Antanas Sabaniauskas "Tukstanciai Ziedu" 1933

"A Thousand Blossoms" One family's photos from pre-WWII Lithuania (Rokiskis district). When the Russians occupied Lithuania the family was dispersed. Some fled West, some were killed in the hostilities, and some were exiled to Siberia. Antanas Sabaniauskas Lithuania's leading pop tenor, whose music was played throughout Europe, a wonderful and big-hearted man who died in obscurity, reviled by his government. The tragedy of Sabaniauskas life, parallels the tragedy of Lithuania. Occupied by the Russians with the collaborator Lithuanian government, Lithuania's greatest talents were judged by their love of freedom, rather than talent. When the war ended, Sabaniauskas was able to work as a singer in the Lithuanian National Opera chorus. In 1947, when the Communists found out who he was, he was fired. For the rest of his days he eked out a living doing menial jobs barely able to support himself and his family. In the 70s he was finally allowed to sing in clubs. Like so many things in our lovely little country, who knows how his life would have turned out, and how many people in the world might have enjoyed the singing of this amazing vocalist, had Lithuania remained free. Photos used by permission of the family.