#46 THE LITHUANIAN COMMUNITY | Toronto's Many Faces

The Lithuanian Community

Park Lithuanian at Keele Street and Glenlake Avenue signifies the presence and accomplishments of Toronto’s 10,000 Lithuanians. Close by is a seniors’ residence and the impressive Lithuanian community centre with a credit union and five halls. The Lithuanian Church of the Resurrection contains one of best collections of Lithuanian art in Canada, and in Mississauga, the Lithuanian Martyrs’ Parish and the adjoining “Anapilis” Cultural Centre contain one of the largest halls in all Mississauga, as well as the Lithuanian Museum Archives of Canada. All the Lithuanian centres in the Greater Toronto area were built through the fundraising efforts of the community.

The first recorded Lithuanians in Canada were soldiers serving in the British Army in the early 19th century. The first wave of immigration occurred between 1900 and 1930. It was made up initially of people fleeing the mandatory 25-year service in the czar’s army, and later of those looking to earn money to buy land back in Lithuania. Most of the early settlers found work on farms, the railways, in coal mines, and in the factories of Toronto and Montreal. Lithuanians—many of whom had come via England, Scotland, and the United States—began settling in the city around 1900.

The first Toronto Lithuanian organization was St. Joseph’s Society, formed in 1907. It served as a mutual benefit relief organization providing insurance for its members. Another early organization was the St. John the Baptist Relief Society, from which grew the first Toronto Lithuanian parish. In 1928, the parish purchased a small Presbyterian church at Dundas Street and Gorevale Avenue. The basement hall was converted into a language school, and the church hall became a centre for social events and a meeting place for the choir, folk dance group, Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides. A small library was established at the parish and, in 1948, the sports club (VYTIS) was formed, attracting many young Lithuanian Canadians. In the interwar period there were also secular Lithuanian organizations, such as the Sons and Daughters of Lithuanians and the S.L.A. (Susivienijimas Lietuviu Amerikoje), mutual benefit societies which also organized many cultural events.

The largest group of Lithuanians arrived in Canada after the Second World War, and consisted of political refugees who refused to return to Lithuania after Soviet occupation ended the brief freedom of the Lithuanian Republic (1918–1940). Canada accepted Lithuanian workers under labour contracts in mining, lumber, agriculture, and domestic services. Of the 20,000 Lithuanians who came to Canada at this time, approximately 5,000 settled in Toronto.

In 1952 the Lithuanian Canadian Community was founded. It is still the main umbrella organization of all Lithuanians in Canada, with branches in all major cities including Toronto. In 1949 the weekly Lithuanian newspaper, Teviskes Ziburiai, was established in Toronto and is still going strong (although its offices are now in Mississauga), with subscribers all over the world.

In 1953, the Resurrection Parish officially opened and held services in a Parkdale theatre. The parish bought 25 acres of land on Georgian Bay at New Wasaga for a youth camp and formed the Ausra Sports Club. Other organizations located at the Resurrection Parish included the Lithuanian Catholic Women’s Association, a library and bookshop, youth organizations, the pensioners’ club, the Toronto Lithuanian Philatelistic Club, and the parish co-operative credit union.

Every year, Lithuanian culture is displayed at colourful cultural celebrations such as the World Fall Dance Festival which takes place in various cities and brings together 2,000 Lithuanian dancers from across Canada and the United States.

Places to Go

Lithuanian Community House, (Tel. 416-532-3311, 1573 Bloor St. W), is a community centre with five halls for accommodating social and cultural events. The centre is decorated with chandeliers, the regional flags of Lithuania, and plaques.

The Lithuanian Museum Archives of Canada, (Tel. 905-566-8755, 2185 Stavebank Rd., Mississauga). Founded by the Lithuanian Canadian community, documents the history of Lithuanian Canadians and displays Lithuanian textiles, rare books, coins, stamps, medals, and curios.

