Workshops in refugee camps

People in refugee camps used their free time to organise and participate in various workshops. To dispel despair and pass the time, refugees were keen on handicrafts and made various works of both fine and applied arts. New and useful skills, such as electronics repair, cobbling and repairing shoes, etc., were taught. Classes were taught by professionals from Latvia, for example, at the Esslingen camp, the fine arts studio was led by Latvian Art Academy professors Jānis Kuga, Ludolfs Liberts and Augusts Annus. Crafters made gifts for their children, friends and neighbours, both inside and outside the camps. They also made Latvian folk costumes. As materials were scarce in the refugee camps in the post-war years, creativity was applied to use what was at hand – looms were made from wood reclaimed from ruined buildings, while jewellery was made from tin cans and other available materials.