
SERIES 13. Evalds Dajevskis' concept sketches and visualization for paintings, art history research and documentation of other
resource materials used by the artist.
SERIES 14. Historical reference materials related to the Latvian immigration experience.
SERIES 15. Audio/Visual materials (organized in chronological order by date of production).
SERIES 16. Publications organized in three subsets:
16.1 Dust cover designs (entire books provided) and other books illustrated by
Evalds Dajevskis;
16.2 Publications that address design for the theater and other publications of particular significance/inspiration for the
artist;
16.3 Books relating to Latvian and Baltic theater history, playwrights and artists.
SERIES 17. Scripts for plays produced by the American Latvian Theater, Washington, DC
SERIES 18. Materials related to the Esslingen Assembly Center, Germany and life in other DP camps plus the story of Latvian
immigration to the US.
SERIES 19. Awards, posters, oversize prints and letters of commendation
Preliminary organization of this collection was accomplished by Peter Dajevskis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July, 2023.
The collection contains the papers, stage design documentation, photographs, theatrical ephemera and other materials related
to Evalds Dajevskis' life and career as a scenographer. The collection offers a profile of Dajevskis' life in Latvia during
the formative years of his career. Examples of his stage design for his early career assignments include working on scenography
for various smaller theater companies in Riga and other regional theaters. Color transparencies of this work were obtained
from several Latvian museum archives researched by Peteris Dajevskis after his father's death in 1990.
The collection has substantial documentation of Dajevskis' work as a scenographer for the Meerbeck Latvian Theater, which
was a traveling theater company of actors in the Displaced Persons (DP) camps of post-World War II Germany. Based in the British
Zone of occupation, Dajevskis was an exhibition designer for a Baltic Arts and Crafts exhibition held at the headquarters
of the British Army of the Rhine in Bad-Oeynhausen, Germany May 24-30, 1948. Other one-man and group exhibitions and one-man
shows are documented from 1947 and earlier. Photos of other important Latvian artists involved in exhibition planning are
documented.
Story of the emigre Latvian theater -- Germany and the United States
The collection reflects the history of the Latvian emigre theater and the role that it played during the post-war era. At
first, the theater served as a way of professional actors maintaining their craft with some hope that Latvia would regain
its independence, but it also served as a mechanism of fostering Latvian cultural identity and providing entertainment for
refugees during the challenging gray camp years. The formation of the Meerbeck Latvian Theater in 1945 is well represented,
and a wide range of plays performed by the company is documented with programs, photographs and reviews. As immigration to
the United States became possible with the signing of the Displaced Persons Act of 1948 by President Harry S. Truman, the
collection highlights the immigration process to the United States and the formation of the New York Latvian Theater in Brooklyn,
New York in 1949. Two years after formation, the New York Latvian theater was renamed the American Latvian Theater company
as it reached out to wider Latvian audiences in major cities along the east coast and as far west to venues in Cleveland,
Detroit, Chicago, Lincoln, Nebraska and even Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The theater traveled to locations where groups of
immigrant Latvians had homes with their sponsors from around the United States.
During this time the Rev. Richards Zariņš (see his collection at https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11057177), served as
pastor for the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of New York. He provided significant leadership to the Latvian community
of post-WWII refugees arriving at the port of New York. Pastor Zariņš provided a base of operations for the newly arrived
theatre professionals as well who recently arrived in New York from Germany's DP camps. The Church's parish hall in Brooklyn's
Park Slope section was made available to the Latvian theater director Osvalds Uršteins. It offered essential rehearsal space
for the newly formed theater troupe. The company's first production was Ķīnas vāze (China Vase), a comedy written by the Latvian
playwright Mārtiņš Zīverts. The first performance of the play occurred on January 8, 1950 at Arlington Hall in the East Greenwich
Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City.
Immigration to the United States
Evalds Dajevskis joined the newly formed company as its scenographer upon immigrating to the United States with his family
in May, 1951. The Dajevskis collection provides a record of nearly all of the theater programs of the new theater company
under the direction of the company's director, Osvalds Uršteins. All American Latvian Theater (ALT) performances were held
in the Latvian language. Evalds Dajevskis' work as a scenographer played a critical role creating professionally designed
sets that contributed significantly to the success of the company as it performed for American Latvian audiences. The theater
company enhanced the Latvian immigrant experience and played a significant role in cultural life of Latvian émigré society
over a period of 40 years. It took time for many immigrants to obtain a foothold within the broader context of American society
and the theater played a key role in providing a familiar context that connected to the familiar Latvian language and drama
through medium of theater.
Evalds Dajevskis earned his living as a set designer and artist for film and Broadway productions. He concurrently he volunteered
to provide design and set production services for Latvian theater projects as well as other cultural projects in the United
States where his talents as an artist were called for. As Dajevskis became associated with several prominent New York scenery
studios, including Pete Feller Scenery Studios and Nolan Scenery Studios, he executed scenery for many production including
a number of Tony award winning shows that earned best set design awards. In addition to Broadway productions, Dajevskis executed
sets for the New York City Ballet Company including the well-known George Balanchine Nutcracker production viewed at the New
York State Theater, Lincoln Center. He also worked for the Metropolitan Opera Association's scenery studios at Lincoln Center
for a number of years. The experience of working for major New York scenery studios gave Dajevskis invaluable experience
to acquire contemporary approaches to produce sets. These experiences were then transferred by Dajevskis to theater productions
of the American Latvian Theater.
Design for the American Latvian Theater & Easel Painting
This collection is probably the most extensive archive of Latvian émigré theater history involving professional artists who
immigrated to the United States. Substantial amounts of design work created by Dajevskis for the American Latvian Theater's
three ensembles (New York, Washington and Boston) were organized by the artist in 1989-1990 soon after he was diagnosed with
stomach cancer.
Upon Dajevskis' death in June 1990, additional documentation about the life of the artist and his work was researched and
documented by his son Peteris Dajevskis. This included professional photography of nearly the entire collection of the artist's
original works left in the artist's estate. This included over 200 items of original paintings and a substantial collection
of the artist's sketches and archives assembled during his DP years in Germany. Materials related to the ALT developed over
a period of nearly 40 years after immigration to the United States are included.
To provide an interpretive perspective of the artist's career and work, his son developed an exhibit at the Latvian Embassy
in Washington D.C. showing iconic examples of the artist's work. An on-line application was developed for the show which served
as a catalog to help younger audiences obtain a better understanding of the artist's life placed in cultural-historical context.
The artworks featured both the artist's DP and US experiences. The initial show opened in fall 2012 at the art gallery of
the Republic of Latvia's Embassy to the United States. Later the exhibit traveled to the Latvian Cultural Center in Three
Rivers, Michigan (known as Garezers) and later was exhibited at Philadelphia's Latvian Society of Free Letts. Together the
three shows were billed as a farewell tour.
In 2014, the exhibit traveled to the Liepaja Museum in Latvia featuring a more encompassing retrospective anniversary show
to celebrate the artist's 100th birthday on May 28th. Over 200 original paintings by Dajevskis were donated to the museum
by the artist's son. Additional paintings from private collections in the United States were gifted to the museum. The Liepaja
exhibit featured several paintings that the artist created in the early 1940s and were already part of the museum's collection.
Proceedings from a one-day conference that was organized by the Liepaja Museum held on May 29th, 2014 were published by the
museum in 2022. The proceedings were published with the financial support of Latvia's Cultural Capital Foundation in association
with the City of Liepaja. A copy of the proceedings entitled Ēvalds Dajevskis. Māksla, Vieta un Identitāte (Evalds Dajevskis:
Art, Place and Identity) has been donated to the Stanford Libraries.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Painters -- Latvia -- Biography
Theater -- Set design
Set designers
Latvian-Americans
Set designers -- Latvia
Box 1, folder 1
Autobiographical essay, profile of artist, 1940s CV, career documentation from assortment of sources
E. Dajevskis original confirmation document from 1934. Profile of artist's life story organized in three parts: Latvia, Germany
DP years and in the United States. Autobiographical essay (with drafts) written by the artist, originally in Latvian with
English translation by his son Peteris Dajevskis. Profiles from other sources. Curriculum Vitae from DP years. Basic facts
about one-man shows, handwritten by artist for publication. Profiles of the artist's teachers at the Liepaja School of Art
under whom the artist studied. Berlin State Opera house profile where the artist was sent to study contemporary theater technology.
Profile of US Navy troop carrier ship, the General R.M. Blatchford on which the artist and his family immigrated to the United
States on May 28, 1951 in New York City. Booklet summarizing artist's career published by the artist in 1982 with support
from the American Latvian Theater to accompany a retrospective exhibit created by E. Dajevskis on Latvian theater history
in exile. Contains biographical information.
Box 1, folder 2
Childhood years. Group photos with theater companies during early career & other life events between 1930-1944 1930-1944
Photos from childhood years including photo of artist as a young boy (far right) living in Riga with a minister's family and
in elementary school. Image of artist's mother and a series of group photos with members of various Latvian theater companies
and at other life events between 1930-1944. Images of wife and son in Germany DP camps. Photo of pianist Hugo Strauss -
pushing baby carriage -- and godfather to artist's son Peteris Dajevskis. Cartoon style letter by artist describing his experiences
taking caring of his son as his wife and actress was on tour of DP camps with Meerbeck Latvian Theater performances. Photo
of Helga Dajevskis as godmother at a baptismal ceremony (holding Andra Lagzdins), daughter of actress Nina Melbārde and Kārlis
Lagzdinš.
Box 1, folder 3-4
Photographs of the artist at the easel, at home & on the stage in the United States, 1950s to the 1980s 1950-1980
Photographs of the artist at his easel, at home in the 1950s through the 1980s. Also European gothic architecture study travels
in the 1960s and at leisure in Westbrook, CT (1950s) and at his Adirondacks mountain property in Upstate New York (Clemons),
1970s and with colleagues and friends.
Evalds Dajevskis photographic observations related to his Latvia travel in 1988 after returning to Riga 44 years after having
left Latvia. Dajevskis is distraught by the physical decay of buildings throughout Riga that he encounters during his visit
as a result of the impact of the Soviet occupation.
Box 1, folder 5
Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis, wife of Dajevskis & actress with National Theater of Latvia, Meerbeck Latvian Theater & the American Latvian Theater. Autobiographical profile
Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis, wife of Evalds Dajevskis. Actress with the National Theater of Latvia. Autobiographical profile of
her life on the stage and the impact of war & immigration. A professional reciter of poetry. Examples of poetry delivered
to audiences in the United States included. Accomplished singer who participated in the Meerbeck Latvian Choir and singing
parts in theater.
Box 2, folder 1
Osvalds Ursteins & family, theater director, colleague & head of Voice of America, Eastern European Division
Osvalds Uršteins, director, colleague and life-long friend of Evalds Dajevskis and his wife/actress Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis.
Other theater colleagues from the Meerbeck theater (DP era in Germany) and the American Latvian Theater including his wife
and Latvian National Theater actress Hilda Prince-Uršteins.
Box 2, folder 2
Evalds Dajevskis funeral, condolences, obituary articles & related articles 1990
Language of Material: English.
Series 2. Dajevskis' Latvian Theater History: Early 20th century Latvia and the "DP" Period
Language of Material: English.
Box 2, folder 3-4
History of theater in Latvia: early 20th century and post WWII era in DP camps. Lecture notes by Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis for "2x2" Seminar, Bolton, Ontario, Canada 1981
History of theater in Latvia: early 20th century and post WWII era in DP camps. Lecture notes prepared by Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis
for a summer seminar known as "2x2 Camp" organbuzed for young adults in Bolton, Massachusetts, 1981 [in Latvian]. Article
on the impact of the Soviet Occupation on the Art World in Latvia, 1940-1999 by Jānis Kalnačs [in Latvian]. Various articles
about the Soviet Occupation of Latvia.
Box 2, folder 5
Booklet accompanying 1982 exhibition by Dajevskis telling the history of the Latvian theater in Germany's DP camps 1982
Booklet (20 p.) accompanying 1982 exhibition developed by Dajevskis presenting the history of the Latvian theater in post-War
Germany's displaced persons (DP) camps. Focus on artist's scenography and painting and career upon immigration to the United
States. Text by Alfreds Straumanis, Professor of Theater at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. [Inscription by the
artist to his son Peteris Dajevskis and daughter in-law, Ann Clausen, for their assistance in the development of this exhibition].
Published with Latvian and English texts by the American Latvian Theater, Washington, DC.
Original notes by artist for an interpretive exhibit about the Latvian theater, post-WWII era DP camps and experiences after
immigration to the United States. Notes by Evalds Dajevskis with edits by Nora Valters, Brooklyn, NY, 1982. Traveling exhibit
opened in 1982 with support from the American Latvian Theater (ALT).
Box 2, folder 6
Album by E. Dajevskis commemorating 1982 Latvian DP theater history exhibition given to lighting designer 1982
Catalog for Latvian theater history exhibition sponsored by the American Latvian Theater (ALT) company. Presented by Dajevskis
to Laimonis Zariņš, lighting designer for the ALT, expressing appreciation for the work Zariņš accomplished for the traveling
retrospective exhibit. Written correspondence between Dajevskis and Mr. Zariņš and additional commentary by Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis.
Series 3. Design for the Stage: Early Career in Latvia and sets for the Meerbeck Latvian Theater in the post-war DP era in Germany
Language of Material: English.
