April 15 is International Culture Day. International Day of Culture

Main difference modern people from ancestors is more high degree development. But it is a mistake to believe that a person who lived long before we were born had completely wild ideas about certain things. For example, in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece cultural development has already been observed. And currently, much effort is being made to preserve traditions and values ​​that are significant to the world community. One of bright examples This is a regular celebration on April 15th International Day culture. The date was established in 1998 on the initiative of members of the World League for Cultural Preservation, founded in 1996.

For the first time the idea of ​​establishing of this holiday suggested by Nicholas Roerich. This event took place in 1931 in Belgium at a congress dedicated to the promotion of an interethnic pact for the protection of culture. At the conference, the key goal of the solemn date was announced - propaganda calling for the knowledge of all that is beautiful. In the spring four years later, at the Roosevelt residence, the international agreement “Roerich Pact” on the protection of cultural property was adopted. Nicholas Roerich himself always called culture the only effective tool in order to improve humanity, seeing in it the basis for the unification of all people, regardless of religion or belonging to any nation.

The decision to establish official protection of culture came to him in the first half of the last century, during the study of ancient Russian monuments. The Russian-Japanese military conflict, which occurred in 1904, forced the painter to seriously worry about the safety cultural values.
In 1914, he approached Russian officials and the governments of the remaining warring states with the idea of ​​​​ensuring the protection of ancient monuments through the conclusion of an appropriate treaty. However, the call was ignored. After 15 years, the artist drew up and published a draft agreement, supplementing it with a message to the residents of all countries. This document caused a wide resonance and found a response among the world community. Committees have been formed in individual states that strongly support the project. As a result, the Pact was approved.

Every year on April 15, many countries around the world celebrate this holiday. A list of events organized on this day all over the world, in particular in Russia, officially recognized as one of the most cultural states The earth is as diverse as the very concept of culture.

The program includes:
- exhibitions dedicated to the culture of various nationalities;
- scientific congresses dedicated to this topic;
- educational lectures about the culture of different nations;
- holiday concerts;
- evenings of poetry and classical music;
- performances and stage performances.

A mandatory attribute of the event is the ceremonial raising of the Banner created by Roerich - a canvas white, depicting three circles (symbols of the past, present and future).

Roerich Pact

Modern humanity differs from its ancient ancestors by more high level development. In principle, this difference can also be characterized by using the term “civilization.” However, it is wrong to think that people who lived long before us had completely wild ideas about certain things. For example, in the same Ancient Egypt, ancient Greece there was a concept of culture, and in the 19th century the development of the latter reached, one might say, its apogee. However, today every effort is being made to preserve cultural values ​​and traditions. One of the steps taken in this direction is the annual celebration of International Culture Day on April 15.

Information about the holiday April 15 International Day of Culture

This date was established in 1998. The initiative to include it in the calendar of public events with international status belongs to representatives of the International League for the Defense of Culture. This public organization began its functioning two years earlier, having been established by the International Center of the Roerichs.

It must be said that International Day of Culture is even more closely connected with this surname. The fact is that on April 15, 1935, the signing of the so-called Roerich Pact took place in Washington, which is officially called the agreement “On the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and historical monuments" Nicholas Roerich, whose name was named after such an important document, was famous artist. 4 years before signing it, within the framework of a conference held in the Belgian city of Bruges, the figure proposed holding a World Culture Day. Roerich bowed before this, as he believed, the main driving force improvement of society and was absolutely convinced that culture is the unifying link between people, regardless of their religion and nationality. Of course, Roerich’s proposal was supported, and as a result, those present made the appropriate decision to establish a holiday. At the same time, a clear formulation of the main task appeared significant date: call of the masses to knowledge and beauty.

The Roerich Pact, based on the unofficial name of the agreement, was also proposed by the artist. First, Roerich made a corresponding appeal at the very beginning of the last century to the warring states, including Russia, with a request to do everything possible to preserve cultural values ​​through the conclusion of a specific international agreement. However, the artist was not heard then. Roerich did not abandon his idea and in 1929 he independently developed and then published a draft of the corresponding treaty. The Roerich Pact became widely known throughout the world. He was supported by many cultural figures: writers, scientists, artists. Among them were Albert Einstein, Thomas Mann, H.G. Wells, Bernard Shaw, Rabindranath Tagore, etc. And in many countries committees were formed in support of the famous document.

Currently, every year on April 15, a considerable number of world powers celebrate Culture Day by raising the Banner of Peace. This is happening in Russia too. This tradition appeared in December 2008, when public organizations in our country, Latvia, Lithuania, Cuba, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Argentina took the corresponding initiative. “Banner of Peace” is a distinctive sign proposed and approved, just like the Pact, by Nicholas Roerich. The author intended them to mark those under protection cultural sites. The “Banner of Peace” is a white panel with the image of three touching amaranth circles, personifying past, present and future human achievements. The listed circles, in addition to everything else, are framed by the ring of Eternity.

