Vytautas Finadar Beliajus (often called "Vyts", born February 26, 1908 in Pakumprys, Lithuania, died September 20, 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.

For his contributions to dance education, he was honored in 1972 by the National Dance Association with the Heritage Award.

[edit] External links

• Vyts Beliajus biography
• 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

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