Box 3, folder 1
Documentation of scenography by Evalds Dajevskis for theater and ballet performances in Latvia 1930-1944
Documentation of scenography by Dajevskis for theater and ballet performances in Latvia, 1930-1944. Reproductions of set designs
and views of performances in the cities of Riga, Valmiera, and Liepāja. Includes reproductions of original Dajevskis' works
sourced from the collections of the Literature and Music Museum in Rīga.
Box 3, folder 2
Documentation of founding of the Latvian Theater of Meerbeck 1945
Founding of the Latvian Theater of Meerbeck as WWII came to an end in 1945. Documentation of the start-up of the theater company
in a displaced persons camp (DP) in Germany (British Zone) in 1945. Includes by-laws created by the theater company (typed
copy) with the actual original document packaged separately (mounted on board by Dajevskis].
Set of newspaper clippings from the 1940s and articles about the theater company's performances as it performed at the DP
camps of Germany. [in Latvian].
Photocopies of reviews of the Meerbeck Theater Company's performances of Shakespeare's
Twelfth Night in 1946 including for the high command of the British Army of the Rhine (From an issue of the DP era magazine
The New Word by D. Thomas - in English).
Box 3, folder 3
Photos of Meerbeck Theater production staff at work, 1940 to 1949. Views of life in the DP camps 1940-1949
Begins with an article by the English critic Denis Thomas with his impressions of the performance of
Twelfth Night by the Meerbeck Latvian Theater. The article is published in Issue II of
The New Word, 1946. The section continues with a photo of the town of Meerbeck, Germany, in the mid-1940s. Photographs show Dajevskis
and his technical support personnel during the production phases of Twelfth Night in 1945-46.
Musical performances by noted opera and classical music artists including Herta Lūse and Ludmilla Sepe and Paula Brīvkalne.
Autographed program by soprano Paula Brīvkalne from a performance with the Stuttgart State Opera included. Small autograph
books from 1947, probably given to Dajevskis by Kārlis Bērziņš of Philadelphia, PA.
View of General Dwight D. Eisenhower meeting with Latvian representatives during his tour of DP camps. Views of concert performances
in Meerbeck. Photos of Latvian refugees emigrating from Germany to the United States via the port of Bremerhaven.
Box 3, folder 4
"Dreadnaught" tours truck & programs for Meerbeck Latvian Theater performances, 1945-1949 and actor caricatures 1945-1949
Includes a general profile of the cast, caricatures and images of the "Dreadnaught" truck that formerly served as a former
British army military ambulance (Renault). The ambulance was converted by Dajevskis to haul scenery as well as the traveling
company of actors with stage props to DP camp venues throughout the British Zone of occupation. Photos of the company on the
road included. While most performances occurred in the British Zone, occasional performances traveled to the Esslingen DP
camp and a few other venues in the American Zone in southern Germany.
Box 3, folder 5
Views of touring "Dreadnaught" theater truck and DP camp performances by Meerbeck Latvian Theater 1945-1949
Includes documentation of programs and photos from the Meerbeck Theater productions of
Sarkangalvīte [Little Red Riding Hood];
Kazanova's Mētelis [Casanova's Mantle]; photos from
Divkauja & Sievas māte [The Duel & The Mother in Law];
No Saldenās pudeles [From the Sweet Bottle]; program from
Ļaunais Gars [The Evil Spirit]; program and photos from
Vilhelms Tells [William Tell],
Inspektor's Nāk [An Inspector Calls]; and program and photos from
Pazudušais dēls [The Prodigal Son].
Box 4, folder 1
Views of Meerbeck Latvian Theater performances, 1945-1949 with Dajevskis set
Documentation provided for a 1949 film based on a play
Kāds kura nav [Someone who isn't] by Martiņs Zīverts. The film's story line focuses on a Latvian soldier who is freed from a prisoner of war camp. The new
production company Rīgas Filma was headed by producer and director Vilis Lapenieks. Upon immigrating to the United States,
Mr. Lapenieks was active in the film industry in Hollywood. The lead role for the film was played by Kārlis Lagzdiņš. The
set designer and scenic artist was Evalds Dajevskis. The movie was shown at DP camps throughout occupied post-war Germany.
Also contains views of members of the touring Meerbeck Latvian Theater Company as they relaxed during stops on the road heading
to venues in Germany. An admission ticket to a theater performance and two autograph books are included.
Box 4, folder 2
Views of performances of Oldenburg and Theater Company, Germany, 1945-1946 with Dajevskis sets
Profile of the Oldenburg Opera and Theater Company, Germany, 1945-1946. A 56 page booklet describes the history of the company,
the DP residences, and construction of the stage, a maquette and profiles of the main artists. Photos included from performances.
Reproductions of set designs include B&W prints of Dajevskis' scenography for
The Barber of Seville and
Cavalleria Rusticana. An article about the Oldenburg company was featured in the Latvian newspaper
Laiks [Time], August 1946.
Series 4. Design for Latvian Theater Performances in the United States
Box 4, folder 3
American-Latvian Theater performances 1950s
Documentation of first performance by the New York Latvian Theater (Ņujorkas Latviešu Teatris; [later renamed the American
Latvian Theater or ALT] performed at Arlington Hall, East Village, Manhattan, New York City. Includes first program [Ķīnas
Vāze] by the company. Programs included for other plays produced by the New York and Boston ensembles during the 1950s. Other
non-ALT performances indicated. Note: Performances for which Dajevskis designed scenography are indicated with [ED].
Ķīnas vāze [China Vase], ALT New York Ensemble, 1950
Trīnes grēki [The Sins of Trine]. ALT Boston Ensemble, 1950
Tvans [Fumes]. ALT New York Ensemble, 1951
Maija un and Paija. ALT New York Ensemble, 1952. [ED]. (First set design for the ALT by ED)
Viesis [Guest], ALT New York Ensemble], 1952 [ED].
Sarkanvīns [Red Wine], ALT New York Ensemble, 1953 [ED].
Tīreļpurvs [Tīrel Swamp], ALT New York Ensemble, 1953.
Labāki cilvēki [Better People], ALT New York Ensemble, 1953 [ED].
Čūska [The Snake], ALT NY Ensemble, 1954 [ED].
Sandra, ALT New York Ensemble, 1955 [ED].
Anna Kristi [Anna Christie], ALT New York Ensemble, 1956 [ED].
Seši Mazi bundzenieki [The Six Little Drummers], ALT New York Ensemble, 1956 [ED].
Program for Friends of the Latvian Theater in America production of Pēdējā Laiva [The Last Boat], 1957. [Note: This project
was developed by an independent theater group not affiliated with the ALT].
Box 4, folder 4-5
American-Latvian Theater performances 1960s
Klauns Fiasko [Clown Fiasco], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1960 [ED].
Omartija kundze [Mrs. Omarty], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1961
Dialogs Dzejā [A Dialogue in Poetry], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1962
An Evening of One-Act Plays, ALT Washington Ensemble, 1962.
Vilks Rīgā [The Wolf in Rīga], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1963 [ED].
Joks ir nopietna lieta [A Joke is a Serious Matter], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1965
Jolanta Durbe [a woman's name], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1967.
Ugunī [On Fire], Washington Ensemble (ED), 1968 [ED].
(Note: Binder includes a set of bound clippings of reviews for the "Ugunī" production; clippings set compiled by E. Dajevskis
-- appended to the back cover of Binder 4.2).
This play was a part of the Latvian Song festival held in Cleveland in June-July, 1968. Program guide for the Cleveland Song
Festival included with copy of program for Rainis' Ugunī. The play was selected expressly to celebrate the 100th anniversary
of the founding of the Latvian theater and to commemorate Latvia declaring its independence 50 years earlier in 1918.
Koklētājs un velns [The Zither Player and the Devil] - a folk ballet featuring the traditional Latvian stringed zither like
instrument known as the "kokle." Music and libretto by Bruno Skulte; choreography and dancing by the Diždancis dance company
of Toronto (Zigis Miezītis, choreographer). Set & costume design by Evalds Dajevskis, 1969 [ED]. Background information about
the Latvian zither instrument known as the "KOKLE" provided.
Box 5, folder 1-2
American-Latvian Theater performances, 1970s. Part A 1970s
Pūt vējiņi [The Gentle Winds Blow] directed by Osvalds Uršteins, July, 1970. Evalds Dajevskis created concept drawings for
the Daugavas Vanagu (Hawks of Daugava Society) theater production in Toronto but the scenery was not realized. [Note: Original
drawings are in the collection of the National History Museum of Latvia, Dauderi Division in Riga.
Bezkaunīgie veči [The Shameless Old Guys], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1971 [ED].
Tagad ir citādi. [Now it's Different], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1972 [ED].
Bez Siltām vakariņām [Without Warm Supper], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1974.
Indrāni [Indrani Farmstead], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1975.
Princese Gundega un Karalis Brusubārda [Princess Gundega and King Brusubarda], ALT New York Ensemble, 1975 [ED].
Box 5, folder 3
American-Latvian Theater performances, 1970s. Part B 1970s
Photo album including documentation of sets, programs, clippings and reviews for the following plays:
Rīgas ragana [The Witch of Rīga], produced for the Sixth Latvian Song Festival in Canada by the ALT Washington Ensemble (ED),
1976 [ED].
Trīnes grēki [The Sins of Trine]. ALT Washington Ensemble (ED), 1977.
Skroderdienas Silmačos [The Taylor Comes to Silmachi Farmstead], ALT Boston Ensemble, 1978 [ED].
Box 6, folder 1-2
American-Latvian Theater performances 1980s
Divu kungu kalps [A Servant of Two Masters - by Carlo Goldoni], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1980 [ED].
Sarkanvīns [Red Wine]. ALT Washington ensemble, 1983.
Gundega, a musical by Andrejs Jansons (music director and composer (based on a play by Anna Brigadere with Andrejs Jansons
(music director and composer). Set and costume design by ED. Performances held in New York City and at the Latvian Song Festival
in Indianapolis, Indiana, 1988 [ED].
Box 6, folder 3
"On the Road". Reflections of the Latvian émigré traveling theater company experiences
After arriving in the United States as immigrant in the early 1950s from Germany's DP camps, the members of the American Latvian
Theater quickly mobilized and traveled widely with their productions for over a period of more than 30 years. It became a
way of life. As vacations were earned in their day jobs, the ALT troupe planned their visits to various venues on the east
coast and in the Midwest to deliver performances to Latvian ethnic audiences.
Section 4.6.1 presents views of play rehearsals, loading & unloading scenery, rest stops and lunch/dinner and moments of relaxation
are documented. The company traveled to Latvian center venues in the major cities of the Northeast and Midwest.
Section 4.6.2 provides photo documentation of a visit by the American Latvian Theater company to Castagnola, Switzerland,
a village on the northern shore of Lake Lugano, Italy. The ALT Company paid tribute to a new monument that had been built
to honor the noted Latvian authors Rainis and Aspāzija. The visit during the summer of 1973 occurred after the company had
participated at the Latvian Song Festival held in Cologne, Germany. An article from the magazine "Treji Vārti" [The Three
Gates] is provided. This special issue (#43/44, 1974-1975) focuses on the literature, political science, history and the culture
of the three Baltic countries. It includes articles about the design of the Rainis/Aspāzija monument and the visit to the
monument by the ALT Company. Additional background information about the monument is written by the President of the Castagnola's
city government, Dr. Felice Solari.
Section 4.6.3 contains a 1965 transcript of a symposium held on the topic of the future of the Latvian theater in exile. The
discussion was published in the Latvian-American arts periodical Jaunā Gaita [The New Course]. Participants included: Reinis
Birzgalis, Director; Anšlavs Eglītis, author and playwright; Paula Jēger-Freimane, theater critic; Jānis Lejiņš, director;
Olģerts Parņickis, actor; Laimonis Siliņš, actor and director; Imants Sveilis; an engineer by profession and actor/director
in the Sidney Latvian Theater, Australia; and Osvalds Uršteins, director. The symposium offered multiple insights on the role
of theater in émigré life, its opportunities and its limitations during the Soviet era.
Section 4.6.4 contains a 1976 proposal to the U.S. Department of Education, prepared by Alfreds Straumanis of Southern Illinois
University on the role of folklore in ethnic drama as it relates to the Baltic experience. As a professor of theater at the
Southern Illinois University, Dr. Straumanis describes his proposed project as "training of persons in selecting, analyzing
and using the elements most indicative of ethnicity - folklore and mythology -- found in ethnic drama." A team of proposed
project advisors includes Evalds Dajevskis representing his expertise in scenography and Latvian ethnography.
Series 5. Design for Other Latvian Cultural Projects, 1958-1988
Box 6, folder 4
Other cultural projects: Design for Latvian Song festivals & altar design for NY Latvian Church, Yonkers, NY 1965
Design and production of a special stage created for the 1958 Latvian Song Festival held in New York City. Event held at the
New York State Armory in Harlem, July 3-6, 1958. Images of the Song festival planning committee with Dajevskis responsible
for the set design of the festival stage. Includes recognition award for his participation in the festival's group art show.
Song festival poster design by the Latvian artist Alfreds Krūkliņš included. Includes poster print and color 4x5 transparency.
