Olgert Kroders

Olgert Kroders was born on August 9, 1921, in Riga, Latvia. His father, writer Robert Kroders, was a nobleman who belonged to Latvian gentry. His mother, Gerta Kroders, was a Latvian drama actress known under stage name Gerta Wulf. Olgert Kroders attended Riga State University, majoring in history. He was also active in student drama club. In 1937, his grandfather, Janis Kroders, was executed in Moscow under the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. There, Kroders' mother and father died in exile due to poor nutrition and harsh environment. Olgert Kroders served his sentence for 15 years. In 1956, 'Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin and initiated "The Thaw" bringing some liberalization in cultural life of the USSR. After that, Olgert Kroders was allowed to return from his exile to Latvia and eventually became an actor and director. Kroders began his professional career as assistant director for Edward Smilgis at Janis Rajnis Drama Theatre in Riga.