Latgalian seasonal workers: seeking income abroad (late 19th century – 1930s)
Historian Vladislavs Malahovskis describes the mass seasonal migration of Latgalians from the late 19th century to the 1930s, driven by overpopulation and land scarcity.
Overpopulation and land shortage in Latgale
After the abolition of serfdom in 1861, the rural population of Latgale grew rapidly – about 2.5 times over two generations – while the amount of land remained unchanged. An average household had 8–12 members, compared to 3–4 in the rest of Latvia. Additionally, the tradition of equally dividing land among all sons further fragmented holdings. By the third generation, many farms had so little land that families could not sustain themselves, prompting farmers to seek seasonal work – a practice known as "burlaki," a term borrowed from Russian referring to seasonal laborers.
Burlaki head to Russia
Initially, Latgalians sought seasonal work in other parts of Latvia, but by the early 20th century, the main destination became St. Petersburg, less often Riga and Moscow, where rapidly growing industries offered employment. The St. Petersburg–Warsaw railway line, built in 1860 and crossing Latgale, facilitated this migration. Over 10,000 Latgalians left each year; by 1912, a Latgalian colony of about 8,000 had formed in St. Petersburg. Agents traveled through Latgale, hiring workers at low wages for railway construction, ditch digging, and other manual labor.
Earnings were often meager – sometimes burlaki lacked money for the return trip. For instance, in 1911, about 2,000 Latgalians went to the Far East to build the Amur Railway, but only half returned in 1912; many fell ill, while others simply could not afford the journey back.
Concerns about cultural and religious erosion
Latgalian intellectuals, including Francs Kemps and Francs Trasuns, worried about the erosion of Latgalian culture and Catholic faith. Kemps wrote that the younger generation, spending months in Russia, was subject to the leveling influence of the Russian people. This manifested in weakening Catholicism, adoption of Russianisms in language, clothing, and alcohol consumption. The newspaper "Drywa" noted sarcastically that some burlaki returned with shiny teeth and red Russian shirts, and if they had money, they drank it away.
Interwar period: continuation and change
Overpopulation persisted in Latgale after Latvia's independence. In the 1920s, over 20,000 hired workers left Latgale annually, accounting for about 12% of all agricultural laborers in the country. Some 8,000 never returned, settling permanently in other parts of Latvia. Latgalian workers could be hired for about 30% less than workers from other regions, so agents from Vidzeme, Kurzeme, and Zemgale actively recruited them.
During the farming season, many Latgalian farmers abandoned their small plots, leading to neglect. This sparked parliamentary debates – in 1924, a bill to regulate working hours for agricultural laborers was discussed but not passed. The discussions revealed contrasting views: some deputies spoke of exploitation, while others argued that migrants returned with savings and experience.
Positive outcomes
Despite hardships, many Latgalian seasonal workers acquired new skills over time, becoming qualified craftsmen and industrial workers. Those who returned brought not only money but also farming expertise from wealthier regions, which could be applied on their own land.
