book: Latvians in Michigan (Discovering the Peoples of Michigan)

book: Latvians in Michigan (Discovering the Peoples of Michigan) | Silvija D. Meija ...

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	• Latvians in Michigan (Discovering the Peoples of Michigan) Silvija D. Meija Michigan State University Press, 2005 - 121 pages average customer review:based on 1 review view larger image
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Latvians in Michigan

Latvians in Michigan is a wonderful book full of factual and personal glimpses of the Latvian families who came to America in the late 1940s when the Communists took over their homeland. The history is facinating and the personal journeys many of our Latvian neighbors and friends made were captivating reading. I have a new understanding and reverence for their customs, intelligence, the many gifts they bring to our communities and their commitment to preserving their country's traditions. There are many recipes for Latvian food and I loved the personal accounts told by those who attended and sent their children to the Latvian camp at Long Lake, Three Rivers, Michigan. I highly recommend this book for its readability, history and humanity. Bravo, Dr. Meija! Janet Howell-Obert

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Latvians have contributed to the cultural mosaic and economy of Michigan far more than one might imagine. There are three large Latvian communities in Michigan - Kalamazoo, Detroit, and Grand Rapids - with several smaller enclaves elsewhere in the state. An underlying goal of Latvians who now live in Michigan, as well as other parts of the United States and Canada, is to maintain their language and culture. More than five thousand Latvians came to Michigan after World War II, found gainful employment, purchased homes, and became a part of the Michigan population. Most sought to re-educate themselves and struggled to educate their children in Michigan's many colleges and universities. "Latvians in Michigan" examines Latvia and its history, and describes how World War II culminated in famine, death, and eventual flight from their homeland by many Latvian refugees. After the war ended, most Latvian emigrants eventually made their way to Sweden or Germany, where they lived in displaced persons camps. From there, the emigrants were sponsored by individuals or organizations and they moved once again to other parts of the world. Many came to the United States, where they established new roots and tried to perpetuate their cultural heritage while establishing new lives.

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