An international scientific and public conference “Russia and the Roerichs’ Heritage” was held at the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich. It was timed to the 140th anniversary of the great artist, scientist, and public figure. In this year we also celebrate 135th birth anniversary of Helena Roerich and 110th anniversary of Svetoslav Roerich.

At the end of the forum, a round table on the subject of “Problems of public culture in Russia and the Roerichs’ heritage” was conducted. The participants not only honestly spoke about fate of public culture, but also put forward concrete proposals how to help the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich and the International Centre of the Roerichs during this hard time. They suggested to more actively search for new opportunities to promote the ideas of Nicholas Roerich in the area of culture; use such a form as master classes for supporting gifted children.

The participants of the round table put forward proposals aimed at attracting new visitors to the Museum, including students, especially as the above mentioned anniversaries coincide with declaration of the Year of Culture in Russia.

A conference resolution was drawn in accordance with the results of the discussion.

This international forum has demonstrated that the ICR, despite of all financial difficulties, hands on the lamp of the glorious Roerich family that can be determined by Nicholas Roerich’s appeal “Peace through Culture”. Overcoming difficulties and sometimes even resistance the ICR with an active support of local Roerich organizations advances a grandiose project “the Roerich Pact. History and Modernity”. These efforts don’t go unrewarded. As a proof, UNESCO has granted its patronage to these events in the ICR within the frames of celebration of Day of Peace. Another valid proof is the fact that the Director General of the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich Lyudmila Shaposhnikova was honoured with Bulgarian award “the Samara Cross”. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bulgaria Mr. Boyko Kotzev, while handing the award during the conference, stressed that people in his country have an exceptional respect for Ms. Lyudmila Shaposhnikova and her efforts aimed at popularization and preservation of the Roerichs heritage. She is known in Bulgaria as “an outstanding scientist, philosopher, writer, indefatigable public figure”. Mr. Boyko Kotzev told to Ms. Lyudmila Shaposhnikova “Let your desire to inspire people with the endeavour of spiritual perfection will last for more and more years”.