Documentation of design and execution of sets for the Latvian song festival stage at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis,
1988. Sample photos of installation.
Views of new altar and choir/organ area design by Dajevksis for the New York Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church in Yonkers, New York.
Latvian wood architecture design elements introduced to the sanctuary as part of church building renovation/upgrade in 1965.
Booklet produced by the church's building committee with background information about the Yonkers church history, its purchase
and modifications by the Latvian community included.
Box 6, folder 5
Christmas card design in Germany DP camp & dust cover design for Gramatu Draugs publishers, Brooklyn, NY 1950s
Dajevskis designed Christmas cards during the post-WWII DP era in Germany. Other publications were produced by the TILTS magazine
publisher (Hugo Skrastins, owner) with Dajevskis as graphic designer. In the United States, He designed dust covers for Grāmatu
Draugs (Friend of Books) publishing in Brooklyn. German language publications about alphabets and graphic standards were used
by the artist. Color transparencies of illustrations created by Dajevskis for a childrens' book about a dog and a little boy
arriving to a new life in America is entitled
Kriksis un Tomīņs Aļaskā [Kriksis and Tommy in Alaska], 1955. Profile of the Latvian children's book author Jānis Širmanis of Chicago included,
Box 6, folder 6
Photo reproductions of ED illustrations for cookbook "Gimenes Pavards" [Family Cook Book] by Dzidra Zeberina 1955
Photo reproductions of the full set of illustrations contained in the cookbook
Ģimenes Pavards [Family Cook Book] by Dzidra Zeberiņa, published by Grāmatu Draugs [Friend of Books], Brooklyn, NY, 1955. This extremely popular cookbook had
several updated editions. Includes 41 prints of Evalds Dajevskis B&W line drawings of humorous cartoon like characters for
the various chapter headings of the cook book. Professional photographer hired by Peteris Dajevskis in Latvia to document
original drawings created in the mid-1950s. Reproduction rights provided for reproduction provided by the Latvia National
Museum of Art in Riga, owner of the collection.
Series 6. Set Design for film at Michael Myerberg Productions, New York, 1950s
Language of Material: English.
Box 7, folder 1-2
Settings for film Hansel and Gretel 1950s
History and photo documentation of Dajevskis' design of settings for the Michael Myerberg Productions' film
Hansel and Gretel. Based on the children's' opera by Humperdinck, the file provides images of Dajevskis' set conceptualizations for the film
at the Myerberg studios on the lower East Side of Manhattan. Dajevskis collaboration with director of the film, John Paul
and Martin Munkacsi, photographer, described in special issue of "Close Up" magazine. Review by Bosley Crowther of the NY
Times and article from New York Sunday News provided. Film was released in 1954 and then was acquired by RKO Radio Pictures.
Later the film was sold to television. DVD copy of film provided.
Box 7, folder 3-4
Settings for film Aladdin & His Wonderful Lamp
Photo documentation of Dajevskis' conceptual design of settings for the planned Michael Myerberg Productions' film
Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp based on the tales from
1001 Arabian Nights. The film under director John Paul was not produced. Original artwork for the film went to the Ralph Emery Collection in
California. Photo documentation of artist with the storyboards that he created to develop the storyline provided. Examples
of some models built for the set included. Set designs mounted on board were used in the American Latvian Theater sponsored
1982 traveling exhibition of the artist's work for the Latvian theater in Germany and the United States.
Series 7. Professional Associations with Broadway Scenery Studios and Design Firms
Box 7, folder 5
Theatrical & Commercial Design, Production 1954-1957
In 1954, Dajevskis' begins conceptual design work for Michael Myerberg's proposed Broadway stage production of
Thirteen Daughters by Eaton Magoon. Set in 19th century Hawaii, Dajevskis completes the research stage and creates conceptual set designs for
the play (copies of original designs for the three acts provided). By 1955 it becomes clear that Myerberg's show could not
be produced on Broadway and the Myerberg studio ceased its operations. This event proved to be a critical turning point in
Dajevskis' career. He continues to work for a while longer at the Myerberg studio creating sets for TV commercials, but he
redirects his career plans.
In 1954, Dajevskis obtains a contract to design sets for the Hungarian National Theater's production of Ferenc Monar's
Liliom (the story line for this play serves as the basis for the well known Broadway musical Carnival). Conceptual layouts, poster
and program are provided. The play opens in December 1954 at the Joan of Arc Theater on West 93rd Street in New York City.
By 1955 Dajevskis determines that membership in the United Scenic Artists union is essential for him to continue working on
the Broadway stage, on film sets or for TV studios in New York City. Dajevskis starts to prepare for the "designer" certification
examination offered by the United Scenic Artists. AS he prepares for the exam, Dajevskis works on a variety of commercial
projects for a number of New York firms between 1955 and 1957. This includes the design and construction of a model for a
prospective children's amusement park (see photos of a fairy tale castle papier mache model). He also produces drawings for
commercial design studios such as John Pauzers and for David Hamberger Studios in Brooklyn, NY where he designs and installs
window displays for the Bloomingdale's Department store in Manhattan.
Box 8, folder 1-2
United Scenic Artists Certification; Studio Work as Scenic Artist 1957-1980
In 1957, Dajevskis passes the United Scenic Artist Examination obtaining the necessary certification as Scenic Designer that
allows him to work on the Broadway stage, Lincoln Center, film and TV. (See set and costume design reproductions created by
the artist for the exam). Original artwork for the examination was donated to the collection of the Liepaja Museum in Latvia
by Peter Dajevskis in 2014 along with 200 other painting. Certification also comes with receipt of the official stamp that
scenic designer must use when making design submittals to clients. Issued by the United Scenic Artists Local 829 in New York,
this essential credential is included in this file. Certification as "scenic designer" is that something that Dajevskis worked
very hard to earn. In jest, he referred to it as his graduate school diploma.
Upon certification by Local 829, Dajevskis becomes associated with major New York scenery studios. A list of studio associations
and years of his affiliations with specific studios from 1957 to retirement in 1980 is indicated. As it turned out, Dajevskis
works in the capacity of "scenic artist" for Pete Feller Studios (later Theater Techniques), Nolan Scenery Studios, Rotondo
Construction Co. and many others.
As a scenic artist, Dajevskis works directly with leading scenographers of his time to execute backdrops for Broadway's leading
theater productions, the New York City Ballet, as well film and New York TV studios. Leading designers for the stage with
whom Dajevskis worked closely include: Cecil Beaton, Jo Mielziner, Donald Oenslager, Boris Aronson, Rouben Ter-Arutunian and
Tony Walton.
A number of notable Broadway productions for which Dajevskis executed scenery received Tony awards for best scenic design.
These include
Fiddler on the Roof (Boris Aronson) and
Pippin (Tony Walton). For a number of years Dajevskis works for the scenery studio of the Metropolitan Opera Association at Lincoln
Center. Among other projects, Dajevskis works on a number of film productions at the Kaufmann Film Studios in Astoria Queens.
Among film projects, In 1977 he executes the scenic backdrops of the sets designs by Tony Walton for the film
The Wiz, directed by Sidney Lumet with Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross. The film is an adaptation of
The Wizard of Oz. Other projects include exhibits developed for the Bell Telephone and IBM pavilions at the New York World's Fair, 1964-1965.
Series 8. Post-War & U.S. Group and Solo Exhibitions
Box 8, folder 3
Exhibitions in Post-War Germany 1947-1948
Exhibitions in Post-War Germany including catalogs, photos and conceptual set designs. In the post-war era in Germany, Dajevskis
was painting the streetscapes of Lubeck, other small towns in the Meerbeck region as well as his take on the impact of war
that he witnessed. This went on along with his work for the stage for the Meerbeck Latvian Theater. Hugo Skrastins writes
about Dajevskis' life as a painter in a 1947 article published in the English language literature and art periodical called
The New Word. In another 1947 issue of The New Word, Jānis Siliņš summarizes the development of Latvian art from the turn
of the century into the DP era. Other features of this section include:
Art Festival program and documentation, HQ of the British Army of the Rhine,
Bad-Oeyenhausen, May 24-30 1948.
Baltic Art Exhibition YMCA/YWCA Oldenburg, September 20-30 1947; Evalds Dajevskis' One Man-Show catalogs, 1947.
E. Dajevskis' painting reproductions (B&W) with impressions of post-war Germany cityscapes including: Lubeck, Dresden, Flensburg
B&W photos of conceptual set-designs for plays and ballet including Mārtiņs Zīverts- Āksts (The Jester); J. Rainis' Zelta
Zirgs (The Golden Steed); the ballet Corsair; unnamed abstract ballet theme, and A. Brigadere's Princese Gundega.
Box 8, folder 4-5
Group and Solo Exhibitions in the United States, 1951-1990. Catalogs, photos and correspondence 1951-1990
Dajevskis' solo exhibitions were held primarily at venues in the eastern United States, principally New York, Boston and Washington
DC. But he was invited to show his work at a number of Latvian cultural centers including Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, Lincoln,
Nebraska, Toronto and San Francisco.
In 1951 E. Dajevskis 1951 participation in his first a group art show organized by the Latvian Artist Group in New York. Having
only arrived in the United States in May of that year, Dajevskis was already exhibiting in November of the same year. Group
exhibitions were important for emigre artists as they did not have the financial capacity to organize and promote solo exhibitions
of their own. By banding together, the artists groups were able to reach out to Latvian audiences living throughout the New
York Metropolitan region. And works by the group of artists were sold from time to time. Often artists outside of New York
shipped their work to the Group from other parts of the country as the shows grew in size. Catalogs represent shows in the
U.S. but some went to some are from the late 1980s in Riga, Latvia.
In 1982, Dajevskis opened a retrospective exhibition dedicated to the history of the Latvian Theater outside of Latvia, 19445-1980.
The show was sponsored by the American Latvian Theater and traveled to most of the large cities of the Northeast and Midwest.
The show opened in New York on March 13. A set of 35 mm transparencies taken at the Chicago venue of the exhibit is included.
A booklet in English and Latvian provides an overview of the story of the designer, his set designs and actors involved in
the productions.
Box 9, folder 1
Group and solo Exhibitions in the United States 1951-1990
Operational Costs/Revenue for Exhibits and Song Festival Sets: 1965 - 1988. This section contains expense and revenue information
related to Dajevskis' one-man shows and set design and production for Latvian Song Festival events in the United States. This
information is interesting in that on many of his tours the artist sold more than half of the works that were on exhibit and
in some cases nearly every work. One of the reasons for that was the thematic subject matter that he used in many of his works
resonated with the attendees of shows, due to the ethnographic elements associated with many of his paintings. The whimsical
and fantastical subject matter was also appreciated by the ethnic Latvian audiences at venues across the country.
Box 9, folder 2-3
Final Solo Exhibition in the United States, 1990. Held at the Reading Public Museum, Pennsylvania: The Art of Theater. Interpretive exhibit about scenography
On April 28 1990, Dajevskis opened his last exhibition which ran through June 17th at the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery
in Pennsylvania. He passed away while the show was still running. The exhibit was entitled "The Art of Theater." This interpretive
exhibit was directed primarily toward school-age audiences to offer insights about the nature of the theater set design
process and to help students understand what the production of settings for the stage involved. Included in this section:
catalog, photos and documentation related to the creation of the show. The inspiration for creating the show came from Leonids
Linauts, a close colleague of Dajevskis and a Latvian-American stained glass artist who was well known for his work in eastern
Pennsylvania's art circles and museums.
Box 9, folder 4-5
Collection of reviews and articles about Evalds Dajevskis' exhibitions 1945-1989
Over the course of his 40 year professional career outside of Latvia as a WWII refugee and later as an immigrant Dajevskis
was involved with design for the theater. By the time the unconditional surrender of the German Third Reich was signed on
Monday, May 7, 1945, Dajevskis was already creating playful drops for a small cabaret theater where British officers went
to relax and Latvian opera and ballet stars gave lighthearted performances in the city of Lubeck. He had just recovered from
near starvation conditions in a British army hospital located in Lubeck after having suffered and then escaped from conscription
in a German army labor camp during the last year of the war.
By the summer of 1945 Dajevskis had been recruited to join the Meerbeck Theater but he began to paint as well. By 1947 Dajevskis
had created enough works to stage a one man show in Lubeck. A review from that period is included. Documentation of Latvian
and Baltic exhibitions in Germany is covered in file 8.1. The contents of Section 8.5 includes detailed reviews and commentary
related to Dajevskis work from Lūbeck and onwards documenting his work in the United States through to 1989. At that time
for the first time Dajevskis work appeared in Riga after the Soviet Union began to open its doors to the west. This was a
result of the new policy of Perestroika encouraged by Mikhail Gorbachev.
Box 10, folder 1
Interpretive exhibitions and lectures about E. Dajevskis 1990s
Lectures and exhibits about E. Dajevskis legacy organized by his son Peteris Dajevskis. After Dajevskis passed away in 1990,
his estate went to his son Peteris Dajevskis with more than 250 works of art. Due to space storage issued at his residence,
Peter made arrangements with the Latvian Study Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan to store the collection of art and to have it
displayed from time to time. He transported the collection on a long-term loan basis. With the reemergence of Latvia's independence
the Latvian Study Center building in Kalamazoo closed. It was clear that there would no longer be a demand for the facility
which included a major library of Latvian books and housed the Dajevskis art collection. Latvian Americans were increasingly
going directly to Latvia to access these types of resources. Therefore, by 1995 Peter Dajevskis made arrangements with the
Center to bring the entire collection of Dajevskis works back to New York City where he was living.
