Related by Marriage: Anthony

Würzburg, Germany, June 22, 1947. This is a cousin of Mr. Irene's Dad. He sat for the photo at the Würzburg Displaced Persons Camp.

Dainų Šventė

The "Dainų Šventė," or "Festival of Song," is an established Lithuanian tradition. Like the Folk Dance Festivals, the Festivals of Song occur at regular intervals, usually every four years. The history of the Festivals of Song dates to the 1920s. Today, the Festivals are modernized affairs; some even feature Lithuanian rappers.

During the years of Soviet occupation, the Displaced Persons maintained the custom of staging Festivals of Song while they lived abroad. The DPs living in Germany organized a Festival in 1948. The 1948 "Dainų Šventė" took place in Würzburg.

Würzburg, Germany, 1948. Mr. Irene's Dad—standing in the back, at the center—travels to the Dainų Šventė. Standing directly in front of Mr. Irene's Dad are his maternal Uncle, "Uncle D," and Uncle D's wife, Danutė. Ignas, the older brother of Mr. Irene's Dad, is at the far left.

Here's a photo by which to remember us.

Würzburg, Germany, perhaps 1949. My friend Kris's Uncle Al—he's the one on the left with the wavy hair—joins two friends on what may have been the day he and his family sailed to America.

Uncle Al, "The Wave"

Würzburg, Germany, perhaps 1949. My Mom's best friend, Donna, enjoys a moment with her brother, Uncle Al. This photo illustrates Al's wavy hair. Someone likely snapped the image on the same day he or she took this shot.

I love this photo. Thanks to my friend Kris for making it available to us.

Sock as Accessories

Würzburg, Germany, about 1946. I noted earlier that so many of the Displaced Persons were quite fashionable. My friend Kris's Uncle Al was no exception. 

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

Self Governance

Würzburg, Germany, 1946. This is the "Lithuanian Committee" that worked with UNRRA at the Displaced Persons camp.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

At the net.

Würzburg, Germany, 1946. The Displaced Persons engage in another volleyball game.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

A good time was had by all.

Würzburg, Germany, perhaps 1949. Uncle Al, the maternal Uncle of my friend Kris, takes a tumble while his sister, Kris's Mom Donna, watches on the far left. To your left, behind Uncle Al, stands Al's and Donna's Mother, laughing. Also laughing is their Father, who stands to your right, behind Al.

I can't pin when this photo was taken. The subjects all wear tags, and Uncle Al again sports that sweater he wore when he boarded the ship that transported the family to the United States. Perhaps this was a departure shot.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

First Place

Würzburg, Germany, 1946. This group of Lithuanians took first place at the Displaced Persons folk dance contest. Uncle Al, the maternal Uncle of my friend Kris, is the fellow in the center, facing the camera. He's easy to spot because of his hair wave. Uncle Al continued folk dancing after he emigrated to the United States.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

Musical Afternoon

Würzburg, Germany, about 1946. Uncle Al—the maternal Uncle of my friend Kris—entertains a fellow Displaced Person. Uncle Al was musically gifted. He often played the piano when he visited our home.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

Whimsy in the Woods

Würzburg, Germany, about 1946. A group of scouts from the Displaced Persons camp creates a musical moment.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

"From now on, we have 'full' beer."

Würzburg, Germany, about 1946. Three Displaced Persons react to the announcement that Vollbier will be available at the DP camp. The fellow on the far right is my friend Kris's Uncle Al.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

Beginnings

Displaced Persons who fled Lithuania sought refuge in DP Camps established by UNRRA after World War II ended.

Mainfranken, or "Franconia," is a Bavarian, administrative district in Germany. The Mainfranken Displaced Persons Control Center was the place at which UNRRA processed those Displaced Persons who would be relocated to Würzburg or Schweinfurt. The DP camps in Würzburg and Schweinfurt were part of the U.S. Zone of the Allied, post-war, occupation of Germany.

This means my Dad, his twin sister Jonė, and their mother, Tatjana, all shuffled through the Mainfranken Control Center before settling—for the next five years—in Schweinfurt.

It's also the place at which my friend Kris's Mom, Donna, her Uncle Al, and Donna's Parents received permission to secure housing in Würzburg. Mr. Irene's paternal Uncle, Ignas, also would have passed through Mainfranken on his way to Würzburg.

Mainfranken, Germany, 1945. Displaced Persons await processing at the UNRRA Control Center. A priest and two altar boys also greet the refugees. Notice that the DPs have few belongings.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

Memorial

Würzburg, Germany, about 1948. Mr. Irene's paternal Uncle, Ignas (on the left), prepares to speak at the memorial service of a friend.

Closing Ceremony

Würzburg, Germany, 1946. The Displaced Persons who formed the men's volleyball team march after their game. My friend Kris's Uncle Al is second from the right; he's the one with the longer, wavy hair brushed to the side.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.

Related by Marriage: Thinking about home.

Würzburg, Germany, December 7, 1948. This is Mr. Irene's Great Aunt, Danutė. Danutė married "Uncle D," the brother of Mr. Irene's paternal Grandmother, Veronica. Here, Danutė, a Displaced Person, poses in Lithuanian folkdress.

The Volleyball Team

Würzburg, Germany, 1946. A group of Displaced Persons prepares for another volleyball match. Uncle Al, the maternal Uncle of my friend Kris, stands second the right.

Thanks to Kris for making this photo available to us.

Choir Culture

Würzburg, Germany, 1946. The Lithuanian choir from the Würzburg Displaced Persons camp performs for camp residents. The choir likely had ties to the camp's folk dance group.

Basketball Victory

Würzburg, Germany, about 1946. My friend Kris's maternal Uncle Al, second from right, poses with his Displaced-Persons-camp team after a basketball game. Uncle Al wrote on the back of the photo, "After a successful match with our brothers, the Latvians."

Thanks to Kris for making this photo available to us.

Volleyball

Würzburg, Germany, 1946. Displaced Persons at the Würzburg camp engage in a volleyball game.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.