One of the many missions of the American Latvian Association (ALA) is to save many of the books used in Latvian schools during the time of exile and make available digital copies of them, to ensure the materials are available for future generations to benefit from.

ALA has made available a digital copy of one of the most popular and beloved Latvian song books – Lokaitiesi, mežu gali. Originally published in 1981 and used throughout Latvian schools in the United States and elsewhere, Lokaitiesi, mežu gali was used by multiple generations of Latvian children to learn Latvian folk songs.

Compiled by Valda Lēvenšteina, the song book collects more than fifty of the most popular and best-known Latvian folk songs, including the music, and each picture is accompanied by charming and lovely illustrations by artists Dzintra Lejiņa and Ilze Freivalde-Loxley.

Lokaitiesi, mežu gali is an invaluable resource for Latvian children, parents and schools, and provides many examples of the richness and beauty of Latvian folk songs.

The song book can be downloaded here – Lokaitiesi, mežu gali