Vija Vetra Still Dancing at 102
By J. Taylor Basker
VIJA VETRA RECEIVING a Certificate of Congratulations from Mayor Adams, presented by NYC Councilman Erik Bottcher, Westbeth, February 6, 2023. Photo by J. Taylor Basker.
Vija Vetra, who celebrated her 102nd birthday on Feb. 6, is still dancing and teaching. The Westbeth Artists Community resident was born in Latvia and ran away from home at 16. She lived with her aunt in Vienna where she studied classical ballet and modern dance at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts. After WW ll she escaped the Soviets and lived in refugee camps in Germany. Later, as a refugee in Australia, Vetra became known for Indian Dance, had her own TV series, and performed around the world. She was received by Indian Prime Ministers Nehru and Gandhi and danced as a soloist for Queen Elizabeth ll.
After a tour in 1970 Vetra stayed in the U.S. to perform and teach. Beginning in 1990, she visited her native country annually, performing and teaching master classes. She last performed in Latvia in 2022 at age 99. She was likely the oldest performing dancer in the world.
On her 100th birthday, City Councilman Eric Bottcher presented Vetra with a certificate from Mayor Adams. This was also a ceremony at the U.N. where the Latvian delegation presented her with a letter from the president of Latvia.
As a young woman, Vetra survived WW ll, the Soviets, refugee camps, and was nearly crushed to death on the last refugee train out of Austria. She escaped poverty and imprisonment to flower into a dancer, choreographer, teacher and inspiration.
Vetra teaches Indian Dance at the Westbeth Senior Center on Tuesdays.
