Latvians who had fled to the West to escape the re-invading Soviets were only just starting over their lives in the diaspora. The first Latvian song festival in America was a natural outgrowth and continuation of the "Song Days" (Dziesmu Dienas) Latvians held in the Displaced Persons (DP) camps in Europe after WWII, carrying on a tradition which started with the first song festival in Latvia in 1873, during the National Awakening.
The festival was held May 30th, 1953. Twenty-two choirs and 650 singers participated, with an audience of about 5,000. It was the first such festival held outside Latvia—starting a tradition which lasted throughout the Soviet era and which continues today, bringing together those of Latvian heritage, their family and friends from all over the world.
- ABOUT
- The Star-Spangled Banner
- Dievs, Svētī Latviju (Kārlis Baumanis) — God Bless Latvia, the national anthem of Latvia
- Mūsu Tēvs Debesīs (Andrejs Jurjāns) — Our Father Who Art in Heaven (The Lord's Prayer)
- Gaismas Pils (J. Vītols) — Palace of Light
- Senatne (E. Melngailis, text by Jānis Rainis) — Olden Times
- Lauztās Priedes (E. Dārziņš, text by Jānis Rainis) — Broken Pines
- Incīti-Kaķīti (folk song, arranged by J. Graubiņš) — Incīti-Pussycat
- Latvijā (P. Barisons, text by J. Akuraters) — In Latvia
- Dzērves un Ērglis (V. Ozoliņš, text by J. Jaunsudrabiņš) — The Cranes and the Eagle
- Ceļš uz Dzimteni (J. Zālīts, text by P. Blaus) — The Homeland-Bound Road
- Tek Saulīte (folk song, arranged by D. Cimze) — The Sun Goes Flowing
- Dziedot Dzimu (folk song, arranged by A. Kalniņš) — Born Singing
- Ej, Saulīte, Drīz Pie Dieva (folk song, arranged by A. Jērums) — Leave, Sunshine, Go Soon to God
- Kurš Putniņis Dzied Tik Koši (J. Kalniņš) — What Bird Sings As Brightly?
- Pie Sētiņas (J. Norvilis, text by J. Ezeriņš) — At the Garden Fence
- Ak Tad (folk song, arranged by A. Ābele) — So Then
- Jāņuvakars, from "Maija" (E. Melngailis) — Jani Night
- Tēvijai (A. Jurjāns) — Unto Our Homeland
- Abavmalā (J. Norvilis, text by Velta Sniķere) — On the Banks of the Abava
- Mūžam Zili ir Latvijas Kalni (E. Dārziņš, text adapted from K. Skalbe) — Forever Azure are Latvia's Hills
- Pie Baltijas Jūras (J. Straume) — At the Baltic Sea