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The Latvian-Speaking Community in Australia The Latvian language is most closely related to Lithuanian. They are the only two surviving members of the Baltic language group, which is distinct from Slavic or Germanic languages. More than one million Latvian folk songs and their variations have been documented by researchers, a statistic used to illustrate the complexity and variety of the culture. The first known migrant from Latvia was the convicted thief, Aaron Wolf, who was born in Riga, moved to England and transported to Australia in 1829 for the theft of 14 watches. There were few Latvian immigrants during Australia's colonial period but by 1891, according to one estimate, there were 158 Latvian-born people in the country. After the 1905 Russian Revolution, an increasing number of Latvians, including some prominent anti-Tsarists, settled in Australia. In 1913 the first Latvian organisation was founded in Sydney. Known as the Latvian Club or Sydney Latvian Society, it became the cultural and social heart of the migrant community. It remained in existence until 1926, when it split into two factions, one nationalistic, the other with strong left-wing leanings which supported the Russian Revolution and opposed an independent Latvia. In the post-war era, the first large group of Latvians arrived in November 1947. This wave of migration ended around 1953. During this period nearly 20,000 Latvians entered Australia. The most important event for the Latvian community is the annual Australian Latvian Cultural Festival, first held in 1951. The venue for the event rotates between Australia's capital cities. The next festival is scheduled for December 1999/January2000 in Melbourne. Organisations serving Australia's Latvian-speaking community: New South Wales Latvian House and Sydney Latvian Society 32 Parnell St., Strathfield NSW Phone 02 9744 8500 Fax 02 9747 6055 Honorary Consul in New South Wales Mr A.BIRZULIS 32 Parnell St., Strathfield Phone 02 9744 8500 Fax 02 9747 6055 Lutheran Church in Australia 30 Bridge Rd., Homebush 2140 Phone 02 9746 1934 Fax 02 9764 3318 Latvian Association of Australia and New Zealand South Australia 27 Aroha Terrace Black Forest SA 5035 Phone 08 8293 4218 Tasmania 74 Springfield Ave., Moonah TAS 7009 Phone 0262 799179 Western Australia 146 Riverview Ave., Sth Guilford WA 6055 Phone 08 9277 6884 Queensland 4 Marmindie St., Chapel Hill QLD 4069 Phone 07 378 0319 Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, Chairperson: Randolph Alwis PO Box 344 Curtin, ACT 2605 Phone:02 6282 5755 Fax: 02 6282 5734 SBS Radio's Latvian Language Program presents special coverage of these and other important events throughout the year. Special Events Calendar March 25 Remembrance Day for Latvians deported to Siberia by the Soviets in 1949. May 4 Independence Day, 1990. June Latvian Theatre Festival. June 14 Remembrance Day for Latvians deported to the Siberian gulags in 1941. June 24 John's Day, a Summer Festival. November 18 Independence Day 1918. December Latvian Cultural Festival held in Melbourne from December 25th. |
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