Roughly at the same time as transportation arrangements for return of the collection were being made in Michigan, P. Dajevskis
learned that an art storage facility that the Latvian Lutheran Church of Art had built in Melville, Long Island, New York
for another artist had become available. In the spring of 1996, the entire Dajevskis collection was moved to the Long Island
facility. As the art storage facility with Dajevskis works was launched, Peter Dajevskis gave a talk in the Fall of 1996 about
the art
collection at the church community hall. At that point, general interest about Dajevskis work grew in the Latvian community
and Peter Dajevskis was invited to speak at other various venues.
Presentations and related documentation, 1996-2007, including:
Dajevskis Art, fall 1996. Exhibit associated with placement of the ED collection in the art storage facility of the Latvian
Ev. Lutheran Church of New York, Long Island parish, Melville, NY. Index of art exhibited, correspondence
Lecture and church service program on the theme of "Evalds Dajevskis in Three Worlds," held at the Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church
of New York, Long Island parish, Melville, NY. Newspaper article about exhibit included from LAIKS, June 3-9, 2006
Illustrated lecture on theme of "Identity through an artist's Eyes." presented at the American Latvian Youth Association meetings
(ALJA), 54th Congress held in Philadelphia, November 23, 2006
Talk on the theme of "Latvian Theater in Exile" as part of the 3x3 culture camp held at the New York Latvian Lutheran Church
camp facility, Elka Park, NY, August 2007. [Article in the Latvian newspaper LAIKS (Time).
Box 10, folder 2
ITC Bar Arolsen Archive article in New York Times; 2007 and Son's Germany trip in 2008 to Track Down DP History
Opening of the ITS Archive at Bad Arolsen, Germany: article by Mark Landler of the New York Times relating to Dajevskis' life
and work in the theater.
This section contains an article written by Mark Landler of the New York Times about
the International Tracing Service (ITS) archive in Bad-Arolsen which opened to the American public in 2007. Peter Dajevskis
and his daughter were the first American citizens to visit the newly opened archive in 2008. This was a pivotal moment for
Peter Dajevskis, in terms of what he felt had to be done to preserve his father's collection and to tell his father's story
in terms of a broader cultural historical perspective of Latvian immigration to the US in the post WWII era.
Background statement by Peteris Dajevskis:
On August 7, 2007, I was stunned to see my father's picture appear in the The New York Times. To my astonishment, his work
as a stage designer living in the displaced persons camps of Germany was brought up in a story written by the Times' European
correspondent Mark Landler. The article was about the International Tracing Service (ITS) which had opened its doors to allow
public access to its vast archives on the World War II Holocaust and displaced persons. In 2008 I traveled to Bad-Arolsen,
Germany, with my daughter Erika, to view the incredible ITS archives that covered acres of ground.
Remarkably, my father's art was a part of that archive and we were the first Americans to retrieve family documents and prints
of this work. Along with the archives, my daughter and I visited the places where my father and mother had lived as refugees
in Germany. These were also the places where my father had painted his postwar landscapes and designed and produced numerous
set sets for Latvian theater and opera productions between 1945 and 1950. We traveled to some of the former sites of DP camps
and ventured along some of the same highways that the Meerbeck Theater Company's Dreadnought traveled. I thought a lot about
the significance of the mission of that courageous theater company back in the 40's. The New York Times article and my subsequent
tour of Germany spurred me on to search out my father's footsteps and to create an interpretive exhibit about his life and
work.
The original newspaper article from the August 7, 2007 issue of the New York Times is included in this file. An itinerary
and documentation that was assembled for this trip of discovery is included. Participants included Peter Dajevskis, his daughter
Erika Dajevskis and a colleague and videographer from Riga Latvia, Maruta Jurjāne. Subsequent to the trip in 2008, Peteris
Dajevskis was invited to deliver a presentation in Toronto, Canada where Dajevskis sets for the theater were well know from
the traveling performances of the American Latvian Theater over the decades.
In addition to the trip itinerary, the materials included in the file are:
Lecture notes entitled "Skatuves māģiskā pasaulē (Within the Magical World of Theater) delivered at the Toronto Latvian Cultural
Center, January 27, 2008 plus an article from the Canadian-Latvian newspaper "Latvija Amerikā" [Latvia in America] which reported
on the presentation by Peter Dajevskis
Judging from the substantial interest shown for Dajevskis' life story and art by the audience reaction in Toronto, Peter Dajevskis
began conceptualizing a DVD that would encapsulate the story for wider distribution. A working conceptual outline for a DVD
entitled "The Dajums Trilogy" was drafted. It is included and later was created as an "app" for a retrospective exhibit catalog
with Vidvuds Mednis (production) and Daina Dajevskis (as script editor).
Box 10, folder 3
Retrospective interpretive exhibit documentation for : Evalds Dajevskis : Art, Place and Identity. At gallery of Latvia's Embassy to the United States 2012
Dajevskis retrospective exhibition at the Latvian Embassy, Washington DC, and a farewell tour to Latvian cultural centers.
The retrospective exhibition was organized, curated and produced by Peter Dajevskis with the title "Evalds Dajevskis: Art,
Place and Identity." Presented at Latvia's Embassy to the United States in the fall of 2012, it served as the launch to donate
a major percentage of the collection to the Liepaja Museum. The Latvian Embassy played an important role in furthering arrangements
with the Museum. The "farewell tour" traveled to two other venues in the United States:
The Klinklāvs Art Gallery associated with the Latvian Summer Camp & Summer High School for Youth at Garezers [Long Lake] Three
Rivers, Michigan, July-August 2013 where the exhibition was used as part of a teaching curriculum
Philadelphia Society of Free Letts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 2014
Box 10, folder 4
Retrospective exhibition : Evalds Dajevskis : Art, Place and Identity in Liepaja, Latvia
Documentation for Evalds Dajevskis: Art, Place and Identity retrospective exhibition. With the assistance of Andris Vilks,
Director of the National Library of Latvia, Peteris Dajevskis met with with the director of the Liepaja Museum, Dace Kārkla,
to suggest incorporation and expansion of the interpretive exhibit originally staged at the Latvian Embassy in Washington
(Fall 2012) to the Liepāja museum in 2014. The donation to the museum's would expand the existing collection of Dajevskis'
art at the museum since 1940s. Includes:
Text panels for the retrospective exhibition and reviews about Dajevskis art at the Liepaja Museum in Latvia (2014), curated
by Peteris Dajevskis. The paintings and exhibitry with furniture and elements from the artist's New York studio were a gift
to the museum
Description of exhibit featuring Dajevkis set designs for Rainis' plays held at the Latvian National Museum of History, December
2015-February 2016
Box 10, folder 5-6
Book launch events for Dzinra Andrusaite's monograph, Evalds Dajevskis, 1914-1990 held in Latvia in 2002 2002
Announcement of a book launch event for Dzintra Andrušaite's monograph titled
Evalds Dajevskis: 1914-1990.
Published in June 2002 by Jumava Publishers, the book was launched at venues including the Liepāja Museum, the Global Center
for Latvian Art, Cēsis and the National Library of Latvia, Rīga, June 2022 [Book gifted to the Stanford University Libraries,
January 2023].
List of Dajevskis paintings included in book by Dzintra Andrušaite (2021 draft). [The published book is in the collection
of SUL.]
Printout provided for the PowerPoint presentation delivered by Peter Dajevskis to attendees of the book launch at the Global
Center for Latvian Art, June 2022 in Cēsis.
Recognition award issued on November 18, 2022 by the Cultural Foundation and Board of the World Federation of Free Latvians
(Pasaules Brīvo latviesu apvienība) to Dzintra Andrušaite and Peter Dajevskis for their efforts and contribution "to the culture
history of Latvia and the diaspora in a colorful and informative monograph" for
Evalds Dajevskis: 1914-1990. Presented to Peter Dajevskis at the Latvian Society in Philadelphia.
Sample of manuscript style by Dzintra Andrušaite, prepared by Peteris Dajevskis, as part of proposal submitted to the Cultural
Fund of the American Latvian Association as supporting documentation in support of a proposal for financial support for design
and printing of her monograph, Evalds Dajevskis, 1914-1990. The book was published in 2022 by Jumava of Riga, Latvia.
Series 9. Correspondence, Notes & Observations
Box 11, folder 1-2
Letters to Evalds Dajevskis and congratulatory cards and letters 1950-1990
Letters to Dajevskis and congratulatory cards/letters from colleagues and a variety of individuals who admire his art. The
collection of letter is not categorized, but is grouped by decade from the 1950s to 1990.
Of special note in this series is Section 9.1.4 in which the art historian Dzintra Andrušaite, who at that time was affiliated
with the Smiļģu Theater Museum in Riga, invites Dajevskis to consider creation of an exhibit featuring his scenic designs
for the American Latvian Theater. She had been acquainted with a sampling of Dajevskis art as a result of the first shipment
of Latvian émigré art that was sent to Latvia in 1986 since the Soviet occupation. This was possible due to the lessening
of US-Soviet tensions as a result of Perestroika. (See file 8.2 for an article from "Dzimtenes Balss" (Voice of the Homeland)
issue No. 52. Her interest was aroused in Dajevskis' creativity for the stage.
A series of letters from Ms. Andrušaite provides an account of her asking Dajevskis to commit to a proposed 1989 one-man exhibit
in Riga. Dajevskis agrees to send a selection of his conceptual design sketches for a number of Latvian theater productions
to the museum (see exhibit catalog in Binder 8.2). Dajevskis is unable to travel to Riga for the opening, however, due to
his deteriorating health resulting from a cancer diagnosis.
Box 11, folder 3
Written commentary by Evalds Dajevskis in his own handwriting
Dajevskis Handwritten Notes and Observations. This section contains a compilation of Dajevskis' handwritten notes and observations
that he placed into a folder a few months before he passed. Dajevskis very infrequently kept a diary or a bound notebook.
One notebook with limited entries is found in 9.2.2. Dajevskis preferred to write his impressions down on loose pieces of
illustration pad paper that he always had nearby for sketching or experimenting with colors for a work in progress. The material
contained here includes an assorted array of materials from his files. The primary topics that the artist has addressed in
this collection of notes and observations are noted in English for 28 items. Each numbered item is identified with a yellow
"post-it" inside the file.
Series 10. Prints of Paintings & Related Photo Research
Box 11, folder 4-5
Prints organized by themes : Latvian folklore; wood architecture; folk fantasy, historic Riga
Prints with thematic content related to Latvian ethnographic themes, mythical landscapes and the city of Riga: Ethnographic
motifs and folk tales ; Latvian traditional "pirts" (sauna) ; "Golden apple tree" folk theme ; Latvian traditional farmstead
themes ; Ancient harbors, maritime themes and fortresses ; Assorted fantasy themes ; Riga themes - historic and 20th century
Box 12, folder 1
Prints organized by themes: gothic architecture; cathedral themes; medieval subjects
Box 12, folder 2
Prints organized by themes : gothic architecture; cathedral themes; medieval subjects, futuristic
Prints with thematic content related to theater from DP camps era and the US. DP era conceptual designs for plays Ugunī and
Twelfth Night ; DP era conceptual set design for the play The Jester by Martiņš Zīverts ; DP era conceptual set design for
the "fair scene" of Princess Gundega ; Paintings interpreting DP era camps and landscapes in unknown future ; Conceptual design
for theater and ballet in America ; Paintings in which the artist expresses his bond with the theater.
Box 12, folder 3
Photo documentation of elevated subway tracks in Long Island City, Borough of Queens, New York City
Photo documentation of elevated subway tracks in Long Island City in the borough of Queens, NYC. Focus is on the area's elevated
track infrastructure for painting entitled
The El. Original painting now at the Latvian Embassy to the United States in Washington, DC. Gift of the painting to the embassy
was made in 2022 by John Medveckis, Latvia's Honorary Consul to Philadelphia.
Photos of the Schermerhorn Row historical buildings in lower Manhattan near the Brooklyn Bridge which served as the inspiration
for his painting of
The Revolution at the Fulton Fish Market.
Series 11. Color Transparencies (4x5 format) of Paintings and Set Designs
In the early 1990's, after Dajevskis passed away Peteris Dajevskis, his son, worked out an arrangement with professional photographer
Rick Echelmeyer of West Chester Pennsylvania to photograph all of E. Dajevskis' paintings and theater set designs. Over 200
paintings and set designs were documented. It was decided that the best reproduction quality would be to produce 4x5 color
transparencies of the artist's painting collection. Many of the transparencies have been scanned as part of the development
of the book
Evalds Dajevskis: 1914-1990 by Latvian art and culture historian Dzintra Andrušaite. The book was published by Jumava in Latvia in 2022. Digital format
files for many of these paintings will be provided to SUL at a later date.
