"Waltzing Matilda" and "Home Among the Gumtrees" has resounded through Riga Central Library in Latvia as Australians from the Shoalhaven and Melbourne celebrated a unique cultural event.
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The group of 14, inspired by Cambewarra man Peter Jirgens’ memoir, 'Out of Latvia' written by Gerroa’s David Kerr, combined with the Melbourne Latvian Male Choir under the direction of Sandra Birze.
The choir performed three stirring Latvian songs supporting the visual presentation of the book by Peter and David.
The event drew an enthusiastic audience of more than 150 and was a celebration of Australian and Latvian culture during Latvia's Song and Dance Festival, held every five years.
The festival started with a procession of over 42,000 choir members, dressed in national dress, dancing and singing to the applause of thousands of spectators.
International choirs join with local choirs in a week of cultural celebration in a land that wrenched itself free from Communist Soviet control in 1991.
Australia is represented at the festival by five choirs, including two from Sydney, of which Gerringong veterinarian Andrejs Medenis is a member.
Peter is leading the Latvian pilgrimage to the land of his father Arnold, who immigrated to Australia after the war.
Peter and his wife Margie and their three adult children joined the emotional tour, visiting family and friends, the ancestral home and the grave of Peter's grandmother and uncle, that now contains the ashes of his mother and father.
In a bizarre twist, the book's author's Latvian dream turned into a nightmare when his credit cards and passport were either lost or stolen.
Inquiries directed to Australian Consul in Latvia by phone and email met with stony silence.
After wasted days the Australian Consul in Stockholm advised, contrary to information on the website.
"There is no Australian representative in Latvia. You'll need to go to Lithuania, Estonia or Stockholm to complete your application," Kerr said.
"I was devastated. How could I manage to fulfil my responsibilities with the cultural activities and book launch and secure a replacement passport for my international flight home?"
After an anxious week, the support of the group and the Australian Consul in Copenhagen, the issue was resolved.
"The resounding success of the book launch/cultural event healed the trauma. If there is a sequel to 'Out of Latvia' it could be called, 'Get me Out of Latvia’” he laughed.