Augusts Vilis Abakuks

1914-1994
Significant public worker

Augusts Vilis Abakuks was born on 12 December 1914 in Aizezere, Balvi parish. His father was a long-time parish elder and chairman of the parish court. He started his school career at Balvi Town Primary School. In 1933 he graduated from Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Gymnasium in Riga. He initially studied theology at the University of Latvia (1933-1934) but a year later switched to the Law Department, and in 1943 obtained a Master's degree. He then studied economics, taking on public duties, for example, as Secretary General of the Latvian Youth Union. After his studies, he moved to Abrene, where he started working for the Abrene County Municipality, soon becoming a county elder.

In the autumn of 1944 he went into exile, initially to Germany, and from the spring of 1947 he settled in England. He earned his living as a simple factory worker. At the same time, he began to identify and organise Latvians, founding and managing a branch of the Daugavas Vanagi Fund (DVF).

In 1950, as a result of his efforts, the Latvian National Council in Great Britain (LNCGB) was established. He was the chairman of the organization until 1985.

In 1951/1952, the European Centre of the Latvian Restoration Committee was established with the agreement of the representatives of the political parties of the European countries. There, Abakuks served as Secretary General and from 1957 to 1965 as Chairman. He also participated in the formation of the World Association of Free Latvians (WAFL), first as Deputy Chairman of the WAFL Board and later as a member of its Board.

Upons Abakuks’ initiative, the LNPL Presidium decided to purchase the Almeley House in order to establish a centre for Latvian traditions - the Latvian House.

Abakuks was the chairman of the organising committee for the 80th commemoration of the I Song Festival in London (1953), honorary chairman of the organising committee for the 11th English Song Days (1986) and has participated in the organisation of countless other Latvian song festivals, song days, and cultural days.

Abakuks is awarded a Certificate of Appreciation and Golden Badge from the Central Board of Daugavas Vanagi organization.

Information sources

Andrups, J. (1989, 4. decembris). Suminājums darba vīram. Augustam Abakukam 75 gadi. Brīvā Latvija, 45 (154), 5. Brīvā Latvija: Apvienotā "Londonas Avīze" un "Latvija", Nr.45 (04.12.1989) (periodika.lv)

Augusts Vilis Abakuks. (b.g.). Latgales dati (du.lv)

Augusts Vilis Abakuks. (b.g.). Augusts Vilis Abakuks (timenote.info)