Conductor Edgars Račevskis' personal archive arrives at museum – over 3,000 items
The personal archive of Dziesmu svētki conductor, pedagogue, and composer Edgars Račevskis has been donated to the National Library of Latvia's Museum of Literature and Music. The collection, consisting of more than 3,000 documents, photographs, diaries, and letters, was handed over by the maestro's daughter Ilze Ozoliņa.
Latvia's cultural heritage has been enriched with a significant collection – the personal archive of renowned conductor Edgars Račevskis has found its home at the National Museum of Literature and Music. The archive comprises over 3,000 items, including documents, photographs, diaries, and letters that span his entire life and creative career.
Edgars Račevskis (1936–2022) was a chief conductor of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, a pedagogue, and a composer. He would have celebrated his 90th birthday on July 11. His life story is closely tied to Latvian choral music and the tradition of the Song Festival.
The collection was donated by the maestro's daughter Ilze Ozoliņa, who wished to preserve and make her father's legacy accessible to the public. Museum researcher and former Latvian Radio Choir singer Ieva Ezeriete, known for her bright soprano, described the collection as a true museum dream in an interview with Latvian Radio 3 "Klasika." She noted that the archive allows Račevskis to be rediscovered – not only as a musician, but also as a person and a patriot.
The personal archive provides a unique insight not only into Račevskis' professional activities but also into his private life and public engagement. The museum plans to gradually process and digitize the collection to make it available to researchers and the public.