Box 12, folder 4
Color transparencies (4x5), Paintings : Latvia, 1930s; Germany's DP camps; Painting; American period 1951-1990
Painting: Latvia, Germany and United States Periods
Following themes included:
11.1.1 Paintings - Latvia, 1930s
a. Riga Castle - Latvia's presidential residence
11.1.2 Paintings - Germany, DP Camps and Refugee Years, 1945-1950
a. War-torn landscapes and unknown path ahead
11.1.3 Paintings - USA Years, 1951 - 1990
a. Latvian wood architecture and traditional farmsteads
b. Latvian mythical themes and ethnographic elements
c. The traditional "four-winds" theme
d. The artist's own storytelling
e. Fantasy themes and commentary
f. Paintings inspired by the theater
g. Paintings inspired by the city of Riga
h. Paintings inspired by New York City
i. Paintings inspired by the architecture of the Middle Ages
j. Portrait studio work at the Art Students League, NY, Samuel Oppenheim studio
Box 12, folder 5
Color Transparencies (4x5), Set Design for the Latvian Theater of Meerbeck 1945-1949
11.2.1-2 Design for Latvian Theater Productions in Germany (at DP Camps), 1945-1950
a. Conceptual design for Aksts (The Jester) by Mārtiņš Zīverts, 1945
b. Conceptual Design for Zelta Zirgs (The Golden Steed) by J. Rainis, 1946
c. Photos of the performance of Kazanova's mētelis (Casanova's Mantle) by Anšlavs Eglītis and directed by Osvalds Uršteins.
Set and costume design by Dajevskis, Meerbeck, Germany, 1947
d. Conceptual design for Maija un Paija by Anna Brigadere, 1948
a. Set and costume design for Maija un Paija by Anna Brigadere, New York, 1952
b. Set and costume design for Kokletājs un Veins (The Kokle Player and the Devil), a musical dance production based on the
music of Bruno Skulte. New York & Toronto, 1969
c. Conceptual design for prologue to the play Pūt Vējiņi (Blow Winds Blow), by J. Rainis, 1972
d. Set and costume design for Princese Gundega un Karalis Brusubārda (Princess Gundega and King Brusubarda), by Anna Brigadere,
New York, 1975
e. Set and costume design for Rīgas Ragana (The Witch of Rīga), by J. Rainis, Toronto, 1976
f. Conceptual set design for Put Vejiņi (Blow Winds Blow), by J. Rainis, 1977
g. Set and costume design for Skroderdienas Silmačos (The Taylor Comes to Silmaci Farmstead), by Rudolf Blaumanis, New York
and Boston, 1978
h. Set and costume design for Divu Kungu Kalps (The Servant of Two Masters), by Carlo Goldoni, New York and Washington, 1980
i. Set and costume design for Gundega a musical based on the play by Anna Brigadere and music by Andrejs Jansons, New York,
1988
Box 13, folder 1
Design for film, theater and ballet (4x5 transparencies)
11.3.1 Design for Film and Theater productions in the United States - non-Latvian, 1950s
a. Set and costume design for the Michael Myerberg film production of Hansel and Gretel, New York, 1952-54
b. Set design for the Michael Myerberg Studio's film production of Alladin and his Wonderful Lamp, New York, 1954-55
c. Conceptual set design for the Michael Myerberg Studio's theatrical production of Thirteen Daughters, New York, 1954-55
11.3.2 Design for United Scenic Artists certification, New York, 1957
a. Set design for Moliere's School for Husbands. New York, 1957
b. Costume designs for Don Quixote ballet, New York, 1957
c. Set and costume design for Goldoni's The Liar, New York, 1957
11.3.3 Conceptual·set design for ballet productions
a. Ballet set design for Don Quixote - Castle scene, ca. 1966
b. Ballet set design for Don Quixote - Dulcinea scenes ca. 1966
c. Ballet set design for Notre Dame de Paris, ca. 1966
d. Proscenium design for a classical ballet, ca. 1966
Series 12. Color Transparencies (35mm format) & Filmstrips of Works
Box 13, folder 2-3
Transparencies (35mm). Design for the stage : Post-war Germany and the United States. Meerbeck Latvian Theater and American Latvian Theater productions 1945-1973
MEERBECK LATVIAN THEATER PRODUCTIONS: 1945-1949
Divpadsmitā nakts [Twelfth Night], 1946
Kazanova's mētelis [Casanova's Mantle], 1947
Divkauja [The Duel]
No Saldenās pudeles [From the Sweet Bottle]; 1947
Conceptual set design for the play Sprīditis by Anna Brigadere. Published by
Jaunais Vārds [The New Word], Hugo Skrastiņš publisher, 1947
Ļaunais gars [The Evil Spirit]; 1948
Vilhelms Tells [William Tell], 1948
Skapēna nedarbi [The Fourberies of Scapin / Scapin, the Schemer], 1949
Zaļā Krūze (The Green Pitcher), Jānis Zarinš, Director, 1949
Pazudušais dēls [The Prodigal Son], 1949
AMERICAN LATVIAN THEATER PRODUCTIONS: 1952 - 1973
Maija un and Paija. ALT New York Ensemble, 1952.
Čūska [The Snake], ALT NY Ensemble, 1954.
Seši mazi bundzenieki [The Six Little Drummers], ALT New York Ensemble, 1956.
Vilks Rīgā [The Wolf in Rīga], ALT Washington Ensemble, 1963.
Ugunī [On Fire], Washington Ensemble (ED), 1968.
Koklētājs un velns [The Zither Player and the Devil], 1969.
Pūt vējiņi [The Gentle Winds Blow] directed by Osvalds Uršteins, 1970.
Set and costume design created for the Anna Brigadere play Sprīditis as a children's book published by the American Latvian
Association, Washington, 1973.
Box 13, folder 4-5
Transparencies (35mm). Design for the stage : American Latvian Theater (New York Ensemble) production of Princess Gundega and King Brusubarda 1975
Box 14, folder 1
Transparencies (35mm). Design for the stage : American Latvian Theater productions 1976-1988
Rīgas ragana [The Witch of Riga], by Jānis Rainis, produced for the Sixth Latvian Song Festival in Canada, directed by Osvalds
Uršteins, performed at the Queen Elizabeth Theater, Toronto, 1976.
Skroderdienas Silmačos [The Taylor Comes to Silmachi Farmstead] by Rudolfs Blaumanis, ALT Boston Ensemble, directed by Reinis
Birzgalis, performed at the John Hancock Hall, Boston, 1978.
Divu kungu kalps [A Servant of Two Masters] by Carlo Goldoni, ALT Washington Ensemble, directed by Osvalds Uršteins, 1980.
Gundega, a musical by Andrejs Jansons (music director and composer) based on Anna Brigadere's play Princese Gundega un Karalīs
Brusubārda [Princess Gundega and King Brusubarda] with libretto written by Vilnis Baumans. An independent production performed
at the Lehman College Theater, New York City and at Clowes Hall, Indianapolis, IN, 1988.
Box 14, folder 2
Transparencies (35mm). Evalds Dajevskis' paintings organized by thematic content : works from post-war Germany and the United States
Transparencies (35mm): Paintings organized by thematic content
Following themes included:
12.4.1 Vernacular folk architecture motifs
12.4.2 Folklore and ancient landscapes
12.4.3 The four winds theme and "Vēja māte" or "wind mother" ancient mythology
12.4.4 Fantasy ships and maritime architecture motifs
12.4.5 Theater themes
12.4.6 Paintings inspired by Martiņš Zīverts play "Aksts,"(The Jester), associated
with imagined events at the Globe Theater during Elizabethan times.
12.4.7 Design for film
12.4.8 Storytelling and illustration
12.4.9 Historical Riga, 1938 Riga, Soviet Riga
12.4.10 Impressions of DP era Germany
12.4.11 Impressions of New York City
12.4.12 Impressions from European travel
12.4.13 Ultimate deterioration
12.4.14 Funeral of the moon
12.4.15 Fantasy themes
Box 14, folder 3-5
Transparencies (35mm) : Photos of European cityscapes, cathedrals & architecture, 1960s. Also, North and South Dakota, Upstate New York and artist's home in New York City 1960s
Photos of European cityscapes and buildings documented in study trips in 1960s. Also photos from New York City locations,
the artist's home and other US places:
12.5.1 Belgium
12.5.2 England
12.5.3 France
12.5.4 Italy
12.5.5 Netherlands
12.5.6 Norway
12.5.7 Spain
12.5.8 Switzerland
12.5.9 United States including: Manhattan, North and South Dakota, and Clemons (artist's property in the Adirondacks region
of New York State).
12.4.10 Artist's studio in the Flushing section of the Borough of Queens, New York
Series 13. Original Concept Sketches and Research
Box 15, folder 1-2
Artist's original concept sketches and "visual thinking" for various paintings
Visualizations/sketches of ideas ["Pirms skices" in Latvian] for various paintings
This file contains various rough sketches from the artist's "visualization" of ideas for paintings. Many of Evalds Dajevskis
smaller works began with the artist simply outlining ideas in his head. Then, sometimes the process simply meant tracing some
of these basic ideas with his finger on a table top, followed by a rough idea on any small piece of scrap paper -- usually
sketching paper, a piece of cardboard left over some other project.
Once the idea was captured on a scrap of paper it evolved some more on to a larger piece of drawing paper or left over piece
of illustration board. Often some tempera colors were added to accentuate or test out a visual effect that the artist was
imagining. Those types of first experimental searches are contained in the first set of sketches found in this file.
Once these ideas had evolved further, the idea would get some additional detailing on larger pieces of paper, most likely
using tempera paints. Once those experimental "visualizations" had been worked on, the piece of artwork would be developed
on canvas with a piece of charcoal on using tempera or acrylic on illustration board or masonite. Sometimes, the process simply
stopped there. It was an idea that never made it to fruition.
The sketches from the Evalds Dajevskis collection inb this binder are broken into several categories starting with some from
very basic line drawings or visual musings to fairly develop sketches. And finally to fairly defined sketches associated with
a an actual finished painting. In cases where sketches can be associated with a finished work, this is indicated.
13.1.1 Basic visualizations (known as "pirms skices" in Latvian - the initial sketch)
13.1.2 Experimentation with color
13.1.3 Vernacular folk architecture motifs
13.1.4 The four winds and other Latvian folk themes
13.1.5 Theater related themes
13.1.6 Fantasy ships and maritime architecture motifs
13.1.7 European Middle Ages: Church and architecture
13.1.8 Impressions of New York City [includes "Revolution at the Fulton Fish
Market" and the "The New York El"]
13.1.9 Funeral of the Romantic Moon [Original at the Liepāja Museum, Latvia]
13.1.10 Fantastic places of the imagination
13.1.11 Note pad - drawing exercises
Box 15, folder 3-4
Research sources used by artist for various projects
E. Dajevskis' reference sources for various projects. This file includes samples of E. Dajevskis' reference sources used for
various projects. Wherever E. Dajevskis went or traveled he would acquire photos relevant to his areas of interest -- such
as those offered by ethnographic outdoor museums that featured wood architecture. This file contains a small random compilation
of materials found in the artist's studio after he passed. Other key areas of interest for collecting reference materials
included period church architecture from northern Europe. Also, visits to the Metropolitan Museum's Cloisters were a fairly
regular occurrence where Dajevskis researched and experienced medieval art.
Finding materials associated with the Baltic experience was always challenging. Wherever he could find reference materials
about Latvian, Lithuanian or Estonian cultural landscapes and traditional wood structures, he would obtain them. During the
Soviet occupation of the Baltics access to any cultural-historical resources was extremely limited.
Box 15, folder 5
Assorted hand written notes by Evalds Dajevskis relating to personal research re: art periods and history
E. Dajevskis hand written notes. The notes relate to his observations related to the history of the theater. They include
observations on the Middle aAges, the Renaissance, the development of the Baroque theater, Romanticism, the modern theater,
"new ideas," Adolphe Appia, Edward Gordon Craig, Alexandra Exter, and typed notes about Faust. Other research material regarding
a visit to the home of Latvian playwright Anna Brigadere can be found in the rear sleeve of the file. Also a blue notebook
in the rear sleeve also contains comments and some "doodles" by the artist.
Series 14. Historical Reference Materials - Displaced Persons
Box 16, folder 1-2
TILTS Magazines published in Germany DP camp; cover designed by artist with Meerbeck theater stories
TILTS (Bridge] Magazine: Germany and the United States
This file contains copies of eleven issues of TILTS Magazine published in Germany's DP Camps and later in the United States.
The publisher was Hugo Skrastiņš. The cover design for the first issue in December 1949 was designed by Evalds Dajevskis.
The first issue of the magazine addressed the Latvian immigration experience and featured the story of the Meerbeck Latvian
Theater as well as life in the Germany's DP camps. In the issues published in the US, stories in the beginning address the
experience of Latvian often featured. Evalds Dajevskis' work in theater was addressed in issues numbered 14.9 and 14.10.
The collection of TILTS Magazines (BRIDGE magazine) includes issues published by Hugo Skrastins initially in Germany. Later
after immigration to the US, he published TILTS from Minneapolis, MN. The cover of the first issue, from December 1949, was
designed by E. Dajevskis with an illustration shows Latvian immigrants on the dock about to embark on their voyage to the
United States. The unknown future is captured by the artist. Dajevskis served as graphic designer for TILTS between 1949 and
1950. The following issues of TILTS are included:
14.1.1) Issue #1 of TILTS magazine first published in December 1949 in Wolterdingen/Saltau, Germany. Includes articles about
Meerbeck Latvian Theater and the production of a film entitled: Kads Kura Nav I "Someone Who Does Not Exist."
(14.1.2) TILTS Issue #2, January 1950. Immigration experience of Latvians globally. Feature article is on the Latvian author
Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš.
