Solving a Choir Photo Mystery
This photo was discovered among various items donated to the Museum/Archives by the administrators of the Estate of Juozas Vyšniauskas. At first, both the date and the location of the event were a mystery, as no details were recorded on the photograph itself. However, the image contained several important clues:
- Many individuals are wearing traditional Lithuanian clothing;
- The American flag is flying from the middle flagpole in the background.
Further investigation confirmed that the photo was taken at the 1946 Lithuanian Song Festival, held at a displaced persons camp in Würzburg, Germany.
Identifying the date and location allowed for more detailed research. Although Würzburg was primarily a Latvian camp, it was chosen as the festival site because of its proximity to several Lithuanian displaced persons camps in the region. Records show that approximately 400 Lithuanians gathered that day to form the choir, with Bronius Budriūnas (visible in the foreground, wearing a white shirt and white tie) serving as Choir Director. The performance was broadcast by radio stations in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.
Würzburg was located in the American Zone of post‑war Germany, which explains the presence of the American flag. Because the site was a Latvian-administered camp, the Latvian flag appears on the flagpole to the right. The flag on the left is likely that of the United Nations/UNRRA.
This festival is just one example of the many cultural activities—sports, music, theatre, and even schools—that were organized in refugee camps throughout Germany to support morale and preserve cultural continuity. We are also including a few photos of the event taken from contemporary newspaper clippings.
Photo Credit: Jonas Akšis
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