Exhibition in the Russian House of Culture and Science in Berlin «The Roerich Pact. 75 years for Protection of Culture and Peace-Building».
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This year humanity celebrates 75th anniversary of the Roerich Pact — the first international treaty for unconditional protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historical monuments and their personnel in war time as well as in time of peace. This historical document based on principles of humanism and creativity became the basis for the international legal system for protection of cultural values.
The author of the treaty was Nicholas Roerich, the great Russian artist, outstanding scientist, cultural and public promoter. At the beginning of 1930-s of the 20th century, on the eve of the Second World War he called on the world community for preservation and development of Culture. He was the initiator and leader of the international movement for unity of the Mankind for safeguarding of Culture. Nicholas Roerich was convinced that only through Culture peace can come to the planet. Fighting for peace, for Culture “is the most powerful eradication of war”. «Where there is a Culture, there is a Peace» - the artist said. N. Roerich dedicated his entire life to service of Culture. His great humanistic idea for protection of Culture found its implementation in the Pact which was signed by many countries of the world.
Opening of the photo-exhibition «The Roerich Pact. 75 years for Protection of Culture and Peace-Building» was held on June 16, 2010 at 6p.m. in the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin.
The exhibition organized by the International Centre of the Roerichs under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation and the State Duma Committee on Culture of the Russian Federation.
The participants of the event watched the film «Time to gather stones...» dedicated to the history of the Roerich Pact and preservation of cultural values nowadays. Numerous regional conflicts in various parts of our planet threaten to destruct the unique cultural values. In a time of peace human ignorance and indifference also leads to destruction of the cultural values which have been saved up within centuries. That is why the ideas proclaimed by the Roerich Pact are extremely actual today.
The ceremony was opened with performance of Sergey Markin, the Cologne High School of Music student, and Andrey Rozendent, young virtuoso violinist, grant-aided student of the Charitable Foundation named after Helena Roerich, winner of international festivals and competitions. In their rendering musical composition “Passionato” by Josef Suk sounded.
Mr M. Vladimir, Director of the Russian House of Science and Culture, turned to the guests with a welcoming speech. He emphasised that the Roerich Pact anniversary was celebrated in the most reputable organizations including headquarters of the UN and it's affiliate in Vienna. He also said that it was a honor for the Russian House in Berlin to host the exhibition and present it to residents and visitors of Berlin.
Ms H. Drapeko, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture of Russia, said in her speech that the Banner of Peace is the Banner of Culture intended for protection of our cultural heritage. It is meant to educate people to be responsible for preservation of cultural values. The world community could require the governments to perform the Hague Convention and the Roerich Pact. Ms H. Drapeko handed Prof. A. Postnikov, President of the International Centre of the Roerichs, the greeting of the State Duma Committee on Culture of the Russian Federation.
Prof. A. Postnikov thanked Mr S. Mironov, Chairman of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Mr S. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr A. Avdeev, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, and Ms H. Drapeko for their greetings sent on the occasion of the exhibition opening. He noted that Nicholas Roerich's great humanistic idea on protection of cultural heritage was implemented in the International Treaty. His idea of Beauty as a basis of Culture could lead the world to the Harmony.
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Ms H. Drapeko was granted the right to cut the scarlet ribbon, and to invite visitors in the exhibition hall.
For Russia and Germany which were affected during the Second World War more than any other countries the exhibition «The Roerich Pact. 75 years for Protection of Culture and Peace-Building» is especially significant. It reminds about the tragedy of the loss of priceless monuments and call us to unite our efforts for protection and preservation of Culture - the most important value for the Mankind.
The exhibition "The Roerich Pact. 75 years of Protection of Culture and Peace-Building" represents the unique photo materials about creation and signing of the Roerich Pact from archive of the International Centre of the Roerichs, reproductions of paintings by Nicholas and Svyatoslav Roerichs, and also photos of those monuments of culture, which were destroyed during the Second World war and regional conflicts of last years.
The exhibition opening was attended by Mr Klaus von Heimendahl and Mr Angus Fowler, representatives of Europa Nostra international organization for protection of cultural heritage, Mr Volfgang Loock, representative of Federal Ministry of Foregn Affairs, Secretary Coordinator of German-Russian inter-public cooperation, Mr Nikolay Baltashi, Embassy of Ukraine in Germany, Dr Gabriela Horn, Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg, Ms Marga Koutsarova, Chairman National Roerich Society – Bulgarian Branch of the ICR.
At the opening of the exhibition the catalogue prepared by the International Centre of the Roerichs with materials on the significance, urgency and uniqueness of Roerich ideas was presented to the participants of the ceremony.
The exhibition "The Roerich Pact. 75 years of Protection of Culture and Peacemaking" is open since 16 June till 13 July, 2010 in Russian House of Culture and Science in Berlin, Fridrichstrasse 176-179.