On April 15 the Day of Culture is celebrated worldwide. This year the day is being held under the banner Love, Beauty, Knowledge – The Basis of Life in the Universe. This day was chosen to celebrate culture in honor of the signing of the treaty on Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historic Monuments, known in international law as the Roerich Pact, on April 15, 1935, in Washington DC.
“We shall hear about the World Day of Culture too when at all schools and enlightener societies simultaneously the day will dedicated to comprehension of the national and world cultural treasures,” the painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerich said in 1931.
The official initiative to celebrate the signing of the pact as World Day of Culture was first put forward in 1998 by the World League of Culture, which was founded by the International Center of the Roerichs in 1996, RIA Novosti reports. Since then this day has been celebrated in many cities throughout Russia and the world.
The Roerich Pact remains an important document to in international law to this day. It is understood as not only a legal treaty but also whole complex of measures for protection of cultural values suggested by Nicholas Roerich. Consequently, Roerich Pact has not only legal but also philosophic, enlightener and evolutional significance since it reflects an idea of culture protection in many its manifestations.
Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service
