Varga Éva: Sors és sanzon. Rácz Vali emlékeiből (Kaposvár, 2012)

In 1994 the Rácz Collection dedicated to the co. Somogy Museum comprised over half a thousand pieces. The majority of historic sources encompass Vali Rácz’s career, significant stations of her life. Beside the documents the collection features objects and antiquities of fine workmanship recalling the late star’s luxurious environment (tapestries, chi- naware, silverware, statues), the well-chosen stage costumes, photos, news articles, records immortalising Vali and a number of famous contemporary Hungarian artists, the scores containing the once sung repertoire, the fans’ letters etc.

Vali Rácz’s life story is not interesting only because she was a star. Her life from 1911 till 1997 spans over nearly a century. She lived in the heart of the country, she witnessed a number of crucial historic events. History is present in the background of her artist’s career. She was said to be unfaithful to her country because she drifted far away in the historical storm of 1956. First to New York, USA, then London, U.K., finally to Munich, West Germany. But Vali Rácz’s homecoming in 1989 was not the first one, and she never came with empty hands. In 1994, she donated the objects closest to her heart - ones of special value - to the co. Somogy Museum. According to her will, she was buried in Gölle on 7 March 1997.

In the mid 1940ies she was accused of playing in the arrow-cross era. That she hid and fed Jewish families in her home, was forgotten. She was a “guest” of the feared Hotel Majestic on Svábhegy for ten days. She survived. And in 1992, for saving Jews back then, she was decorated with the Yad Vashem award, one given after careful deliberation, based on irrefutable evidence to “The Righteous”.

Rátéthímzés a kései reneszánsz korából. (A Rácz-gyűjtemény anyagából)