World Festival of Youth and Students

Admin History/Bio: The World Festival of Youth and Students is a left-wing/socialist youth festival that has been held every two years since 1947. The festival in Vienna was the seventh of its kind since the war and attracted 18,000 young people from 112 countries. It was held over the period of two weeks in July 1959. The festival was organized by the National Federation of Labour Youth with delegations organized by the Young Communist League of Canada. Canada sent 150 delegates to the festival.; Sylvia probably travelled there to photograph the festival as it advocated and supported ideas about socialism, equality and world peace, all of which she shared. Her friend, Paul Robeson, who she was visiting in England in the months prior to the festival also performed and spoke at the event.

Scope and Content: File consists of images of the World Festival of Youth and Students in Vienna, Austria. Images include views of Vienna, the Prater festival grounds and various individuals from the opening parade, as well as an image of Ella Fitzgerald performing.

Name Access: World Festival of Youth and Students for Peace and Friendship (7th : 1959 : Vienna, Austria)