(14.1.3) TILTS Issue #3, March 1950. Features article about actors Nina Melbarde and Kārlis Lagzdiņš (wife and husband actors)
who worked on the Latvian stage.
(14.1.4) TILTS Issue #4, April 1950. Immigration experience of Latvians globally.
(14.1.5) TILTS Issue #5, July 1950. Immigration experience of Latvians globally. Features story on formation of Latvian theater
in New York City with performance of Ķinas Vāze (China Vase by Martins Ziverts, pg. 31.)
(14.1.6) TILTS Issue #6 TILTS, April 1951. Publisher Hugo Skrastins immigrates to Minneapolis, MN and establishes residency
there and continues publication of TILTS with his global accounts of the Latvian immigration experience.
The following issues contain stories about the Latvian emigre theater in the United States:
(14.1.7) TILTS Issue #8 TILTS, November 1951. Stories about the life Latvian immigrants to the United States. Articles about
noted Latvian painters Jānis Kalmīte and Miķelis Geistauts.
(14.1.8) TILTS Issue #86, March 1968. Contains stories about various Latvian theater ensembles in Boston, Toronto and California.
Article plays tribute to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Latvian Theater in Riga, pg. 42.
(14.1.9) TILTS joint issues #104/105, July 1970. Contains article by Ojars Jegens about EvaIds Dajevskis production design
for the musical production of Bruno Skulte's "Kokletajs un Veins", pg. 16.
(14.1.10) TILTS Issues #130/131 January, 1973. Reproductions of Evalds Dajevskis paintings on front cover and inside cover.
Issue contains article by Leonids Linauts about solo exhibition of Evalds Dajevskis' painting sat the Pennsylvania State Museum
in Harrisburg, PA. Photos of paintings on exhibit and the artist are included, pg. 66.
(14.1.11) TILTS joint issues #150/151, July 1975. A history of the productions of the American Latvian Theater's Boston ensemble,
Reinis Birzgalis, director is featured, pgs.24 - 31.
Box 16, folder 3
Documentation related to founding & performances of the Meerbeck Choir; conductor Karlis Lietins
This file contains documentation related to the history of the Meerbeck Latvian Choir; conductor Kārlis Lietiņš. The choir
played a key role in the cultural life of the refugee camp at Meerbeck and its members were also partners with artists of
the Meerbeck Latvian Theater Company on a number of
projects. Photo copies of these documents were provided by Dr. Maruta Lietiņš-Ray of St. Cloud, Minnesota (daughter of the
conductor).
Box 16, folder 4
Hugo Skrastins collection at Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota
Box 16, folder 5
Reference articles related to Latvian refugee history, the Displaced Persons Act of 1948 & US immigration.
Contains a collection of historical reference articles and other resources related to Latvian refugee history in post WWWII
occupied Germany. It provides general contextual information about the plight of the refugees and the significance of the
Displaced Persons Act of 1948 which permitted Baltic and other Eastern European refugees to seek a new home in the United
States. An article by Andris Straumanis provides a useful general overview of the Latvian American experience and offers a
historical framework for understanding the Evalds Dajevskis collection for the researcher.
Box 17, folder 1
Miscellaneous prints and pamphlets from 1st independence period, refugee and cartoons from Soviet era
Miscellaneous prints and pamphlets from 1st independence period, refugee and cartoons from Soviet era Documentation contains
information about Hugo Skrastiņš, researched by Peteris Dajevskis at the Immigration History Research Center at the University
of Minnesota. Hugo Skrastins essentially created the Meerbeck Latvian Theater Company and worked as the administrator of the
company. Skrastīnš collaborated closly with Osvalds Uršteins, the director of the company and Evalds Dajevskis, scenographer.
He worked behind the scenes to operate the company and to obtain critical assets. An example of this is the Renault military
ambulance no longer actively used by the British military which was adapted by Evalds Dajevskis to transport the theater company
members and scenery to DP camp theater venues.
With Skrastiņš excellent knowledge of English he was able to negotiate many essential materials needed to run the theater
company because of the positive relationship that he built with the British military authorities and the Home Secretary in
England. He was also the publisher of "Tilts" [Bridge] Magazine (see 14.1). Skrastins also served as organizer of a number
of Baltic cultural events & exhibitions in the British Zone of Occupation and became a close colleague of E. Dajevskis during
the DP era. Skrastins printed the first book in a DP camp with color reproductions of Evalds Dajevskis illustrations for A.
Brigadere's play Sprīdītis.
Series 15. Audio/Visual Materials
Language of Material: English.
Box 17, folder 3
Digital format of the Audio/Visual Material (saved to a jump drive)
Box 17, folder 3
Who Are We? What Are We Doing? - A documentary about the status of Latvian DPs 1940s
Who are we? What are we doing? - A documentary about the status of Latvian DPs, mid-1940s. This converted nitrate film produced
in Germany's DP camps by RIGA FILM was designed to explain who the DP are in an effort to reach out to British audiences.
Osvalds Uršteins, a leading Latvian actor and director of the Meerbeck Latvian Theater, speaking in English, talks about the
stereotypes of who the Displaced Persons (DP's) are. He explains to a fellow British customer seated in a restaurant about
the plight of the Latvians and what their situation is as DPs. He talks about their status and the issues of repatriation
that confront them given the Soviet occupation of the Baltic States. A Latvian speaking narrator explains to DP audiences
(and non-English speaking persons) the story of the DPs and their struggle for renewing their lives. The film was produced
in the mid-1940s. Toward the end of the film, scenes from the performance of Shakespeare's
Twelfth Night, as produced by the Meerbeck Latvian Theater Company, are featured.
[MPEG 4.0 Provided on flash drive 15.0 as file #15.2].
Creator: Riga Film (Meerbeck, Germany, 1940s)
Box 17, folder 3
Latvian poetry recitals linked to Evalds Dajevskis set designs for Latvian plays
In addition to the film described in 15.4.1, a short film was created by Viktors Petruševics (15.4.3 on flash drive) linking
Evalds Dajevskis paintings set designs for Latvian plays that were combined with voice overs by Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis and
Rudolfs Mucenieks who recited Latvian poetry. The short, through the words of the poetry and the tone of delivery captures
the deep sense of loss of their country to the Soviet regime and the longing to return to their homeland. [MPEG provided on
flash drive].
Box 17, folder 3
Evalds Dajevskis Art and Interview
A clip from the Viktors Petrušēvics film described in 15.4.1 includes a short filmed portrait of the fantastical themes the
artist dealt with. For this segment the voice-over narration is provided by the artist's wife Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis. An
interview with the artist about his paintings and influences follows. The interview is conducted by Helga Petrušēvics. [MPEG
provided on flash drive]
Box 17, folder 3
Pilot fund raising video for the Latvian American Heritage Series entitled "DP Destiny" 1995
This pilot video was created as part of an effort to build Latvian-American interest in telling the story of DP life and immigration
to the United States. Called the "Latvian American Heritage Series," this volunteer effort was supported with seed money from
the American Latvian Association's (ALA) Culture Division. The content was developed by Peter Dajevskis and Vidvuds Mednis,
creative director and narrator. The historical adviser to the effort was Lilita Bergs. (See additional information about this
project in file #18.1). Video provided on thumb drive.
Box 17, folder 3
Premiere of the ballet "Koklētājs un Velns" by Bruno Skulte, Latvia 2011
This ballet is a revival of the ballet Koklētājs un Velns (The Latvian "Zither" player and the Devil) which was first performed
in 1969 in Toronto, Canada and then in New York. Sets and costumes for the original production were designed by Evalds Dajevskis
(see file 4.2). After the success of the 1969 production, the elaborate costumes were stored away in Toronto. Remarkably,
the Dajevskis designed costumes (produced in Canada) survived in storage with the production's choreographer, (Zigis Miezītis,
1933-2011), for over 40 years and were brought to Riga, Latvia for the 2011 productions as seen in this video [flash drive]
Box 17, folder 3
Video interview by Peter Dajevskis w/Dr. Maruta Lietiņš Ray 2010
Video entitled "Dreadnought: The Latvian Theater of Meerbeck, Germany, 1945-1949" documents Dr. Ray's reminiscences about
her experiences growing up in a DP camp in Meerbeck, Germany and her experiences as a 12 year old child in the world of the
Latvian Theater of Meerbeck where her parents were involved. A twenty five minute long oral history account describes the
impact and the "magic" of theater through the eyes of a child growing up in the "gray" circumstances of DP life. (Provided
as MP4 file on flash drive in English).
Creator: Peteris Dajevskis, (script); Daina Dajevskis (editor) & Vidvuds Mednis (production)
Publisher: Interpretive Solutions, Philadelphia, PA (Peteris Dajevskis, owner)
Box 17, folder 3
"The ART OF DAJEVSKIS" application 2012
This application was created by Peteris Dajevskis to serve as a digital Exhibit Catalog for an Evalds Dajevskis retrospective
exhibit that he staged at the Latvian Embassy's gallery in Washington, DC, fall 2012. In February 2013, the exhibit traveled
to the Latvian Society in Philadelphia and then was viewed at the Latvian Culture Camp known as "Garezers" (Long Lake) near
Three Rivers, Michigan. The exhibit was used for a summer long youth study program of Latvian art. In early 2014 the exhibit
was shipped to its final destination at the Liepaja Museum in Latvia. It ran from May 28, 2014 through July 2014.
"The Art of Dajevskis" app includes original stories about the artist's life experiences based on an autobiographical essay
that Evalds Dajevskis wrote in the 1980s. [The language of the app is English with the original Latvian text recorded for
voice over by Modris Mednis (now deceased). The app is available through On Cell service at:
https://artofdajevskis.oncell.com/en/
The basic purpose of the application was to interpret the life story of the artist and to illustrate how his art reflected
the events and mood of the post World War II experience. The app explores the significance of the theater for refugees during
the post-war DP experience in Germany. The artist's paintings and set designs are interpreted from a cultural-geographical
perspective to reflect the context of the artist's life and his perception of the world around him. This includes his paintings
created in New York City after immigration to the United States in 1951. Produced in association with Vidvuds Mednis, videographer
and with Daina Dajevskis, script editor.
Box 17, folder 3
Interview with Maija-Kārkle Medne about her Latvian Theater Experiences in DP camps
Oral history interview conducted with Maija-Kārkle Medne of Kintnersville, PA on January 24, 2013 about her early years as
a child growing up in Latvia and then her experience as a teenager in the DP camps of Germany in the American Zone of occupation.
She provides extensive discussion of the significance of the theater in the DP settings -- especially the Esslingen and Meerbeck
theater companies. She discusses the impact of the actors' performances and the set designs which brought color to teen age
girls living in various DP camps. Videography by Vidvuds Mednis. (Interview in Latvian provided as MP4 file on flash drive
in English).
Box 17, folder 3
Lecture by Eleonora Šturms about the significance of Evalds Dajevskis art 2013
The video is a recording of Eleonora Šturms guest lecture delivered in Philadelphia as part of the opening of the retrospective
exhibit Evalds Dajevskis: Art, Place and Identity. [In Latvian]. Ms. Šturms of New York City has written extensively about
the paintings and theater design of Evalds Dajevskis for various Latvian periodicals. The lecture was held at the Philadelphia
Society of Free Letts hall in Center City Philadelphia. In her comments, Ms. Šturms examines the career of the artist as an
easel painter, an illustrator and his contribution as a scenographer to Latvian theater. She also talks about work as scenic
artist for Broadway production, the New York City Ballet and the Metropolitan opera. Videographer: Vidvuds Mednis. (Lecture
in Latvian provided as MP4 file on flash drive).
Box 18-19
Cinemaphotographer Aleksandrs Kruka: 16mm documentary film reels 1940s
Footage for a 16mm film by Latvian cinematographer Aleksandrs Krūka (1898-1987).
The box contains a set of film reels with footage from a documentary film created by the Latvian artist and filmmaker Aleksandrs
Krūka during the DP era in Germany. The footage depicts life in Germany's DP camps during the post-World War II era. The original
reel was given to Evalds Dajevskis in the mid-1980s by the filmmaker for safe keeping while Mr. Krūka was living in New York
City and was ill. He passed in 1987. The original film was copied years later for preservation purposes after Mr. Krūkliņs
passed. The copy was hand delivered to the National Archives of Latvia, Riga. See the archives description at this site: https://www.archiv.org.lv/baltijas_dp_vacija/?id=34&lang=en
A printout from this site is attached for reference. It mentions that the documentary found at the Latvian National Archives
is entitled the "Displaced Persons of the Baltic (1944-1949)" and was created by the cinematographer Aleksandrs Krūka. According
to the Archives, the film arrived at the archives in the year 2000.
The reels are the original documentation of DP life filmed by A. Krūka. His film was forwarded to the United States Information
Service in London. In a letter to Mr. Kruka in 1953 written by Ann Laer, Films Officer at the American Embassy in London (included
in this file) returned the movie.
In terms of Latvian theater history it is possible that the footage originally given to Dajevskis may include filmed sequences
of performances by the Meerbeck Latvian Theater. To ensure that the content of the original film would be preserved without
further deterioration over time, an effort was made to preserve the print by Peter Dajevskis. The print was copied by Cine
Centrum, Inc., a New York based film copying service (1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, 2nd floor) in the 1980s.
