STATEMENT

Of the International Centre of the Roerichs (Moscow) and the International Roerich Memorial Trust (India) on joint work of creating the Roerich Memorial Museum Complex and the revival of the activities of the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute in the Nicholas Roerich Estate in Naggar.

From 1st to 2nd October, 2012 negotiations between the International Center of the Roerichs (ICR) and the International Roerich Memorial Trust (MMTR) were held with the participation of the representatives of the Government of Himachal Pradesh (India).

On the part of the ICR Professor A.V. Postnikov, President of the ICR, Honored Worker of Sciences in Russian Federation; Ms. L.V. Shaposhnikova, Vice-President of the ICR, Director General of the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich, Honored Worker of Arts in Russian Federation, and Mr. A.V. Stetsenko, First Deputy Director General of the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich, participated in the discussion. On the part of the IRMT Mr. Sudripta Roy, Head of the Delegation, Chief Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh; Mrs. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, General Secretary of the IRMT, and Mr. Rakesh Kanwar, Director of the Department of the language, art and culture, participated in the discussion.

The parties discussed the plan of the joint work and expressed sincere dedication for cooperation aimed at the fulfillment of the wish and desire of Svetoslav Roerich on the creation of the Roerich Memorial Museum Complex and the revival of the activities of the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute in the Nicholas Roerich Estate (Naggar, India).

During the visit Indian delegation got acquainted with the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich of the International Centre of the Roerichs. Permanent exposition of the Museum and its exhibition activities around the world aroused sincere admiration. The work conducted by the Museum’s specialists was highly appreciated by the Indian guests who left kind references in the Museum’s guest-book. The multifaceted cultural, public and international activities of the International Centre of the Roerichs in preserving and popularizing the Heritage of the Roerichs were also highly appraised.

On October 2nd, 2012 the Agreement between the ICR and the IRMT was signed at the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich, which is a very auspicious day for Indian people being the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Indian nation and the Ambassador for peace and non-violence. On the basis of the signed document the Parties agreed to create the Memorial Museum Complex and to revive the activities of the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute (created by the Roerichs in 1928 and discontinued at the beginning of the Second World war) on the basis of the Roerichs Estate in Naggar (India) by joint effort, using the ICR experience in preservation and popularizing of the Heritage of the Roerichs, and engaging Indian specialists.

As the first part of the realization of this project, the ICR undertook obligations to develop a Concept plan of the development of the IRMT at its own expense. In its turn, the Indian party undertook the obligation to present all the necessary facilities for the effective work of the ICR experts at the IRMT for the performing of this task. In future the Parties agreed on joint realization of this Concept plan of the development of the IRMT.

One of the most important articles of the signed Agreement is the article on the status and the authorities of the Russian curator at the IRMT. In accordance with the earlier signed Protocol of Cooperation (2007) the ICR offers the IRMT a candidate for being appointed as a staff member of the IRMT. In the Agreement, signed on October 2nd, 2012 the Parties finalized the nomination procedure, status, rights and responsibilities of the Russian curator. The present agreement defines not only the responsibilities of the Parties aimed at providing help in work of the Russian curator at the IRMT, but also increases his/her responsibilities for the taken obligations. In future it will allow to avoid tension caused by the activities of Mrs. A. Adamkova, previous Russian curator of the IRMT.

The ICR and MMTR hope to get support and assistance of the Russian and Indian governments to implement the wish and desire of Svetoslav Roerich on the creation of the Roerich Memorial Museum complex and the revival of the activities of the Himalayan Research Institute “Urusvati” in the Nicholas Roerich Estate (Naggar, India). The implementation of the plans outlined by the ICR and IRMT will strengthen the cultural relations between Russia and India.

Summing up the results of the meeting, the Parties confirmed the dedication to the utmost strengthening of their relations and expressed a firm conviction that only mutual respect of the Parties’ interests and comprehensive help to each other will contribute to the successful realization of the outlined plans. 

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