After the second world war, Esslingen am Neckar was home to what was the largest Latvian war refugee camp in Germany. Despite all odds, they managed to achieve a rich cultural life there, culminating in the first song festival held in exile.
This weekend the city will host more than ten events including a parade, choral and dance concerts, as well as a play dedicated to Eslingen with about 60 participants from eight countries.
The city, which remained largely intact during the war, has a special flavor to it due to the abundance of 13th-century buildings.
A camp holding 7,000 Latvian war refugees was established shortly after the second world war in Esslingen.
"This meeting in Esslingen - both with the historical event, and with the people - is something extraordinary and unique ... Generations, stories, meetings - that's what these three days are about," said coordinator Laura Putāne.
