Katalin Rath

We are at our strongest when we are young, and, the visions we follow are pure. But, with the passing of years and the running of minutes, our dreams tend to slide and give way to the demands and realities of everyday life!

But life, as Katalin Rath knows, can include all possible spectrums. And, she never let go of her childhood fantasies. And, she is living them now!

Growing up in Budapest, art was always part of her life, and, living just two blocks away from the city's museum of modern art, Katalin spent much of her free time in the company of truly great works. And, so it was that she took art to her heart and learned it and studied it and practiced it as much as she could. And then, with only 14, she was awarded first prize in the then famous Budapest Pavement Art Competition. Art was her passion, but, life, too, had to be won!

After finishing medical school, Katalin moved to Vienna, and, it was there that she not only specialized in dental surgery, but founded a family as well. And, family life and work takes time. And, so it was that Katalin's art became tied up and moored away from the stream. But, still waters run deep!

And, deep below the surface the future was forming, and pieces were getting ready to appear, and, when Katalin floated her art back into view, a brand new acrylic style was ready and waiting!

And, it's waiting no more. Katalin is now regularly exhibiting her colorful large canvas dreams. And the interest is quietly and steadily growing; not only in Austria and Hungary, but elsewhere as well, and, all because she never let go of her dreams!

Dreams that come true and change with the light!  Katalin Rath

Audio Following

Gräfin Marion Dönhof - The Power of Attraction -

The Power of Attraction - Gräfin Marion Dönhof

There are people with very strong powers of attraction. They have very strong characters, they always stick to their plans, and they never give-up. Marion Gräfin Dönhof was just such a lady.

In 1945, Marion Gräfin Dönhof said goodbye to her family home, Schloss Friedrichstein in Prussia.  The 2^nd World War was nearing its end. The Russians were coming. Marion Gräfin Dönhof had to flee. Staying in Friedrichstein would have meant the end of her freedom and possibly even prison in Russia. And, worst of all, the winter was coming as well. And so, early one morning, Marion Gräfin Dönhof saddled her faithful horse Alarich and galloped into freedom. Hamburg was where she was going.

Once in Hamburg, Marion Gräfin Dönhof went to „Die Zeit“ where she got a job as journalist. Marion Gräfin Dönhof was a very good writer and specialised in political reporting. Marion Gräfin Dönhof became a very popular writer. And, journalism is all about people.

Marion Gräfin Dönhof was a people’s person. She understood human nature. Everyone she met was important.

Everyone loved her. She felt just as much at home in the company of kings and presidents as she did with the most humble of farmers. Her background and family certainly helped. Her father was the Kaiser’s best friend. and, because of her position in life, Marion Gräfin Dönhof had had the finest of educations. She was also the first ever woman to have studied at Basle university in Switzerland.

In the course of her life, Marion Gräfin Dönhof met lots of interesting people and wrote many interesting books. But, it was her escape on her faithful horse Alarich for which she's remembered the most. Marion Gräfin Dönhof loved horses. She was a brilliant horsewoman. But, after her escape on Alarich, Marion Gräfin Dönhof never rode again.  An unexpected twist to the end of this very short story.

Marion Gräfin Dönhof, a lady of steel.  She was born in December 1909 and died in March 2002.