Nicholas Roerich

 

	N. Roerich. Diary Pages. ICR publication, 2002

N. Roerich went on with his International cultural activities. In his philosophic and artistic essays, he created an absolutely new concept of culture based on the ideas of the Living Ethics. Culture, in N. Roerich’s opinion, is closely related to the problems of cosmic evolution of mankind and is “a greatest foundation” for this process.

N. Roerich included in the broad notion of Culture a synthesis of the best achievements of human spirit in the sphere of religious experience, science, art, education. It was Nicholas Roerich who for the first time formulated the principle difference of Culture from civilization. While Culture relates to the spiritual world of man in his creative self-expression, civilization is just external arrangement of human life in all its material, civil aspects. Identification of civilization and Culture, Nicholas Roerich argued, leads to confusion between these two notions, to underestimation of the spiritual factor in the development of humanity. “Wealth in itself does not generate Culture. But broadened and subtler thinking and the sense of Beauty produce that subtlety, that nobility of spirit which are distinctive for a cultured person. It is this kind of person that can build the future of light for its country”[4, p. 49]. Proceeding from this, the mankind must not only develop Culture, but is also obliged to protect it.

In the 1930-s, sensing the threat of a forthcoming war, N. Roerich developed a project of a special Pact for protection of cultural values in the period of warfare and civil strife. Roerich’s Pact had a great educational significance. “A pact for protection of cultural treasures is not only needed as an official body, but as an educational law that, from the very first school days, will educate the young generation with noble ideas of preservation of the whole mankind’s true values”[5, p. 82]. This cultural initiative was supported in the widest circles of the world public. The artist’s idea was welcome by R. Rolland, B. Show, R. Tagor, A. Einstein. The Pact was signed in the White House in Washington, on April 15, 1935. Originally, the document was ratified by 21 countries of the American continent. Afterwards, in 1954, Roerich’s Pact was laid in the basis for the Hague “International Convention for Protection of Cultural Values in the Event of Armed Conflict”, and suggested by N. Roerich special flag, the Banner of Peace, declaring all treasures of culture and art inviolable objects, until today streams above many cultural and educational institutions all over the world.

N. Roerich. About the Great Patriotic War. ICR publication, 1994

From the very first days of the second world war, Nicholas Roerich used all possibilities to help his Motherland, even being far from it. Together with his younger son S. Roerich, he arranged exhibitions and sales of paintings, and he transferred all the proceeds to the Red Army fund. Many articles were published in newspapers, radio interviews were given to support the Soviet people. There was no single note of despondence or bewilderment. Even in the most critical days of war, there was only confidence in the Russian people’s victory: “We argued with many uncertain, doubting persons. False prophets predicted all kinds of calamities, but we always said: “Moscow will withstand!”, “Leningrad will withstand!”, “Stalingrad will withstand!”. And here we are, they did withstand! To the whole world’s surprise, unconquerable Russian warrior-host has grown!”[6, p. 30], Nicholas Roerich wrote in the article “Glory” in 1943.

In those formidable for Russia years, the painter turned again to the subject of native land in his creative work. In that period, he created a whole series of paintings – “Prince Igor”, “Alexander Nevsky”, “Guerilla Fighters”, “Victory”, in which, using the images of the Russian history, he predicted the Russian people’s victory over fascism.

	N. Roerich. Kullu. 1940s

Nicholas Roerich’s essays and letters in that period as never before called to human unity and friendship. The most important things, Nicholas Roerich asserted, are contained in ourselves, in the power of our spirit, in our internal culture, the basis for which is kind-heartedness, striving for knowledge, and respect for Beauty.

These calls were never abstract. On these principles, not only Nicholas Roerich’s art and literary work were based, but his whole life too. The contemporaries’ recollections, besides admiration at the creative genius versatility, convey to us an image of a purposeful man, striking with his extraordinary spiritual power, internal harmony, and extreme tolerance for other people’s views.

The Russian painter world recognition is confirmed by the fact that more than a hundred institutes, academies, scientific corporations, cultural institutions in the whole world have chosen him their honorary and full member. The artist was treated with great respect in India itself as well, famous Indian philosophers, scientists, writers, public figures were personally acquainted with Nicholas Roerich. Many common Indians honored him as a great wizard.

Recognition of N. Roerich’s achievements in his public, scientific, and artistic activities in no way affected his attitude towards his Motherland. He always remained a patriot and a Russian citizen only holding one passport – Russian. N. Roerich never gave up the thought of coming back to his country. Right after the end of the war, the artist applied for a visa to enter the Soviet Union. But his intentions were not to be realized – in the full swing of preparations, on December 13, 1947, he passed away, without knowing that he was denied the visa…

In place of the funeral fire, facing magnificent snowy peaks, a big rectangular stone was installed on which the following inscription was carved: “Here, on December 15, 1947, the body of Maharishi Nicholas Roerich – a great Russian friend of India – was committed to fire. Let there be peace”.

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