Vytautas Beliajus

Vytautas Finadar Beliajus (often called "Vyts", born February 26, 1908 in Pakumprys, Lithuania, died September 1994) is considered the father of international folk dancing in the United States. He specialized in Lithuanian 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.

External links

* [http://www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/teachers/beliajus_v.htm Vyts Beliajus biography]
* [http://www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/teachers/vyts_english.htm Vyts and the English language]

Persondata
NAME=Beliajus, Vytautas Finadar
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Beliajus, Vyts
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Folk dance teacher, father of international folk dancing
DATE OF BIRTH=February 26, 1908
PLACE OF BIRTH=Pakumprys, Lithuania
DATE OF DEATH=September, 1994
PLACE OF DEATH=