Exhibition “The First Years in Britain” tells the stories of Latvian refugees who started new lives in Britain after World War II.
After the war, the United Kingdom was one of the first countries to welcome Latvian refugees. It created special labour programs called “Balt Cygnet” and “Westward Ho!” to encourage refugees living in German camps to migrate to Britain. By 1950 the Latvian community in the UK comprised around 13,000 people.
The exhibition uses quotes from eyewitnesses, historical objects, and photographs to show what life was like for Latvians in Britain during the 1940s and 1950s. They worked in hospitals, coal mines, and on farms. Many lived in simple housing like shared rooms, hostels, or even old army barracks. Some studied in British schools and universities. All of them had one thing in common: they had lost their homeland, gone through difficult times in refugee camps, and hoped for a better, peaceful future.
Life in the first years was not easy – food rationing in the UK continued until 1952. The work was physically demanding and paid very little, and refugees could not switch jobs unless they got special permission from the government. Most were separated from their families at first but were later able to bring their loved ones to Britain. Still, some Latvians found the hardships too great and decided to leave again — to Canada, Australia, or the United States — in search of better opportunities.
Exhibition Team
Curator: Marianna Auliciema
Graphic Design: Jeremy Smedes
Exhibition Design: Uldis Dimiševskis
Special thanks to Geoff Allnutt for his contribution to preserving the story of Arvīds Pūrs and for donating his personal items to the museum.
Supporters
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, State Culture Capital Foundation, Riga City Council
Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Fri 12:00–18:00, Thu 12:00–20:00 until June 30, 2025.
Address: Dzirnavu str. 84/2. Riga, Latvia