The meaning and principles of the Roerich Pact

The Treaty “On the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments” subsequently served as the basis for the creation of many modern documents in the field of protection cultural heritage. For example, on the basis of the Roerich Pact, some acts of the UNESCO organization were developed: “Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict” (1954), “Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illegal Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property " (1970), "Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and natural heritage" (1972), "Declaration on the Deliberate Destruction of Cultural Heritage", "Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity".

The principles and provisions of the Roerich Pact played a huge role in the continued formation of legal norms in the field of cultural heritage protection. This is explained by the general nature of the basic idea of ​​the contract. Here they are:

The Roerich Pact is unique. In fact, it became the first international document, entirely dedicated to protecting and the protection of cultural property, moreover, not containing a clause about violation of the document due to military necessity. IN in a broad sense The Roerich Pact should be understood as the entire complex of measures to protect the cultural heritage of the planet. It turns out that in addition to the legal Pact, it also has philosophical, evolutionary and educational significance.

Concept of culture

It remains to penetrate into the meaning of the hero of the occasion. In other words, to answer a seemingly banal, but in reality, answer is enough complex issue: “What is culture?” Translated from Latin, this term, derived from the verb "colo", "colere", meaning "cultivation". Later, this word acquired a slightly different sound, while retaining its original meaning: culture is upbringing, development, education, reverence.

As a rule, the concept of culture is applicable to human activity, expressed in various manifestations. The source of culture is creativity and knowledge. At the same time in different periods development of mankind had its own concepts of culture. Thus, the ancient Greeks associated the latter with a sincere attitude towards everything they did, even cultivating the land. And in Russia XVIII– XIX centuries the word “enlightenment” was synonymous with culture.

Today we are accustomed to understand by culture all the best that has been created and is being created in the field of art, classical music, and literature. And we associate the word “cultured” with a person who is literate, well-mannered, and has command of good manners. However, there is no doubt that scientific and technological progress has a detrimental effect on the development of culture. Confirmation of this is the words of Oswald Spengler: “Civilization arises where culture dies.” The conclusion suggests itself: incredible efforts must be made to reconcile these two powerful “engines” of human development.

The date is associated with the signing on April 15, 1935 in Washington of the agreement “On the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments,” which became known in international legal practice as the Roerich Pact.

The initiative to celebrate the day of signing the Pact as the International Day of Culture was taken in 1998 by the public organization International League for the Defense of Culture, founded in 1996 by the International Center of the Roerichs.

Since that time, in many cities of Russia and around the world, on April 15, a solemn celebration of Culture Day is taking place with the raising of the Banner of Peace. In some Russian cities, International Day of Culture has been celebrated since 1995.

In December 2008, on the initiative public organizations Russia, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Latvia, Lithuania created an International Movement to establish April 15 as World Culture Day under the Banner of Peace.

Proposal for holding world day culture was put forward by the artist Nicholas Roerich in 1931 in the Belgian city of Bruges at a conference dedicated to promoting an international treaty for the protection of cultural property. Roerich considered culture to be the main driving force towards the improvement of human society, and saw in it the basis of the unity of people different nationalities and religions. At the same time, the main task of the Day of Culture was named - a broad appeal to beauty and knowledge.

Nicholas Roerich wrote: “Let us also affirm the World Day of Culture, when in all churches, in all schools and educational societies at the same time, we will be reminded in an enlightened manner of the true treasures of humanity, of creative heroic enthusiasm, of the improvement and beautification of life.”

Roerich proposed the first international legal act on the protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historical monuments.

The idea of ​​the need to conclude a special agreement on the protection of cultural monuments during wars arose and was expressed by him in 1904-1905 during the Russian-Japanese War at a meeting of the Russian architectural society. In 1929, Roerich came up with a draft Pact and addressed the peoples and governments of all countries.

In the 1930s, a social movement of supporters of the conclusion of the Pact developed, and Roerich Pact societies were created in a number of countries. In 1931-1932, two international conferences dedicated to the Pact were held in the Belgian city of Bruges; in 1933, a third conference was held in Washington, which recommended that the governments of all countries sign the document.

The signing of the Roerich Pact took place on April 15, 1935 in Washington at the White House by representatives of 21 states of the American continent. Franklin Roosevelt, Romain Rolland, Bernard Shaw, Rabindranath Tagore, Herbert Wells, and Albert Einstein came out in support of the Pact.

Various events are annually dedicated to the International Day of Culture - exhibitions, round tables, conferences, etc.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

April 15 is celebrated as International Day of Culture. The date is associated with the signing on April 15, 1935 in Washington of the agreement “On the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments,” which became known in international legal practice as the Roerich Pact.

