Author: Klaustina, Elza
Title: Mezs Runa. Dziesmu Un Deju Spele 3 Celienos (the Forest Speaks. A Song-and-Dance Play in 3 Acts))
Description: Kleinkeca (Kleinkotz): Approved by UNRRA, 1947. Softcover. First edition; oblong 7 1/2 x 8 1/4; pp. 2-23, [1]; beige lithographed wraps; thin cuts to tips of spine; a bit of spotting and dust-dulling to wraps; faint vertical crease through middle; gift inscription to front wrap verso; illustrated with numerous drawings by the author; very good condition. In Latvian. An adorable play for little children, the book was published at the Kleinkolz DP (displaced persons) camp in Germany, for the children of its residents. Millions of Russians, Ukrainians, etc. spent time after the Second World War at the repurposed concentration camps and SS barracks, governed by the Soviet and US American occupational forces, between 1945 and 1948, before being forcefully repatriated back to their homelands, emigrating to the US and Canada, or committing suicide. In the author's own words, she had worked at the kindergarten of the camp and had been amazed at how artistic and capable the kids were, when presented with an opportunity. Wanting to give them a chance to express themselves, Klaustina directed the current play and had 40 children perform it for parents and spectators in November of 1946. Met with uproarious success, she continued adding more characters and the following performances had up to 60 little actors between the ages of 3 and 7 years old. She put the play into book form, hoping that it would get distributed throughout other DP camps, just so their children could also dance, and sing, and play, and feel a little happiness. Ill.: 0. 2.

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