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Part of the articles in this website has been translated by help of the Google and other automatic translators from German. We hope that the translations are still understandable and request your tolerance in case of discrepancies. The origin in our German website shall serve as basis in case of misunderstandings.

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... and its spiritual father: Nicholas K. Roerich!

The idea of ​​"world culture heritage" of the UNESCO is based on an idea and initiative of the SPIRITUAL originator of the Int. Society "PEACE through CULTURE" – Nicholas K. Roerich, (1874-1947).

In past centuries, terrible wars between the various states of Europe were on the agenda on a regular basis – due to clerical or religious, and national fanaticism, and political and economic supremacy action. At the same time the technological and scientific progress in the field of weapons and military inspired the minds of the then rulers and leaders.

Of course there were – in all nations! – also thinkers, spiritual and cultural supporters as well as scientists (philosophers, social scientists, politicians, etc.) who questioned the causes of such madness – and provided various solutions to prevent such excesses in violence in the future.

The importance of culture as a key to a higher consciousness of peace

As one of several awareness processes that followed the international slaughter and civil wars in Europe, those voices and representatives have to be emphasized who identified themselves with the area of ​​CULTURE – and realized that basic conflicts cannot be prevented by politics nor by military presence, nor by threats or donations, nor by economic concepts or material prosperity.

The Age of Enlightenment and its related social revolutions caused the people – especially in the field of science – to think beyond the horizon so that after World War I, the willingness of this elite to support through the voice and spiritual power of CULTURE the growing peace ideas.

The 20's of last century were strongly influenced by the aftermath of the first World War and the related political shifts caused by smaller and larger 'revolutions' – especially represented by the ideas of Lenin and Marx and social concepts in Russia or Europe. Although the French Revolution already created lofty cultural ideals – such as “liberty, equality, fraternity" – the responsible authorities were not prepared to comply with these cultural and social needs. – A similar development took place after several attempts in Russia, which subsequently found its worldwide spread of socialism. We should not be forget that China, for instance, found its unique strength in the Marxist-Leninist concept by integrating positive elements from the "capitalism"!

The cosmopolitan Nicholas K. Roerich (1874-1947) developed a new concept

The Russian-born scientist, philosopher and artist, and famous painter left the (nascent) Soviet Union around 1918, was active in Western Europe and the United States, and established his residence and working environment in India (Kulu) in 1928. Already in the pre-war phase Roerich was well-known as an artist and researcher. Already in the years around 1925, based on his findings and on the global dialogue with the best universities in Europe, including such in England, France, Japan and India, the core idea of ​​a socio-political concept of peace emerged. To promote the adoption of this idea, Roerich visited all important cultural centers, the Vatican and the majority of universities over many years and especially the academics, but also society leaders, representatives of religions and denominations in order to convince them of the need for causal correctness and the far reaching importance of his concept.

Thanks to his strong commitment Roerich, in March 1929, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize – pronounced by the University of Paris and supported by scientific institutions in the world.

This approach is still called: "PAX CULTURA" – which means "PEACE through CULTURE"!

Nicholas K. Roerich had hoped that this concept would support the willingness of nations to maintain peace in the northern hemisphere so that the increasing trend towards a second World War would be reduced.

1935 – fortunately, also supported by the then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his government – in Washington, a major conference on "Peace through culture" where the Ambassadors of all South American countries (representatives of the Pan American Union, consisting of 20 Latin American countries) participated. This peace pact signed in Washington – even by the United States – provides "protection against destruction" of all the cultural treasures of mankind in the event of war!

Later on the Baltic states, also India, joint this Covenant, while the membership of other states, including the former Soviet Union (Russia) remained stuck in the parliamentary thicket – mostly caused by the war break out in 1939. Nevertheless, around 50 countries signed this agreement as a result which became internationally known as PAX CULTURA.

Since it is never too late to identify with such a meaningful and unique cultural pact serving the future of all, the Lithuanian parliament has – an example for the world – decided to actively reconfirm the PAX CULTURA in 2009. In other states such as Latvia, Russia, e.g. activities are underway to revitalize this "Roerich Pact".

What does the PAX CULTURA say?

The pact, signed in 1935, is intentionally brief, simple, clear and unambiguous and includes the commitment of the States NOT to attack, 'in case of war',  any cultural institutions like museums, universities, schools and the like by military means!The protection of such institutions or pieces of art should be secured by a "Banner of Peace” or “Banner of Culture”'! The image of this Banner consists of a white background with a bright red circle that encloses in its interior THREE LARGE, RED KEY POINTS. These represent, among other meanings, the "past, present and future", which are surrounded and protected by CULTURE (the red ring around). This symbol has existed since time immemorial in all world cultures. (And also allows for other interpretations – such as "spirit, soul, body", to be led and protected by culture, or "religion, art and science in the synthesis of living culture").

Following the World War II:
The United Nations (UNESCO)-savings package: the "WORLD CULTURE HERITAGE"!

After the end of the most terrible of all wars, many state leaders tried to be magnanimous and generous. Thus, the founding of the UN (United Nations) was connected with strong hopes for all peoples worldwide, who now expected an everlasting peace on our planet, finally. The same happened with the establishment of UNESCO, a branch of the UN, which was meant to confirm the voice and the critical significance of culture for world peace. In retrospect, it must be recognized today that unfortunately both the UN and UNESCO stayed beyond the hopeful expectations and very soon after their formation proved to be counter-productive rather.

The UN / UNESCO bowed to the wishes of the "winners" of the 2nd World War in that fragments from the Roerich Pact (PAX CULTURA) were used for the statutes and reduced to mini size. By UN resolutions, the idea of ​​"WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE" formed on the grounds that this idea would be expanded later in the sense of the original PAX CULTURA from 1935. In today's understanding and seeing the reality, such hopes are no longer appropriate!

Although the first national PAX-Cultura-associations ("Peace Through Culture" societies) were created in 1935 up to the year 1939, the period from 1939 to 1989 was marked by dead silence around this idea which was created as a concept serving humanity! Only under Mikhail Gorbachev's "glasnost and perestroika" Russian and Ukrainian intellectuals showed courage again and founded the first international association "PEACE through CULTURE" in Moscow – with members from the Soviet Writers' Union, of the Tolstoi and Gorki Institute and others, including some of the UNESCO representatives. Committee members were inter alia representatives from Ukraine, India, Austria and Germany. In the Russian-speaking cultural area ​​hundreds of local and regional societies emerged under the name "PEACE through CULTURE" – including the Ukraine, with about 50 local companies, as well as in the Baltics, Latin America, but also in Germany as a centralizing branch for EUROPE and partially Eurasia.

The activities of these societies and clubs have shown significant success since 1990/92, particularly in the Russian speaking area (focused on congresses and conferences in Kazakhstan), and are continued and expanded steadily. Recognition of these concepts is found in more and more countries.

World peace requires a higher cultural awareness and actions of ALL!