Vytautas Beliajus
Encyclopedia
Vytautas Finadar Beliajus (often called "Vyts", born February 26, 1908 in Pakumprys, Lithuania
, died September 20, 1994) is considered the father of international folk dancing
in the United States
. He specialized in Lithuania
n dance, but performed and taught many other types of dance as well. He published multiple books on the subjects of dance and ethnicity, and also started the folklore magazine Viltis
.
Beliajus was born in Lithuania and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 14 years old. He had two younger brothers, Leonas and Julius, and a sister, Gyte Jekentes.
For his contributions to dance education, he was honored in 1972 by the National Dance Association
with the Heritage Award.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, died September 20, 1994) is considered the father of international folk dancing
International folk dance
International folk dance is a genre of dance wherein selected folk dances from multiple ethnic groups are done by the same dancers, typically as part of a regular recreational dance club, for performances or at other events. The dances are typically considered the products of national or cultural...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He specialized in Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n dance, but performed and taught many other types of dance as well. He published multiple books on the subjects of dance and ethnicity, and also started the folklore magazine Viltis
Viltis
Viltis is a magazine of folklore and folk dance. It was created by Vytautas Beliajus in the 1940s and was one of the first magazines devoted to folk customs and arts. It is illustrated and printed in English. "Viltis" means "hope" in the Lithuanian language. Viltis scope is international, and a...
.
Beliajus was born in Lithuania and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 14 years old. He had two younger brothers, Leonas and Julius, and a sister, Gyte Jekentes.
For his contributions to dance education, he was honored in 1972 by the National Dance Association
National Dance Association
The , headquartered in Reston, VA, is an association within the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance...
with the Heritage Award.