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Beautiful Balts: From Displaced Persons to New Australians

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After World War II, Australia opened its doors to a wave of displaced persons (DPs) from Europe. Among them were thousands of Balts from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

Beautiful Balts: From displaced persons to new Australians

by Hans Joas

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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These Baltic DPs had been uprooted from their homes by the war and had spent years in refugee camps. They came to Australia with little more than the clothes on their backs and a determination to rebuild their lives.

The Balts quickly made a name for themselves in Australia. They were hard-working and ambitious, and they soon found jobs in a variety of industries. They also brought with them their rich culture and traditions, which they shared with their new Australian neighbors.

One of the most visible contributions of the Balts to Australian society was their music. Many Baltic DPs were talented musicians, and they quickly formed choirs and orchestras. These groups performed at festivals and concerts throughout Australia, and they helped to introduce Australian audiences to the beauty of Baltic folk music.

The Balts also made significant contributions to Australian literature, art, and science. Many Baltic writers, artists, and scientists came to Australia after the war, and they quickly made their mark on the country's cultural and intellectual landscape.

Today, the Baltic community in Australia is thriving. There are now more than 100,000 Australians of Baltic descent, and they continue to make a significant contribution to the country's culture and society.

The Baltic Exodus

The Baltic exodus began in 1944, when the Soviet Union invaded the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The Soviets quickly established communist regimes in all three countries, and many Balts fled to the West.

The majority of Baltic refugees ended up in displaced persons camps in Germany. These camps were overcrowded and unsanitary, and the refugees lived in constant fear of being repatriated to the Soviet Union.

In 1949, the Australian government agreed to accept 20,000 Baltic DPs for resettlement. The first group of Balts arrived in Australia in 1950, and they were soon followed by thousands more.

The Baltic Community in Australia

The Balts quickly settled into their new lives in Australia. They found jobs, bought homes, and started families. They also established their own churches, schools, and community organizations.

The Baltic community in Australia is a close-knit and vibrant one. Balts are proud of their heritage, and they continue to celebrate their culture and traditions.

The Baltic community has also made a significant contribution to Australian society. Balts have served in the Australian military, worked in government and business, and contributed to the arts, sciences, and humanities.

The story of the Baltic DPs is one of courage, resilience, and success. They came to Australia with nothing, but they quickly rebuilt their lives and made a significant contribution to their new country.

The Baltic community in Australia is a testament to the power of the human spirit. They have overcome adversity and built a new life for themselves and their families. They are a proud and successful community, and they are an important part of the Australian story.

Beautiful Balts: From displaced persons to new Australians

by Hans Joas

5 out of 5