03.05.2025
«Roerich Pact. Culture. Himachal» Spring Festival of Indo-Russian Friendship in the Roerich Estate
The year 2025 marks two important anniversaries: the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Roerich Pact and the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War. These events are separated by ten years of war, military battles and the Great Victory of the multinational Soviet people and their allies over fascism. The Russian artist Nicholas Roerich had a premonition of the approaching tragedy that was looming over mankind. He was here in his Himalayan Estate in the mid-1930s. He went above and beyond to make sure that in 1935, the Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historic Monuments (Roerich Pact) was signed. This was the first ever treaty dedicated entirely to ensuring cultural property is always protected, both in war and in peace. The symbol of the Roerich Pact was the Banner of Peace – the Red Cross of Culture, as Nicholas Roerich called it.
The Treaty and the Banner's primary goal was undoubtedly to protect the cultural heritage of the planet in the conditions of the approaching war. However, their significance extends far beyond this. The artist was certain that mankind would only achieve peace on our planet through realising the role of Culture in our lives and through educating the heart by means of Culture. The artist wrote that many people are sure that war begins when the cannons rattle. No, he continued, war begins with the 'roaring of hearts'. It is clear that only Culture, a Culture that includes beauty, knowledge and love, can bring peace and light into hearts. The Banner of Peace is the symbol of these sacred concepts and it is intended to fly over cultural objects, marking their inviolability, and it must as well enter the life of every family, every person, affirming in their hearts the fundamental meaning of Culture.
The Banner of Peace has proudly hung on the upper floor of the Roerichs' Memorial House in Naggar for almost 100 years. For more than 30 years, it has proudly flown on the flagpole next to the Roerichs' House. The whole life of the International Roerich Memorial Trust goes on under the Banner of Peace, both daily and on festive occasions. And on special days of the annual Roerich Cultural Festivals, the Russian and Indian flags fly next to the Banner of Peace at the Roerich Estate.
Thus, the festive day on 3 May began with the Banner of Peace and the national flags of Russia and India being hoisted. The ceremony was attended by the guests of honour of the Festival: Dr Karanjeet Singh, Block Medical Officer, Director of Naggar Hospital, and Irina Arkhipova, Cultural Ambassador of the Women’s Union of Russia. The Banner of Peace was traditionally hoisted by Suresh Kumar and Larisa Surgina, the Indian and Russian Curators of the IRMT. A Shanti Puja prayer for peace and well-being preceded the ceremony. Due to the severe weather conditions in the morning, including a thunderstorm and heavy rain, it was decided to relocate the puja next to the House, nearby the ground floor gallery. At the end of the sacred ritual, the participants laid flower garlands on the bronze busts of Nicholas and Helena Roerichs. Pujari Shri Jaidev Acharya, the head priest of the Krishna temple, blessed them according to tradition.
The festive day was marked by the opening of exhibitions by Indian artists Varsha Karakoti and Heena and Russian artist Lola Lonli in the exhibition halls of the IRMT.
The exhibition is called "Abivyakti-Expression: "Soul in Motion, Art in Form" saw two Indian artists from Himachal Pradesh present different facets of their work. Heena is a master of roomals, the embroidered stoles for which her native Chamba Valley is renowned. These embroideries are double-sided and their subjects are legends of the divine Krishna and Radha, scenes from the history of Chamba, and the lives of gaddi shepherds. Heena delivered an inspiring speech to the guests about the roomal and embroidered pieces she has created, as well as the paintings that are also part of her work. Varsha Karakoti is a watercolourist. The exhibition showcased her works on her favourite natural landscape of Himachal, and its historical architecture, including ancient buildings, temples and shrines. Visitors to the exhibition were captivated by the pure colours, soft tones, sense of depth and lightness in her watercolours.
The exhibition of Russian artist Lola Lonli (Moscow) is entitled "Himachal: Crossroads of Culture". This title reflects the idea of a synthesis of Himalayan and Slavic cultures, which is very close to the artist's heart. In her latest series of paintings, Lola Lonli presents characters from the opera “The Snow Maiden”, by Russian composer N.Rimsky-Korsakov. These characters are depicted as native to the Himalayan valleys of Kullu, Kinnaur and Spiti. The paintings are set against a backdrop that incorporates elements of the local landscape, architecture and sacred symbols, creating a visually appealing and immersive experience. The author pays tribute to the centuries-old culture of the Himalayan peoples, who have carefully preserved their traditions and customs for thousands of years.
