28.07.2021

Unveiling of the monuments to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani in Russia 

28th July 2021 a landmark event took place at the territory of the largest Ethnographic Park-Museum of Russia, Cultural-Education Center “Ethnomir” in the Kaluga Region — unveiling of the monuments to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich. 

Here on the territory of 140 hectares the beauty and cultures diversity of the Russian nations and the whole world are presented.

The Indian Palace — Cultural center of India shines out by its beauty and elegancy among the architectural objects. The monuments have been placed beside the Palace. The author of the Roerichs sculptural composition is Alexey Leonov — a member of the Ukrainian Artists Union and International Arts Fund (Moscow).

The initiator of installing memorial monuments to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani, the first ones dedicated to that great fruitful family is International Public Charity Fund “Dialogue of Cultures - United World”. The President of the Fund is Mr. Bayramov, the founder of the “Ethnomir” project. Since 2006 the Fund has been realizing projects providing preserving and popularization of cultural variety of the world and creating stable communication among all nations of the Earth.

Representatives of federal and regional authorities, Russian and Indian non-governmental organizations, members of All Russian Forum of International Students “We became friends in Russia”, representatives of the Association of Foreign Students in Russia, the management and guests of the ethnographic Park-Museum took part in the solemn ceremony of unveiling of the monuments.

Konstantin Kosachev, Vice-chairman of Federal Council of Russian Federation in his welcome speech said that friendship between nations of Russia and India, going back centuries, stood up against the test of time. He highlighted importance of unveiling of the monuments to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani, their contribution to strengthening of Russian — Indian friendship.

Pavel Shevtsov, acting Head of Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) and Pavel Suslov, Minister of Culture of the Kaluga Region congratulated the guests and the organizers of the event with the important moment. 

There were some video-greetings to the address of the organizers and guests of the ceremony:

from Nikolay Kudashev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of India;

from Pooyam Thirunal Gouri Parvathi Bayi, Princess of Travancore royal family;

from Larisa Surgina, Russian Curator of International Roerich Memorial Trust (on the direction of International Centre of the Roerichs, Moscow). 

N. Kudashev in his welcome speech noted: “Stupendous heritage given to us by the Roerichs created conditions for Russian-Indian interaction not only in the field of culture but established a philosophical foundation of our political partnership. <…> Today event is aneloquent evidence that the Roerichs name is maintained on Russian land in nation’s virtue. Together with our Indian colleagues we work on saving treasured cultural heritage of the outstanding Russians: the Roerichs Museum Estate in Naggar, Tataguni Estate where the souls of Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani still remain.”

Larisa Surgina, welcoming the participants of the ceremony from the sacred Roerichs Estate in Himalayan Kullu Valley said: “Comprehensive creative work and spiritual heritage of the Roerichs family has become national pride in both Russia and India. For the purpose of perpetuating the memory of the Roerichs the common cultural project of installing monuments to the Roerichs family in Russia and India started in 2019, anniversary year for the Roerichs family. The participants of the project are International Centre of the Roerichs in Moscow, International Public Charity Fund “Dialogue of Cultures - United World” headed by its President Mr. Bayramov, and International Roerich Memorial Trust in Naggar. ⁠The author of the monuments and generous grantor is famous sculptor Alexey Leonov, who is finely succeed in conveying an outer image and similarity of appearance but also inner resource and inner condition of all members of the Roerich family. <…> And I do hope that in nearest time monuments to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani will be installed here, in Memorial Estate of the Roerichs in Kullu Valley.”

To the address of the President of International Public Charity Fund “Dialogue of Cultures - United World” there were sent welcome letters from Anatoly Artamonov, representative of executive authorities of the Kaluga Region; Olga Yarilova, vise-minister of culture of Russian Federation; Mr. Shakti Singh Chandel, Life Trustee of International Roerich Memorial Trust in India; Russia-India Society; International Centre of the Roerichs and other organizations. 

International Centre of the Roerichs in its welcome letter congratulated the participants “with unveiling monuments to the celebrity couple: the great artist and public figure Svetoslav Roerich and the first Indian movie star, companion and muse of the artist Devika Rani.” It is mentioned in the letter: “Their long and happy marriage became a strong link between two cultures — Indian and Russian. <…> It is glad that now on the days of big disturbances: economic and spiritual, you, dear Ruslan Fataliyevich, deemed it necessary to refer to these shining people who constantly believed in constructive strength of culture and thought that without keeping and developing it further humanity evolution would be impossible.”

“Esteemed Mr Bayaramov, - S.S.Chandel wrote in his letter, - I feel exalted to know about your concern and active involvement in the activities of the Roerichs legacy. India was fortunate to have the Roerichs as part of us. They loved India’s soul, and in the due course became a strong link in the promotion of Indo-Russian friendship. Their works in the service towards humanity will remain written in golden letters in the annals and cultural space of our planet. I am glad to learn that you are getting the monuments of Dr Svetoslav Roerich and Mdm Devika Rani installed at the  Ethnographic Cultural-Education Park-Museum “ETHNOMIR” in Russia. I deeply appreciate your initiative in this regard and extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to you.”

Ruslan Bayramov, the President of International Public Charity Fund “Dialogue of Cultures - United World” in his response speech welcoming the guests and expressing appreciation to the participants of the ceremony noted that “Russia and India are united by many things: kind world picture, faith in joyfulness, happiness, fairness and in enduring value of human life both in this world and in eternity. <…> We all have a chance to make the world a better place drawing on models of great people of Russia, India and the whole humanity.”

Unveiling of the monuments to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich in “Ethnomir” became a perfect celebration of Russian — Indian friendship with beautiful Indian music, Indian dances performed by Russian girls in Indian dresses and merry launching colored balloons by all guests of the event. 

T. M. Merges, V.N. Tkachev