DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROERICH MEMORIAL TRUST IN THE YEAR 2005
HELENA ROERICH ART COLLEGE
This year, students of the College prepared cultural programs and concerts on the occasion of several international functions organized by the Trust:
— on 13th February 2005, for Helena Roerich Birthday function;
— on 15th April, 2005, during the celebration of 70th Anniversary of the Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace;
— on Nicholas Roerich Annual Birth Celebration on 9th October, 2005;
Besides these functions, students often performed during the inauguration of different Art exhibitions, greeting special guests of the IRMT from India and abroad. Separate program was prepared by them also during an annual week-together and Christmas function, on 25th December, 2005.
THEATRE STAGE
During the year 2005 construction works have been completed.
Furnishing of two green rooms and store room is the last task left.
MEMORIAL STONES
Proper cleaning and further conservation of statues was done in this year, measurement and description was conducted by an expert from the Archeological Survey of India, Shimla. Statues are currently at display as a part of the IRMT attraction for the visitors. Registration papers have been received from the LAC Department, Govt.of Himachal Pradesh.
‘AT HALL ESTATE’ WAYSIDE BUILDING
In 2005 main construction works have been completed. On the top floor, two halls are functioning: modern art exhibition hall, and the seminar/cinema hall. Sales counter of the IRMT publications and souvenirs has been transferred to this building as well.
Tea bar has been opened on the top floor in May. IRMT Restaurant (one indoor big hall and two open air balconies) has been opened on the middle floor in June. Indian, Russian and Tibetan cuisine is being offered for the tourists.
The lower floor houses several Guest house rooms, which became functional in July.
ROERICH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
Approval of the Trustees of this project has been received during the 14th Board Meeting of the Trustees of the IRMT held on 2nd April, 2005.
Another meeting took place in Delhi on 20th May, 2005, where concrete steps for the materialization of the project were discussed there. Necessary paper work is currently going on.
PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES
Publishing activities continued this year, but due to lack of necessary finances, the approved publication plan could not have been fulfilled.
Following work has been done:
1/ Reprint: Nicholas Roerich’s reproductions. 6 loose postcards. 6000 copies (March’05)
2/ Reprint: Svetoslav Roerich’s reproduction. Big size poster ‘Gaddi Girl’. 1000 copies (April’05)
3/ Book: The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. 1000 copies (April’05)
4/ Ceramic Mugs with S.Roerich’s painting. 1000 copies (April’05)
5/ Book: Nicholas Roerich. Flowers from Morya’s Garden. 1000 copies (September’05)
TEMPORARY ART EXHIBITIONS BY INDIAN
AND FOREIGN ARTISTS
Following Modern Art exhibitions have been organized during the year 2005 by Indian and foreign artists, both self-taught and professional:
1/ 27.02.– 12.04. – ‘Colors of Life’ – Emboss paintings by Vijay Kumar Mehta, Kullu
2/ 15.04.– 30.05.– ‘The Sound of Silence’ - Photo exhibition by Rahul Sud, Kullu, H.P.
3/ 15.04.– 29.04. – ‘70th Anniversary of the Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace’ – Photo
exhibition from the International Centre of the Roerichs, Moscow, Russia
4/ 15.04.– 07.08.- Painting exhibition by the students of Helena Roerich Art College, IRMT
5/ 01.05.– 28.05. – ‘Vibration of Nature’ - Painting exhibition by Prabir and Banasree
Dutta, Shyamnagar, West Bengal
6/ 29.05.– 26.06. – ‘Driftwood Art’ – Exhibition of driftwood sculptures by Sh.Durga
Rao, Kullu
7/ 05.06.– 12.06. – ‘Russia and Europe’ – Painting Exhibition by T.Vavrzhina, Moscow,
Russia
8/ 19.06.– 19.07. – Painting exhibition by Om Chand Sharma, Mandi, H.P.
