INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR DEDICATED TO THE CENTENARY OF GEORGE ROERICH, 12-14 December 2002
From 12th till 14th December 2002, the IRMT organized an International Seminar dedicated to the Centenary of George Roerich (1902–1960).
International seminar in Naggar concluded previous meetings dedicated to the Centenary of George Roerich, which were held first in Bangalore and later on in Delhi.
On the first day, 12th December, an i nauguration of the Exhibition on George Roerich took place in the reconstructed Urusvati Research Himalayan Institute. One hall of the former Institute was turned into a permanent exhibition room. Photos, personal things of George Roerich and other members of the Roerich family were displayed there. The most interesting is collection of ancient arms that belonged to George who was an ardent collector of them – visitors can admire an ancient Tibetan swords and shields, or huge spears and South Asiatic gun, or modern sword from England, etc.
Manuscripts of George with his neat handwriting, cards in several languages, used for preparation of his unique four-lingual dictionary, first edition of his translation of the ‘Blue Annals’, printed by the Royal Asiatic Society in Calcutta, form the contents of the exhibition.
Ancient chinese coins, and sharp stones-first human instruments of the bygone eras, and many other artifacts from the Central Asiatic Expedition conducted by the Roerichs are also part of the exhibition.
Guests from several countries were present at the Seminar.
Cultural program – local dances were shown to the participants of the seminar.
In the evening, premiere of the Documentary film “STAR OF THE HERO” dedicated to George Roerich was shown in Russian language to the Russian guests.
Next day, on 13th December, second session of the seminar was conducted, participants read their papers, and there was a fruitful discussion about many subjects pertaining to the papers.
All participants of the Seminar paid their tribute at the Samadhi of Nicholas Roerich, who passed away on this day, in 1947.
After the lunch, guests were taken for sightseeing of Naggar temples.
After the third session of the seminar, cultural program of Indian Classical music was offered to the participants.
In the evening, premiere of the Documentary film “STAR OF THE HERO” dedicated to George Roerich was shown in English language to Indian guests.
The last dayof the seminar, 14th December, included final session, followed by cultural program – local folk music. Excursion to Manali, and visit to ancient temples and hot springs ended the most fruitful and rich program of the Seminar.
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