Religious Centres, Schools and Other Institutions

ANAPILIS HALL, (Tel. 905-277-1270, 2185 Stavebank Rd., Mississauga). “Anapilis” (St. John’s Hall) Community Centre with three halls.
ST. JOHN’S LITHUANIAN CEMETERY, (2185 Stavebank Rd., Mississauga). The cemetery contains a large number of headstones of artistic merit in a pleasant park-like setting.
LITHUANIAN CHURCH OF RESURRECTION, (Tel. 416-533-0621, 1 Resurrection Rd). The church contains one of the best collections of Lithuanian art in Canada. The parish hall is also located at 1 Resurrection Rd. In 1987, Lithuanians celebrated 600 years of Christianity.
LITHUANIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, (Tel. 416-766-1424, 1691 Bloor St. W).
LITHUANIAN MARTYRS CHURCH, (Tel. 905-277-1270, 494 Isabella Ave., Mississauga).
VILNIUS MANOR, (Tel. 416-762-1777, is at 1700 Bloor St. W). For Lithuanian Senior Citizens.

The community’s financial institutions are:

LITHUANIAN RESURRECTION CREDIT UNION, (Tel. 416-532-3400, 3 Resurrection Rd), which has accumulated a balance of $62 million since being founded in 1963.
PARAMA LITHUANIAN CREDIT UNION, (Tel. 416-532-1149, 1573 Bloor St. W., and Tel. 416-207-9239, 2975 Bloor St. W), which has accumulated $107 million since 1952 to become the largest Lithuanian credit union in Canada.

Holidays and Celebrations

INDEPENDENCE DAY is held on February 16 in celebration of the day in 1918 that Lithuania became an independent democratic nation. The nation lost its independence in 1940 when it was occupied by the USSR. After a struggle by dissidents which lasted many decades and captured the world’s headlines in 1989–1990, Lithuania again became an independent country in 1991. An official ceremony including a cultural program is held on the weekend nearest to the date.
ST. CASIMIR’S FEAST on March 4 honours Lithuania’s patron saint. A special church service is held on the nearest Sunday. A fundraising bazaar organized by the Lithuanian Boy Scouts and Girl Guides is usually held on this day.
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE. On June 14, the thousands of Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians who were deported to Siberia by occupying Soviet forces in 1941 through 1953 are remembered by the community. A commemorative program is organized by the Baltic Federation of Canada.
LITHUANIANS IN CANADA DAY is celebrated in September or October. Initiated in 1956, the day is commemorated with a convention, held in a different city each year, and a program featuring social functions, a religious service, and cultural performances.
ARMED FORCES DAY, November 23, commemorates the day in 1918 that the armed forces were organized in Vilnius to protect the reborn nation of Lithuania. On this day, the community remembers those who died in the struggle for freedom.

See Holidays and Celebrations in Glossary.

Media

TEVISKES ZIBURIAI (THE LIGHTS OF THE HOMELAND), (Tel. 905-275-4672, www.tzib.com, 2185 Stavebank Rd., Mississauga). A weekly newspaper published since 1949. Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Pranas Gaida.

Organizations

LITHUANIAN CANADIAN COMMUNITY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE, (Tel. 416-533-3292, www.klb.org, 1 Resurrection Rd). A national umbrella organization with nearly 20 local branches located throughout Canada. All Lithuanian Canadians are considered members of the Lithuanian Canadian Community, founded in 1952. The National Executive also maintains links with the World Lithuanian Community. President: Ruta Zilinskas.
LITHUANIAN COMMUNITY HOUSE, (Tel. 416-532-3311, 1573 Bloor St. W). Home to the head offices of many Lithuanian
Canadian organizations.

At the same address:

ATZALYNAS CULTURAL ARTS & FOLK DANCE GROUP INC. President: Walter Dauginis.
VOLUNTEERS OF LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE ASSOCIATION.
LITHUANIAN CANADIAN FOUNDATION.
LITHUANIAN NATIONAL FUND IN CANADA.

Other popular groups within the community are the Gintaras Folk Dance Ensemble; ARAS men’s choir; and Volunge (mixed) choir.

Consulates, Trade Commissions and Tourist Bureaus

CONSULATE GENERAL OF LITHUANIA, (Tel. 416-538-2992, 1573 Bloor St. W.) Honorary Consul General: Mr. Paul Kuras.

Prominent Torontonians

Juozas Bakis, sculptor; John Govidas, musician; Algis Pacevicius, Prominent Lawyer: Al Pace Law Firm; V. Rudinskos, Lawyer; Erin Link, Senior member of OPS; Leo Rautins, first Canadian to play in the National Basketball Association; Snaige Sileika, artist; Violeta Nesukaitis, former table tennis champion of Canada; Antanas Sileika, writer; Shaige Sileika, artist; Arthauas Sileika, novelist; Paul Kravecas, artist.