The original reel and production copies are probably same documentary referred to in the collections of the National Archives
of Latvia. The labeling on the original reels states:
- Original reel in Gavaert Can, Belgium
- #3 Print Work Print
- Optical TRK print; work print outs
- 1st ANS Print
Box 20, folder 1
Film footage about the Meerbeck DP camp by cinematographer Aleksandrs Krūka 1898-1987
With hand printed notations by Dajevskis, the brown paper mailer contains two reels of film sent to him by Mr. Krūka in 1981.
The package was sent from his address in New York City (160 East 25th Street, Carlton Arms). The footage, as indicated by
Dajevskis on the mailer, contains footage about the DP camp at Meerbeck. At the top of the mailer, Dajevskis wrote in Latvian:
"Never seen before!!"
Box 20, folder 2
Feature length film Hansel and Gretel 1954
Movie produced by Michael Myerberg Productions for which Dajevskis designed the sets from 1953-1954. Film was directed by
John Paul, music by Engelbert Humperdinck with opera star Anna Russell in the witch's role. Movie originally released by RKO,
this DVD version is distributed by View Video, New York, NY under their "Children's Cultural Collection" program series. The
overall quality of this video is fair but it does capture the general feel of the sets and music as seen on the movie theater
screen. See file #6.1 for photos of the development of stage sets by Evalds Dajevskis including an animation process for puppets
that now is considered ground-breaking for its time.
Box 20, folder 3-4
Short film about Evalds Dajevskis: "In the Magical World of Fairy Tales" / Pasaku Pasaulē 1960s
This short film
Pasaku Pasaulē was produced by Viktors Petruševics of New York City in the mid-1960s. It was filmed in Flushing, Queens (a section of New
York City) at the private studio of Evalds Dajevskis. After Viktors Petruševics passing, reproduction rights were given to
Peteris Dajevskis by the filmmaker's estate. The 25 minute program includes a brief interview with Evalds Dajevskis who comments
on his career and key artists, both Latvian and non-Latvian, who influenced his art.
Vignettes of plays involving traditional Latvian folk characters and storybook tales are animated in the film using various
conceptual set designs created by the artist. The program includes voice-overs by Latvian National Theater actress Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis
(the artist's wife) and by the American Latvian Theater actor Rudolfs Mucenieks. Texts for the film were written by Vitruts
Kalve. The interview with Evalds Dajevskis was conducted by Helga Petruševica. Interview runs from 17:30 - 21:00.
[Original recording of production tape with conversion from VHS to DVD; also provided on a flash drive]
Box 21, folder 1-2
Oral history interviews with Evalds Dajevskis by Sandra Sebris at the artist's home 1960s
Oral history accounts were recorded with Evalds Dajevskis at his home in Flushing, New York a section of the Borough of Queens
in New York City. Conducted in the mid-1960s, this was one of several interviews that Sebris, a university student at that
time, conducted with Dajevskis and other artists working in the Latvian theater. Creator Sandra Sebris now resides in Latvia
and is a professor of psychology at the University of Latvia. (6 audio cassette tapes)
Box 21, folder 3
Two oral history interviews with actors Reinis Birzgalis and Jānis Lejinš by Sandra Sebris
Reinis Birzgalis, theater director from the Boston area and Jānis Lejiņš, noted Latvian theater director, living in the Washington
DC area were interviewed by Sandra Sebris. She now resides in Latvia and is a professor of psychology at the University of
Latvia. (Birzgalis - 3 audio cassette tapes; Lejiņš: 2 audio cassette tapes)
Box 21, folder 4
Audio recording of performance of "Princese Gundega and Karalis Brusubārda" 1975
Performance of Anna Brigadere's play as performed by the American Latvian Theater's New York ensemble, Nina Melbārde director.
See file 4.3 for program information and photo documentation of performance at the auditorium of the Fashion Institute of
Technology in New York City. [Original reel to reel tape and conversion to CD].
Box 21, folder 5
Video recording of production of the musical "Gundega," composed by Andrejs Jansons 1988
This is a video of the 1988 musical called "Gundega," composed by Andrejs Jansons with set designs by Evalds Dajevskis (the
Mičuls version). See file #4.5 for documentation of the performance including sets. The musical is based on a play written
by Anna Brigadere in 1923, entitled Princess Gundega and Karalis Brusubārda [Princess Gundega and King Brusubārda]. The play
is based on Latvian folk motifs.
Box 22, folder 1
Audio recording of interview with Evalds Dajevskis 1989
Audio recording of interview with Evalds Dajevskis held in Riga, Latvia on May17, 1989. This was E. Dajevskis first visit
to Latvia after leaving the country when conscripted to serve in a Germany army labor camp in Pomerania in 1944. Interview
+from the collection of the Rainis Literature and Music History Museum now called the "Rakstniecības un mūzikas muzejs/ Museum
of Writing and Music in Riga. (Audio cassette)
Box 22, folder 2
Video recording of E. Dajevskis exhibition the Reading, PA Public Museum 1990
Evalds Dajevskis last exhibit, The Art of Theater, was held at the Reading Public Museum in Pennsylvania. This educational
exhibition was conceived as way to introduce school age children to the process of design for the stage. The video is a walk-through
of the paintings and stage designs on display. Documentation of the exhibition can be found in file #8.4. Dajevskis passed
away in June, 1990 as the exhibition was still in progress.
Box 22, folder 3-5
Audio recording of childhood memories of Evalds Dajevskis by Gaida Kalnāja 1998
The childhood memories of Evalds Dajevskis were recorded by Gaida Kalnāja, the artist's oldest friend going back to his childhood
years. Recorded on February 5, 1998, Ms. Kalnāja recalls times together as playmates in the 1920s when E. Dajevskis' was placed
by his father to live with a Methodist minister's family while young Dajevskis was growing up and going to school in Riga.
Life in the city and in nearby Riga Jūrmala (a beach community) is described. During Latvia's first period of independence,
Ms. Kalnāja became the head of the Latvian girl scouts movement (gaidas/girl guides). She served as the Latvian girl scouts
movement representative at international functions -- including to the United States. (Original audio cassette tape provided
with conversion of file to CD).
Box 22, folder 6
Video recording of conversations about Evalds Dajevskis, Liepāja, Latvia 2001
Box 23
Record of readings in Latvian - 33-1/3 RPM -- "SAULE-SAULE/ZEME ZEME" (Volume #1)
This recording of prose and poetry of leading 20th century Latvian writers was performed by several Latvian theater artists
associated with the American Latvian Theater. The readings were recorded in spring 1970. The recording was produced by the
Culture Bureau of the American Latvian Association in Washington DC. The title of the recording translates to: SUN, SUN/LAND,
LAND. Authors of the readings include Kārlis Skalbe, Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš and Fricis Bārda. The voices of the actors include:
Helga Gobzine, Alma Mača, Reinis Birzgalis and Milda Zīlava. Introductory notes by Astrīde Ivaska.
Box 23
Record of readings in Latvian - 33-1/3 RPM -- "SAULE-SAULE/ZEME ZEME" (Volume #2)
This second recording of prose and poetry of leading 20th century Latvian writers was performed by several Latvian theater
artists of the American Latvian Theater including Ēriks Adamsons, Aldeksandrs Čaks, Anšlavs Egļītis and Mārtiņs Zīverts. The
readings were recorded in spring 1972. The recording was produced by the Culture Bureau of the American Latvian Association
in Washington DC. The title of the recording translates to: SUN, SUN/LAND, LAND. The voices in the recording include actors:
Rudolfs Mucenieks, Skaidrīte Pence, Ansis Mitrēvics and Pēteris Dumpis.
Box 24
Audio recording of Helga Gobzine-Dajevskis' account of trip to Latvia, "HELGAS's STORY 1976
This set of audio tape recordings contains Helga Gobzine Dajevskis account of her visit to Latvia in 1976. The tapes were
recorded after her trip in Potomac, Maryland (Washington DC region) at the residence of Hilda Prince Uršteins where a number
of theater colleagues had gathered to hear about her experiences. The primary reason that Helga Dajevskis made the trip was
to visit her sister Vīta Gobzine who she had not seen since 1944. Helga, her sister Irene and her brother Arnold left the
Gobzinis farm in Džūkste with a wagon and two horses as the German and Russian military aircraft and later armies were about
to confront one another in severe combat. Attacks occurred literally above the village. Under the assumption that the family
would reunite once the combat had ended, the idea was that they would got to the western parts of neighboring Kurzeme province
for safety. Another important part of fleeing Džukste was to shelter Irene's young child, Eva. from the threats of bombardment.
As it turned out Helga and her oldest sister Vita would not be able to see one another other for another 32 years. The tape
contains Helga's personal accounts of what she saw and heard during her visit to Soviet-era Latvia.
ABOUT THE RECORDINGS: HELGA's STORY
The original set of recordings consisted of six small tapes at a speed of 3/3/4 (provided). The last box contains Voice of
America programming with readings of Latvian poetry by professional Latvian artists in the United States, Olģerts Parņicikis,
producer. The six original were then copied to two--7-1/2" reels.
In May 2023 Peter Dajevskis had the audio reels converted to digital format and saved to a jump drive by Disc Hounds of West
Chester, Pennsylvania (enclosed in box 17). Transcriptions of the tapes will be processed at a later date (Latvian and English).
Box 25, folder 1-2
Audio tape recordings of performances by Hugo Strauss & Milda Strauss 1960s
SIDE 1: Hugo Strauss, Latvian pianist recording of compositions by Latvian composers Pieces recorded ca: 1960s include:
Alfreds Kalniņš (1879-1951): Prelude
Jāzeps Vītols (1863-1948):
Vilņu dziesma (Song of the Waves) by
Prelude
Jānis Mediņš (1890-1966):
Daina #1
Daina #2
Daina #5
Daina #3
Daina #6
SIDE 2: Performances of songs by Milda Grimma Strauss
Pieces include:
Volodimīrs Želiniskis: "Ledus puķe un kaktus"
Jānis Mediņš: Kaķīša Dzirnaviņas
L. Garūte: Sudrabota zīle brēca (folk song)
Olģerts Grāvītis: Vai tā mana vaina bija (folk song)
Volfgangs Dārziņs: Vai būs laime (folk song)
Volfgangs Dārziņš: Es dziedāju, gavilēju (folk song)
Riga radio/performance by T. Kalniņs choir (recording from a vinyl record):
Jānis Cimze: Kraulīts sēž ozolā (folk song)
Jānis Cimze: Tek saulīte tecēdama (folk song)
Audio tape was a gift of Hugo Strauss to Peteros Dajevskis, his Godson in the early 1960s.
Hugo Strauss, Latvian pianist, recordings of Chopin Nocturne E Flat major and Chopin Nocturne in C Sharp Minor. On Scotch
4" reel. Audio tape gift of Hugo Strauss to Peter Dajevskis, 1960s.
NOTE: Hugo Strauss and Milda Grimma Strauss were residents of San Francisco, 1950s - 1990s.
Series 17. Scripts for plays produced by the American Latvian Theater, Washington, DC
The following scripts are donated to Stanford by Māris and Anita Juberts of Darnestown, Maryland. These scripts were compiled
by the Juberts from the estate of Laimonis Zariņs of Silver Springs, Maryland who served as the lighting designer and installation
expert for the Washington D.C. based American Latvian Theater Company. Over the years, Mr. Zariņs worked closely with the
director of the ALT's Washington Ensemble, Osvalds Uršteins. He also collaborated extensively with Evalds Dajevskis to design
lighting for the ALT's stage settings. The scripts provided here are listed in alphabetical order by title.
Box 26, folder 1
Box 26, folder 2-6
Box 26, folder 7
DAUGAVA by Jānis Rainis 1979
Box 26, folder 8
DIVU KUNGU KALPS by C. Goldoni [Servant of Two Masters] 1980
Box 26, folder 9
DURNĀ MERGA by Mārtiņš Zīverts [The Dizzy Young Girl]. Written by Swedish-Latvian playwright
Box 27, folder 1-2
INDRĀNI by Rūdolfs Blaumanis. Classic Latvian play written in 1903 1975
Box 27, folder 3
JOLANTA DURBE by Anšlavs Eglītis. Latvian-American playwright living in Los Angeles, California 1967
Box 27, folder 4
KLAUNS FIASKO by Mārtiņš Zīverts [CLOWN FIASCO]. Written by Swedish-Latvian playwright 1960
Box 27, folder 5
LĪNIS MURDĀ [Līnis in a Quandary] by Edvards Vulfs [Edward Wolf). Written in Rīga in 1918
Box 27, folder 6
OMARTIJA KUNDZE [Mrs. Omarty] by Anšlavs Eglītis. Latvian-American playwright living in Los Angeles, California 1961-1962
Box 27, folder 7-9
SARKANVĪNS [Red Wine] by Valdemārs Kārkliņš. Latvian-American playwright who lived in Portland, Oregon 1983
Box 27, folder 10
SPOKI [Ghosts] by Henrik Ibsen and translated into Latvian by Kārlis Strāls
Box 28, folder 1
Box 28, folder 2
Box 28, folder 3
UGUNĪ [On Fire] by Rūdolfs Blaumanis 1968
Written in 1904, with this play the playwright accentuates changes in life at the "muiža" or manor house governed by its traditional
and stable traditions and established hierarchy. The play examines the radical transformations that were occurring in society
as the 20th century was beginning.