Ms Torul Raveesh, District Commissioner of Kullu and Director of IRMT, expressed her appreciation for both exhibitions. Unfortunately, Ms Torul was unable to attend the Festival due to her busy schedule, however, she later had the opportunity to visit the Roerich Trust, where she met the participants and viewed the exhibitions that had opened.
Two more exhibitions awaited the festival guests at the ground of IRMT’s Green Theatre. Elena Yakovleva, a Russian artist and member of the International Centre of the Roerich’s volunteer group (Moscow), presented her paintings dedicated to the colourful nature of the Kullu Valley and its inhabitants. Nearby, the local artists and craftsmen from the neighbouring villages offered the audience to admire brightly coloured toys, napkins, souvenirs created by local needlewomen according to ancient traditions and new technologies.
The festive programme commenced with a musical song-prayer to Goddess Sarasvati – Sarasvati Vandana – followed by the lighting of a traditional lamp and a welcoming ceremony. This event took place on the open stage of the IRMT's Green Theatre. The Russian and Indian Curators of the Roerich Trust congratulated everyone on the anniversary of the Roerich Pact and noted that India was among the first countries to support the humanistic ideas of Nicholas Roerich. The IRMT's cultural activities, in cooperation with the International Center (ICR, Moscow), are now bringing significant attention to the dissemination of Roerich's humanistic ideas on the need to protect cultural heritage. This initiative is supported by the state government, the Kullu administration, and the Russian Embassy in India, positioning the region as a centre of Russian-Indian cooperation. Dr Karanjeet Singh noted in his speech that cultural programmes of this nature are beneficial in promoting cultural exchange between our countries, attracting people and strengthening ties between Russia and India.
An important event of the Festival was the awarding of the Certificate of Honour of the Women's Union of Russia to Mrs Larisa Surgina, Russian Curator of the International Roerich Memorial Trust (India), employee of the International Centre of the Roerichs (Moscow), "for her great contribution to the preservation of the heritage of the great Russian Roerich family in India, strengthening of cooperation, cultural and friendly relations between Russia and India". Along with the Certificate, she was also awarded the medal "For Merits in Culture and Art" by the Council of the Cultural Ambassadors Club of the Women's Union. Irina Arkhipova, the honoured guest of the festival, cultural ambassador of the Union and the head of the annual international research expedition "Himalayas", presented Mrs Larisa with these high awards.
And it wouldn't have been complete without the much anticipated Awards ceremony, where the young talents of the festival were honoured for their exceptional artwork in the 'Roerichs in the Valley of the Gods (Kullu)' children's drawing competition. Held at the Roerich Estate on the 1st of May, it was a day of creativity, inspiration and celebrating young talent. A grand total of over 80 pupils from schools in Kullu Valley and the Helena Roerich Academy of Arts for children participated in the competition, making it a resounding success! The competition was held as part of the vibrant children's and youth festival 'Russia - India: from Heart to Heart' and served as the first stage of the International Festival of the ICR 'Roerichs' Realm'. Young artists received certificates, memorable prizes and souvenirs from Russia.
The festival was made all the more memorable by the festive musical programme, which was a long-awaited gift to all guests and participants. The programme was prepared by the talented teachers of the Helena Roerich Academy of Arts: Anshul Kumar (music), Mamta Thakur (dance), Anup Kumar (tabla) and Sapna Thakur (painting). The teachers and their students wowed the audience with a spectacular performance of vibrant dances, stunning costumes, captivating musical pieces and folk songs. The programme was enhanced by the inclusion of performances by Russian and Indian guests, which were seamlessly integrated. It was a truly incredible evening as singer Natalia Manezheva performed her favourite opera arias and songs. Poet and traveller Yana Shakhnazarova inspired the audience with her poems about India. And renowned flutist Gini (Jasdeep Singh Aurora) from Gujarat filled the Green Theater space with the beautiful sounds of the flute.
The May Cultural Festivals at the Roerich Estate have become an integral part of the series of spring festivals in the Kullu Valley, and a good tradition of the IRMT. Such joint festivals under the Banner of Peace expand the space of culture and 'warm the hearts', as Svetoslav Roerich wrote, bringing feelings of joy, light and love, bringing peace on our planet closer step by step.
