Cirrus@Austlit

Valdemārs Mežaks experienced a lonely childhood in Latvia. Following his parents' marital separation, Mežaks lived with his maternal grandmother and godmother. His education began at Skrīveri Primary School where he showed an interest in both history and languages. His secondary schooling was interrupted in 1944 when he was conscripted into the German army.

After World War II, Mežaks emigrated to Australia and settled in Adelaide, where he lived the rest of his life. He worked for the postal service for 36 years and was a member of several professional organisations. His interest in writing found expression from 1952 when he became a member of the Latvian Press Club and began publishing news articles, short stories and reviews of community events. Much of this work appeared in Austrālijas latvietis.

His major book-length works date from 1992, when his historical novel Vajāti un Dzīti was published in Canada. This was followed by two volumes of autobiography: Liesie gadi (1996) and Pirmā paaudze (2001), both of which were published in Adelaide.