Children retrace history of former Latvian school in Münster

Children from the Ūsiņš Latvian school in Münster and former pupils of the city’s Latvian secondary school toured places where generations of Latvian students once studied. The visit marks 80 years since the school’s beginnings, LSM reported.

The school no longer exists. One of its former buildings now houses a fire station, while a chestnut tree still stands beside what was once the schoolyard, where there was also a basketball hoop. Former pupils showed the locations to children and parents from Ūsiņš.

The school began in other German cities and operated in Münster from 1957. It later moved into purpose-built school and boarding facilities, where students studied and lived in a Latvian-speaking environment. Young people from different countries met there and spoke Latvian, said former pupil and teacher Viktors Kangeris, who also ran the boarding house.

Former pupil Aija Ebdene said she was proud of the school and pleased that people remain interested in its history. Another alumnus, Arnis Drille, recalled that the school was both his home and his social and cultural life.

The Latvian Centre in Münster, a Latvian community center, continues the school’s legacy by preserving traditions and strengthening national identity, said board member Elīna Krauze. The Ūsiņš school still operates there. After the tour, children, parents and former pupils gathered at the center for soup and cake and continued sharing memories.