Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Roerich Pact in Bulgaria
On April 15, 2010 the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Roerich Pact - the first International Treaty on protection for historic monuments, museums, scientific, artistic, educational and cultural institutions — was held in Bulgaria.
The ceremony took place in the National Gallery of Foreign Art in Sofia, in the Hall of permanent exposition of paintings by N. Roerich and S. Roerich which also celebrates its 5th anniversary. Organizers of the celebration: National Gallery of Foreign Art, International Foundation of St. Kirill and Mephody, National Roerich Society — Bulgarian Branch of the ICR, the Panch Vladigerov National Academy of Music.
In her greeting address to the participants of the celebration Irina Mutafchieva, Director of the National Gallery of Foreign Art, emphasised that paintings by N. Roerich represent the most valuable part of the Gallery collection. For five years the paintings are being on display in a separate Hall named „Roerich“. The Hall has its own unique atmosphere and provides all opportunities for detaled study of N. Roerich creative heritage.
Prof. Alexandr Fedotov, Director of the Center for Eastern Languages and Cultures of Sofia University «St. Kliment Ohridski» and Ms. Marga Koutsarova, President of the Bulgarian National Roerich Society told in their speeches about N. Roerich public activity and the importance of the Pact.
A concert of teachers and students of the Panch Vladigerov National Academy of Music was dedicated to N. Roerich, the initiator and author of the Pact, outstanding artist and scientist. Famous arias from operas by P. Tchaikovsky, M. Glinka, N. Rimsky-Korsakov, L. Delibes, A. Borodin, S. Rachmaninov were sang under the Banner of Peace.