9/ 02.08.– 15.08. - ‘Metamorphosis’ - Painting exhibition by Joong B.Kim, USA
10/ 09.08. – still on - ‘Ladakh’ – Photo exhibition by Alexander Titov, Moscow, Russia
11/ 09.10.- 25.11. - Biennal Illustrations of Bratislava – Exhibition of reproductions of best
paintings from BIB, Bratislava, Slovakia
12/ 09.10.– 25.11. - ‘When deities descend…’ – Exhibition of wooden carved sculptures by
Ses Ram, Rumsu, Kullu distt., Himachal Pradesh
13/ 27.11. – still on – ‘From the Carpathians to Himalayas’ – painting exhibition by
Vladimir Kozar, Kiev, Ukraine
IMPORTANT VISITS:
New Ambassador of Russia, H.E. Mr V.I.Trubnikov, being also a Vice President of the IRMT Board of Trustees, visited the Trust twice during this year, and he continuously provides his valuable support for the development of the IRMT.
Ambassador of Mongolia, H.E. Mr Jantsan Gulgou with his wife have visited the Trust as Chief guests during the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace on 15th April, 2005. Mr A.A.Sorokin, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of the Russian Federation, also honored the occasion.
Transport, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sh.G.S.Bali visited the IRMT in July.
MEETINGS:
On 2nd April, 2005, the14th Board Meeting of Trustees of the IRMT took place in Shimla under the chairmanship of Honorable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mr Virbhadra Singh, and with new Ambassador of Russia, Mr.V.I.Trubnikov. Many important decisions were taken during the meeting for the future development and functioning of the Trust that became a symbol of Indo-Russian friendship and cultural cooperation.
3 Executive Committee meetings of the IRMT took place in 2005, during which all current matters and problems of the Trust were discussed.
FUNCTIONS:
IRMT is organizing different functions and celebrations from time to time to commemorate Roerich’s ideals and events. The most important events were:
13.02.2005 – Helena Roerich Birth Anniversary celebration. Members of Lithuanian Roerich Society were the main guests at the celebration;
15.04.2005, an international function – celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. Director of Latvian Roerich Society (branch of the ICR, Moscow), M.Ozolina took part in the function, as well as the member of Estonian Roerich Society;
9.10.05. – Nicholas Roerich Birth Annual Anniversary celebration. H.E. Mr V.I.Trubnikov, Ambassador of Russia, Mr N.M.Fedyukovich, Consul General of Russia in Kolkata, Mr F.A.Rozovsky, Director of Russian Centre of Science and Culture, New Delhi, were main guests of the function, as well as members of Syktyvkar Roerich Society, Russia;
25.12.05 – Annual Helena Roerich Art College Meeting and Christmas celebration;
25.12.05 – Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Victory over fascism in the WW II;
PROJECTS:
— Mushroom cultivation started in the Trust (March’05);
— Worm composting system has been introduced in the Trust (April’05);
— Herbal Garden has been set up at the Urusvati ground in the summer, and 13 species of valuable local medicinal herbs were planted;
— Conservation work of the botanical archives – 3 students arrived from Altai State University, Barnaul, Russia, worked for one month as volunteers at the Trust;
— Preparation of Web Site of the IRMT – main work almost completed;
— ‘Heavenly Himachal’ project, concerning Himachal Pradesh state folk heritage:
Few local festivals were filmed and documented:
Lohri festival in Naggar – 13.1.05;
Phagri festival at Rumsu village - 24.2.05;
— Roerich Pact of Culture - on 15th April, 2005, celebration of 70th Anniversary of the Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace was held at the IRMT, and the book about the history of the Pact printed by the Trust: The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace;
— Orchard project – revival of the famous Roerich orchard is in full sway;
— Construction projects – reconstruction works are going on (Osborn Estate, ‘Blue House’);
IRMT took part at the famous Dussehra festival exhibition in Kullu, in October, putting its exhibition-cum-sale stall there, advertising Museum’s publications and souvenirs.
Compiled on:
13.02.2006
