Osvalds Štrauss
1927–2014
Choreographer, educator
Born 8 July 1927 in Kalnciems Parish. Studied at Kalnciems Elementary School, Bulduri State Horticultural-Apiary School, Bulduri Horticultural Technical School and graduated from the Latvian Academy of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy (1967). Received a Master’s degree in Educational theory from the Latvian University of Agriculture on the topic The Preparation of Schoolchildren for Dance Celebrations and its Educational-theory Aspect (1997).
Worked at the Bulduri Horticultural High School for more than 50 years, teaching beekeeping and surveying, being deputy principal for more than ten years. At the same time, practiced the second love of his life – dance – and led the Bulduri Horticultural School dance group.
Štrauss is the author of 20 new dances and choreographic arrangements. Has acquired a lot of experience in staging major performance as an assistant to Helēna Tangijeva-Birzniece, Milda Lasmane and Ingrīda Saulīte. In total, the artist has been Chief choreographer for 43 dances during Dance Celebrations, creating ambitious arena-choreography for the massed dance groups.
Štrauss has developed an extensive educational study on the teaching of dancers. “Folk dancing is one of the ways to achieve harmony between schoolchildren’s body and soul, to help them – to live in accordance with the internal needs of their personality and biological rhythm. Learning dances helps to build posture and listen to oneself and those around you, it awakens and releases the soul and the whole body’s desires for rhythm and beauty. It is the mood of the soul that inspires a person’s mental and physical activity.” (Timšāns, Sigizmunds. Song Celebrations – those we remember and those we anticipate. The Latvian Herald. June 20, 1998)
A Chief choreographer at the 6th-12th Dance Celebrations, Honorary Chief choreographer at the 13th-15th Dance Celebrations, a Chief choreographer at the 3th-7th Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebrations, Honorary Chief choreographer at the 8th Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebration, a Chief choreographer at the Gaudeamus Baltic Student Song and Dance Festival (1981), a Chief choreographer at regional dance festivals in Aizkraukle, Kuldīga, Ventspils and Dobele, Chief choreographer for Republic agricultural-institute dance groups (1981–1994) and Aizkraukle District school dance groups (1971–1997).
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for Cultural Contribution (1986), Bearer, Order of the Three Stars (1998).