The initiative to celebrate the day of signing the Pact as the International Day of Culture was taken in 1998 by the public organization International League for the Defense of Culture, founded in 1996 by the International Center of the Roerichs.

Since that time, in many cities of Russia and around the world, on April 15, a solemn celebration of Culture Day is taking place with the raising of the Banner of Peace. In some Russian cities, International Day of Culture has been celebrated since 1995.

Since 1999, at the initiative of public organizations, this day has been celebrated as an international day of culture.

In December 2008, on the initiative of public organizations in Russia, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Latvia, and Lithuania, the International Movement was created to establish April 15 as World Culture Day under the Banner of Peace.

The proposal to hold World Culture Day was put forward by the artist Nicholas Roerich in 1931 in the Belgian city of Bruges at a conference dedicated to promoting an international treaty on the protection of cultural property. Roerich considered culture the main driving force on the path to improving human society, and saw in it the basis for the unity of people of different nationalities and religions. At the same time, the main task of the Day of Culture was named - a broad appeal to beauty and knowledge. Nicholas Roerich wrote: “Let us also affirm the World Day of Culture, when in all churches, in all schools and educational societies at the same time, we will be reminded in an enlightened manner of the true treasures of humanity, of creative heroic enthusiasm, of the improvement and beautification of life.”

The first international legal act on the protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historical monuments was also proposed by Roerich.
The idea of ​​​​creating organized protection of cultural values ​​arose from him at the very beginning of the century while studying the monuments of Russian antiquity. Russo-Japanese War 1904 forced the artist to think seriously about the threat that lurked in the technical improvement of military means of destruction. In 1914, Nicholas Roerich addressed the Russian government and the governments of other warring countries with a proposal to ensure the safety of cultural property by concluding an appropriate international agreement, but his appeal then remained unanswered. In 1929, Roerich prepared and published in various languages ​​a draft treaty on the protection of cultural property, accompanying it with an appeal to the governments and peoples of all countries. The draft treaty received worldwide fame and wide response among the world community. Romain Rolland, Bernard Shaw, Albert Einstein, Herbert Wells, Maurice Maeterlinck, Thomas Mann, Rabindranath Tagore supported the idea of ​​Nicholas Roerich. Committees were formed in many countries in support of the Roerich Pact. The draft Pact was approved by the Committee on Museum Affairs of the League of Nations, as well as the Pan American Union.

On April 15, 1935, in Washington, the leaders of 21 states of the American continent adopted an international treaty “On the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments,” known as the Roerich Pact.

As part of the pact, the distinctive sign proposed by Roerich was approved, which was supposed to mark protected cultural objects. This sign was the “Banner of Peace” - a white cloth on which three touching amaranth circles are depicted - the past, present and future achievements of mankind, surrounded by a ring of Eternity. The pact contains general principles regarding the protection of cultural property and the respect due to it. The provision on the protection of objects is unconditional in the pact and is not weakened by clauses on military necessity, which reduce the effectiveness of the protection of cultural property in armed conflicts.

Translated from Sanskrit, “culture” means “reverence for light.” And these words really convey the true essence of the phenomenon: the desire to experience beauty, self-improvement, and search for ideals. Culture is what turns a person into a truly intelligent thinking being. Culture unites the human race into a single whole, despite the place of birth and native language any person.

Story

Our country has the most direct and immediate relation to the establishment of the holiday under discussion. For the first time such an idea was expressed by the world famous Russian philosopher and artist Nicholas Roerich. He announced his proposal in 1931 in the Belgian city of Bruges at an international conference dedicated to the development of a pact for the protection of cultural property. Later, it deservedly received the name “Roerich Pact”, signed on April 15, 1935 in Washington. It was this day that was subsequently chosen as the date of the new holiday.

The International Center of the Roerichs, created by the descendants of the artists in 1998, proposed celebrating April 15 as a world holiday. As part of the initiative, an international movement in its support was established already in 2008. Having not yet received official recognition, World Day of Culture (that’s what it sounds like in English language name of the holiday), nevertheless it is celebrated very widely almost all over the world.

Traditions

List of promotions and events taking place on April 15 all over the planet, including Russia, recognized as one of most cultural countries planet, is as vast as the phenomenon of culture itself. The cultural program includes:

• exhibitions dedicated to various national cultures;
• scientific conferences devoted to this topic;
• educational lectures on the culture of the peoples of the world;
• gala concerts;
• poetry and musical evenings;
• plays and theatrical performances.

An indispensable attribute of the celebration is the solemn raising of the Banner of Peace, designed by the same Nicholas Roerich - a white cloth with the image of three touching amaranth circles, symbolizing the past, present and future.