Box 28, folder 4
Box 28, folder 5
A Wolf in Riga (dance music), 7" VIDEO TAPE
Series 18. Materials Related to the Esslingen Assembly Center, Germany, Life in DP Camps, & Latvian-U.S. Immigration
The documents in Series 18 are primarily from the Latvian Displaced Persons (DP) Camp at Esslingen, Germany. An assortment
of other documents related to the Latvian DP immigration experience to the U.S. is included as well. Includes photographs
of life in the camp with a focus on education and the performing arts including the process of immigration leading to arrival
in the United States. The materials were assembled as part of an initiative to develop an interpretive video history of the
Latvian immigration experience to the United States.
The pilot effort to create a video history about the Latvian refugee experience was known as the "Latvian Heritage Series."
The project was launched with grant support from the American Latvian Association in 1996. Professional services by the team
were provided on a volunteer basis. The goal of the pilot program was to generate interest and financial support for the project
in the Latvian American community in the United States. The project team included Peteris Dajevskis (project administrator),
Lilita Bergs (curator/writer - deceased 2022), Vidvuds Mednis (videographer) and Ann Clausen (script editor). Project meetings
were held at the offices of Meniga Group, a video & graphics production company located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.
A number of oral history interviews were conducted to document the experience of a few persons who lived and worked at the
Esslingen DP camp in Germany. Interviews were conducted with Jānis Vinters of Tuckahoe, New York (now deceased), a teacher
and school principal in Esslingen Assembly Center (now deceased) and Jānis Aperāns (now deceased) of Carmel, New York. Mr.
Aperāns served as the UNRRA Latvian Assembly Center administrator for Esslingen in the American Zone of occupation.
Additional information and photos for this project were supplied by Zinta Kūlīts of Vancouver, Washington, who as a child
lived in the Esslingen DP camp (aka Assembly Center). Additional archival materials items for the project included photographs
that were donated by a number of others individuals. They DP documents provided here are described below.
Box 28, folder 6
PILOT VIDEO (see 15.11 for video file) Created to build interest in the "Latvian American Heritage Series" about the Latvian immigration experience
PILOT VIDEO (see 15.11 for video file). Created to build interest in the "Latvian American Heritage Series" about the Latvian
immigration experience. Supported with seed money from the American Latvian Association's Culture Division, a preliminary
video product was created. The project did not move past this phase. file 18.1 contains the printed voice-over script for
the pilot video (English and Latvian) plus interview questions that were covered during the oral history interviews with former
residents of the Assembly Center or "DP" camp located in the American Zone of Allied occupation.. An "UNRRA" pamphlet, printed
in English, about the Esslingen Assembly Center and its operations is included.
Box 29, folder 1-3
PERSONAL PHOTO ALBUMS OF JĀNIS VINTERS
Large album includes original photographs of the Latvian Esslingen school, dining room scenes with students, school group
photos, teachers, scouts/ girl guides, classroom scenes, sports activities, the school building and cemetery scenes.
Small album contains views of the city of Esslingen and images of Zinta Mekšs Kūlīts who appears to have been a student of
Mr. Vinters in Germany and gifted the album to Mr. Vinters. Additional pictures taken by Ms. Kūlīts during her 1990's post
war travels to Esslingen.
Part A: Contains certification that Jānis Vinters was the principal of the "Tautas skola" [Adult learning school] in Esslingen;
includes student report cards, Vinters' speeches/addresses.
Part B: Actors and reviews of theatrical performances at the Esslingen Theater.
Part C: Compilation of performance of operetta "Trejmeitiņas" featuring Milda Strauss and other scenes from camp life. Note:
Archive of "Milda Strauss," a resident of San Francisco, is cataloged at the Stanford Libraries.
Box 29, folder 4
PERSONAL PHOTO ALBUMS OF ZINTA KŪLĪTS
Biographical materials provided by Zinta Kūlīts Mekšs including her childhood memories growing up in the town of Memmingenberg,
Germany. File includes descriptions of life as a student at the Esslingen school. Photos of school life and scouting activities.
Also images of clergy leading groups of students in processions. (Ms. Kūlīts' father was a pastor).
Box 29, folder 5-6
ID DOCUMENT
Contains a photo of one of the great Latvian silversmiths and artisans, Juris Kļaviņš.The 1949 document affirms that the gold/silversmith
is a member of the Latvian Artisans Society of Esslingen. In the US, Mr. Kļaviņš settled in New Jersey. Both the booklet and
ID were given to Peter Dajevskis by Vidvuds Mednis, now of Kintnersville, PA, for forwarding to an archive for preservation.
A single page pamphlet presents information about the immigration of 18,000 Latvians to Canada from the DP camps of Germany.
Box 30, folder 1
EMIGRATION TO THE US FROM THE ESSLINGEN DP CAMP, PHOTOS DOCS
Contains a series of photos from the collection of Mirdza A. Jansons and her family taken as they leave the Esslingen DP camp
by train for Bremerhaven harbor in northern Germany in 1949 to immigrate to the United States. Images of the family crossing
the Atlantic to New York harbor on the US Navy ship "General Ballou" in 1949 included. The pictures were forwarded to Peter
Dajevskis by Ms. Jansons through her son UIdis Jansons of Lake Tranquility, New Jersey in the 1990s.
NOTE: The photo of a religious service being held on the deck of the navy transport ship shows Pastor Alberts Ozols. He later
became one of the pastors serving the NY Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church along with the Rev. Richards Zariņs - see the existing
Stanford Libraries collection for R. Zarins. The final picture shows lower Manhattan on August 17, 1949 as the family arrived
in New York Harbor. Each photo is documented by Ms. Jansons who lived in Hackettstown, New Jersey. She died on July 7, 2008
at the Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY. The photos were probably taken by her husband.
Box 30, folder 2
AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGY MANUAL (AUTO TECHNIKA) 1946
This training manual, typewritten in Latvian, describes and illustrates the parts of an automobile. Published in Esslingen
in 1946, it was used as a training manual to develop skills needed to find work after leaving DP camps. The signature on the
title page is that of Arnolds Gobzinis, fall 1946, in the town of Volterdingen, Germany. Mr. Gobzinis from Džūkste Township,
Latvia, was the uncle of Peter Dajevskis - now deceased. An original map of Latvia was found folded inside the manual, probably
the property of Mr. Gobzinis. Printed in Riga, Latvia, the map is glued to a lined sheet of paper for stability. The map quite
likely was an important reference for Mr. Gobzinis as he lead a wagon and a team of horses across western Latvia to Liepaja
harbor in 1944. Both he and his two sisters and niece were escaping from Zemgale province when German and Soviet forces collided
in a major battle near Džūkste, Latvia.
Box 30, folder 3
FOLDER CONTAINING HANDWRITTEN MUSIC
The folder is from the DP era collection of conductor Roberts Balodis (now-deceased) of Brentwood, NY (Long Island). Upon
immigration to the United States, Mr. Balodis was the conductor of the church choir of the New York Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church
in Melville, NY. The music was passed on to Peter Dajevskis for safe keeping by Krista Nīgals of Portland Maine. She is the
conductor's granddaughter.
Box 30, folder 4
GERMAN PUBLICATION "SCHONES ESSLINGEN" [BEAUTY OF ESSLINGEN], BECHTLE 1986
Box 30, folder 5-6
LATVIAN DP MMIGRATION TO SENATOBIA, MISSISSIPPI 1949
Photos in this file document the church that Latvian DP's renovated in 1949 upon immigration to farms in Mississippi. A summary
is provided about the immigrant experience of about 1,400 Latvians coming from various DP camps in Germany to Northern Mississippi.
They worked on farms in the Senatobia area at a time when many African American farm workers had migrated from the south to
Chicago and other Midwest cities as part of the Great Migration. Background information about the project was prepared by
Vidvuds Mednis of Kintnersville,PA. His report describes the documentation efforts of Aina Ozols and Ilona Students who visited
Senatobia in August 1993. A letter from Pastor Richards Zarīņš of the New York Evangelical Lutheran Church offers interesting
insights about this group of immigrants. The pastor took a train from New York to visit Senatobia, Mississippi in 1949 to
meet up with the recently arrived immigrants.
An account summarizes the research team's effort to negotiate the purchase of a church object remaining from the immigrant
period. This was a Latvian traditional candelabrum which was found still hanging at the vacant church. Most members of the
Latvian community had moved north by that time. In August 1996, the vacant church was destroyed by a fierce fire (photos and
newspaper accounts provided). Subsequently, in September 1996, Vidvuds Mednis and the researchers revisited the site of the
burned church with the goal to interview residents and to gather additional information about the community (documents included
in the file). A number of oral history interviews were recorded on video with various Senatobia residents familiar with the
Latvian experience in Northern Mississippi. [Video footage not included]. Documentation from Senatobia, Mississippi was donated
by Vidvuds Mednis and subsequently organized by Peteris Dajevskis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in March 2023.
Box 30, folder 7
LATVIESU TRIMDENIEKU "DP" Kolonijas Vacija : ESLINGENAS STASTS
Series 19. Awards, Posters, Prints, Etc.
Box 31, folder 1
Envelope containing various awards, letter of appreciation and commendations given to Evalds Dajevskis 1958-1989
1958 Certificate of Commendation for achievement in painting at the art exhibition of the Latvian Song Festival in New York.
1963 General Karl Goppers Fund award for set and costume design for the Anna Brigadere play "Sprīdītis."
1975 General Karl Goppers Fund award for the set and costume design for the Anna Brigadere play "Princese Gundega un Karalis
Brusubarda."
1976 The Canadian Song Festival Organizing Committee's Recognition honoring the set design for the J. Rainis play "Rīgas Ragana"
(The Witch of Riga)."
1987 The American Latvian Artists' Association recognition of Evalds Dajevskis as its Honorary Member and recognition of his
significant achievements in Latvian art
1988 Certificate of Commendation for achievement in set design for the 8th Latvian Song Festival, USA held in Indianapolis,
IN
1989 General Karl Goppers Fund award for achievement in the visual arts.
Box 31, folder 2
Large format prints of Evalds Dajevskis' paintings and other materials
19.3.1 Original document of The Meerbeck Latvian Theater with by-laws of the company in 1945. Mounted on illustration board
by Evalds Dajevskis for his produced 1982 traveling show presenting the scenography behind the Latvian Theater in Germany
and the United States. See file 8.2.
19.3.2 Parking permits for Evalds Dajevskis car during on-site filming of the film The Wiz at various locations for Universal/Motown
Productions. The Wiz was a 1978 American musical fantasy film directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
19.3.3 Trufaldino in Carlo Goldoni's play A Servant of Two Masters as performed by Osvalds Uršteins in his final performance
with the American Latvian Theater, 1980. See file 4.5 for details.
19.3.4 Original mock up for a scene in the set design for the 1988 Andrejs Jansons musical "Gundega." See file 4.5 for details.
19.3.5 Poster for the 1989 exhibition of Evalds Dajevskis art organized by the Šmilģu Theater Museum in Riga. Curator of the
show was Dzintra Andrušaite who in 2002 published a book called Evalds Dajevskis: 1914-1990. The book is in the collection
of the Stanford University Libraries.
19.3.6 Reproduction of the "The Mythic Latvian Farmstead" (Acrylic on Masonite: 34.75 in x 45 in.) painted in 1989, the artist's
last work. Original in the collection of the Liepaja Museum, Liepaja, Latvia.
19.3.7 Greeting sent to Evalds Dajevskis in October 1989 at the annual meeting of the American Latvian Artists Association
(Amerikas Latviešu mākslinieku apvienība- ALMA). Signed by notable Latvian artists and colleagues gathered at the New York
Latvian Church property in Elka Park, NY. The inscription reads:
Dear Evalds! We waited for you at the ALMA meeting, but it looks like we will have to wait another year here at our gathering
in the Catskills. We send you our greetings (signed October 1, 1989).
[Note: At the time that this greeting was written. Evalds Dajevskis had been diagnosed with cancer and was unable to travel].
19.3.8 Illustration by Evalds Dajevskis in the December 19, 1990 issue of the Latvian language periodical "LAIKS," Brooklyn,
NY. The front page cover of the Christmas issue depicts the towers of New York City and the steeples of Riga on the other
side of the Atlantic. This illustration was created for LAIKS by Evalds Dajevskis years earlier for another Christmas issue.
The reprint honors his passing in June 1990.
19.3.9 Original clipping from the New York Times International Section (August 5, 2007) showing image of Evalds Dajevskis
in the archives of the International Tracing Service, Bad Arolsen, Germany. See file 8.7 for details.
Box 31, folder 3
Guest book signed by visitors to the opening of Evalds Dajevskis last one-man show, entitled "The Art of Theater" 1990
Box 32
Original construction drawings prepared by Evalds Dajevskis for the musical "Gundega" composed by Andrejs Jansons based on a play by Anna Brigadere 1988
Construction drawings prepared by Evalds Dajevskis for the musical "Gundega" composed by Andrejs Jansons based on a play by
Anna Brigadere. In 1988 the two act musical based on folklore themes, was performed in New York and at the Latvian Song and
Dance Festival held in Indianapolis, IN. See file 4.5 for more details.
Box 33
Print of painting entitled "Revolution at the Fulton Fish Market" by Evalds Dajevskis 1985