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Fabric From Home, Across the Sea

Saka folk costume. Made by Sofija Sinka (née Zommere, 1924–2014) in the 1960s, in Molkom, Sweden.

Sofija Zommere and her brother fled to Sweden in 1944, disembarking from a refugee boat on the coast of Gotland. Sofija had taken along from Latvia home-woven fabric for a Saka folk costume skirt. In the early years of exile, Sofija sang in Teodors Reiters’ choir in Stockholm. When Sofija married the artist and pharmacist Imants Sinka in 1952, the family moved to Molkom, Värmland. There she made her own Saka folk costume using the fabric she had brought with her when fleeing Latvia.

Donated by Silvija Sinka. From the collection of the Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre (LP2023.52.1-5).
Sofija Sinka in her homemade Saka folk costume at her home in Molkom, Värmland, Sweden, in the 1960s. Donated by Sofija Sinka. From the collection of the Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre.