SVETOSLAV ROERICH CENTENARY CELEBRATION —
STATE LEVEL FUNCTION, 30 October 2004
Honorable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sh.Virbhadra Singh was a chief guest of the function; delegation from the Russian Embassy, Delhi; delegation from the International Centre of Roerichs, Moscow lead by Mme L.V.Shaposhnikova, Director and Mr. Yuli Vorontsov, Special envoy of Secretary General, UN ; delegation from the Ukrainian Roerich Society were high foreign guests of the function.
At the start of the whole day function, Hon.Chief Minister of H.P. Sh.Virbhadra Singh with other high guests paid their tribute to Nicholas Roerich by laying flowers at great master’s Samadhi place, then inaugurated the new museum – Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani’s Memorial in the former studio house of Svetoslav Roerich. New book on Svetoslav Roerich’s Art has been released by the Hon’ble Chief Minister during the inauguration of the Memorial.
Short cultural program followed on the stage of the newly constructed open air Theatre – with wonderful performances by folk dance group from Assam , and Russian folk group ‘Yarmanka’.
Principal Secretary (LAC) to the Himachal Pradesh Government, Sh.Ashok Thakur welcomed all high guests and participants of the international function. Mr N.Kudashev, Minister Counselor of the Russian Embassy also addressed the gathering. Sh.Prem Sharma, Director (LAC) invited Hon’ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and all members of the H.P. Government present at the function to the stage and the Souvenir on Svetoslav Roerich has been inaugurated.
After that, Mr Yuli Vorontsov, Special envoy of Secretary General, UN and President of the International Centre of Roerichs, Moscow presented Sh. Virbhadra Singh, Sh.Ashok Thakur, Sh.R.D.Nazeem (Deputy Commissioner, Kullu) and Sh.Sh.Chandel (Life Trustee, IRMT) with commemorative medals specially made by the International Centre of Roerichs, Moscow for the celebration of Svetoslav Roerich Centenary.
Hon.Chief Minister of H.P. Sh.Virbhadra Singh talked in his speech about the importance and relevance of the spiritual message of the Roerichs for the contemporary world and for Indo-Russian friendship specifically, and he also praised development that has taken place in recent times in the Trust.
After addressing the media people, Hon’ble Chief Minister inaugurated a new exhibition hall in newly constructed building at the IRMT, and the exhibition: ‘Symphony’ – Reproductions of M.Chiurlionis’s paintings, famous Lithuanian painter and musician, contemporary of Nicholas Roerich.
Mr N.Kudashev, Minister Counselor of the Russian Embassy later inaugurated in the Urusvati research Institute building another exhibition, of Dharamsala based photographer Ashwini Bhatia – photo exhibition ‘Flowers’.
After a lunch break, concert started in the theatre, with performances by the students of Helena Roerich Art College and Russian folk group ‘Yarmanka’.
Painting competition of local children was announced, and after the concert the best paintings were chosen (in 3 age categories), by the commission consisting of foreign painters. Winners of the competition received nice gifts from Russia.
Mr. N.Kudashev, Minister Counselor of the Russian Embassy personally distributed prices and gifts to all students of Helena Roerich Art College who performed at the function. In his concluding speech he highly appreciated the work of the teachers and students of the Art College.
Dr. Alena Adamkova, Curator of the Trust pronounced her vote of thanks to all guests who participated in the function, as well as to all organizers who did their best to make it a highly successful celebration.
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