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The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace
The Roerich Pact and Banner of the Peace was created and promoted by Nicolas Roerich, to protect the treasures of human genius, establishing educational institutions, artistic, scientific and religious, as well as places of cultural significance, should be declared inviolable and respected by all nations, both in wartime and peacetime. On April 15, 1935, the Roerich Pact was signed in the White House in the presence of then United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, representatives of 21 governments across America.
A new vision
The most important contribution of the Roerich Pact was the introduction of a new vision: that the conscience of all humanity expands with every creative act of human genius, that there are periods in history in which new ideas are introduced for the benefit of all, and that while the human being is more self-conscious workers already in the field of culture, arts, science, religion and many infinite fields of construction world, it becomes imperative that not only pay attention, but we support those movements that improve the quality of life.
Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace, make a contribution to improving global conditions, as it represented a path and a call for international unity and world peace. The pact was signed by all American countries, however, represented a treaty open for accession by all countries in the world and led to a global movement in search of global unity and rescued the values \u200b\u200band achievements of human creativity.
A Call for Global Unity
The recent history of humanity has a dismal balance devastation caused by war and conflict. The damage does not affect only one country, but to all humanity. Today, for the first time in history, the common man knows that there can be no peace if there is World Peace.
How can there be world peace? What is the foundation of World Peace? The answer lies in the much touted and practiced little phrase "Know thy neighbor." This ancient teaching should be practiced, now more than ever to achieve peace in the world why so many have given their lives.
Although you can not know every one of our neighbors in the world, the necessary knowledge to achieve mutual understanding can be ensured through Culture. Benefit the development to the constructive genius of the people is the basis of 'Know thy neighbor. " Esteem and appreciation of the culture of the people can ensure the mutual understanding necessary to achieve unity and peace on a permanent basis.
Culture does not belong to any individual, group, nation or era. Your property belongs to all mankind and the generations that will inherit. Construction is the creation of human endeavor. Culture transcends all barriers, prejudice and intolerance. Culture is the highest perception of Beauty and Knowledge. Without culture there is no truth, no unity, no peace.
The creative mind and its supporters, equally important, are aware of the pervasiveness of culture as the only instrument for achieving permanent world peace. Similarly, the culture must be harnessed and supported by all mankind and all generations. Culture should be considered sacred and inviolable for the mind and human hands. It is achieving this goal beneficial humanity must tackle.
Our past is filled with deplorable and irreparable destruction. Not only in war but in peacetime, the creations of human genius have been destroyed. At the same time, some sectors of humanity realized that human evolution is not possible without the legacy of Culture. The various forms of culture are untold and arduous. Therefore, one must preserve the trails that lead to it. It is the duty of this generation to create the tradition of Culture for the younger generation, because ' where there is culture there is peace' .
Humanity must endeavor to achieve the 'Day of Victory Culture. " This occurs when, simultaneously in all schools and educational institutions, the world is reminded of the true treasures of humanity, the heroic creative enthusiasm, a life richer and fuller. Ennobled consciousness, having contacted the realm of culture, of course revert to the path of peaceful construction, shameful ruling as absurd, all contempt of human dignity created by ignorance.
To this end, our cultural heritage should be safeguarded by all possible means. These treasures should be consciously assessed, remembering that every contact they ennoble the spirit. There is an innate desire in all humans, which is to make inviolable cultural achievements of mankind and thus ensure permanent peace and unity throughout the world.
Deep meaning of the Roerich Pact
dedicated effort and commitment material to this realization is not new. This case had its beginnings in 1929 when the Roerich Peace Pact proposed a Peace Flag for the protection of all the treasures of culture. International Congress for the Pact and Banner of Peace was established then, with headquarters in the city of Bruges, Belgium. This organization spread the ideals of 'Peace through culture' with highly significant results, demonstrating conclusively how these ideals were rated for positive people's hearts around the world.
The list of adherents to the Banner of Peace was a long and glorious. The flag had already been established. Sacred vows had been offered to introduce the flag everywhere, a process that was taking shape gradually. The then President United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, referring to the Roerich Pact in 1935, said: "This treaty has a much deeper spiritual meaning that the text of the instrument itself." The Roerich Pact to protect cultural treasures, is needed not only as a formal regulation, but as an education law, which since the first days of school, soak in the young generation the noble idea of \u200b\u200bsafeguarding the true values \u200b\u200bof all humanity. The treaty condemns (disapprove) not only the destruction of culture in times of war but also all acts of barbarism by which the symbols of culture are put at risk in times of peace, implementing constantly in the minds of our children, our grandchildren and all those around us, the impulse to strive in building construction. For all this, the treaty entered a crucial page in the history of the achievements of Culture. After the Second World War, the Roerich Peace Pact was known as the 'Red Cross Culture. " Indeed, it is quite similar to the Red Cross, which initially was greeted with skepticism and is now recognized as a basic symbol unquestionably humanitarian defense of life. If humanity finally recognized the Red Cross to protect the wounded and sick in physical appearance, also recognize the Banner of Peace as the symbol of peaceful prosperity and health of spirit. All the cultural centers of the world should proclaim incessantly called Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace, thus eliminating the very possibility of war. Could be created by new generations sublime traditions of veneration of the true treasures of culture. Tirelessly, where the Banner of Peace is deployed, the actual physical field of action of the war will be destroyed.
Time is short! Not an hour or a day should be lost! Human cultural heritage should be declared inviolable. Roerich Pact ideals should prevail for all. His text is a cultural convention that represents the force unifying necessary for a united and peaceful world. Under the command of the Flag of Peace, humanity will proceed towards the unity of the Supreme Cultural Organization, the powerful and peaceful union forming the 'World League of Culture. " Ideal
Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace
The Banner of Peace, became well known as the Roerich Pact command. That great humanitarian ideal established in the field of cultural achievements of mankind, the same safeguards that the Red Cross provides in alleviating the physical sufferings of human being. As expressed
the Covenant in its Articles I and II:
"will be considered as neutral and as such respected and protected by belligerents, historic monuments, museums and institutions dedicated to science, art, education and conservation of the elements of culture. Equal respect and protection to the personnel of the institutions mentioned above. Will remember the same respect and protection of historical monuments, museums and scientific institutions, artistic, educational and cultural, both in peacetime and wartime.
neutrality, protection and respect for the monuments and institutions will be agreed throughout the territory of each signatory and acceding States, without distinction on grounds of nationality to which they belong. Governments agree to adopt corresponding measures of internal legislation necessary to insure said protection and respect. Institutions and delegations who register will be differentiated by the distinctive flag of the Covenant, which will give them special protection and respect from the warring parties, governments and peoples of all signatories to the treaty. "
The Banner of Peace
The symbol has been used in a variety of philosophical and religious systems, and existed since time immemorial, being around the world. The earliest example known, appears in the Paleolithic period, on stones in Mongolia for more than 9000 years. In the oldest of Indian symbols 'Chintamani', the sign of happiness, consists of this symbol. One can also find in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, in the Three Treasures of Tibet, on the breastplate of Christ in the famous painting by Memling, in Our Lady of Strasbourg on the shields of the Crusaders, and on the coat of arms Templar. It can be seen in the leaves of the famous Caucasian swords known as "Gurda."
is striking to see the Buddhist symbol on the banners and can be seen in the works of the ancient English painters and of Titian, in icons old, in many European cathedrals and churches, Ethiopian and Coptic antiquities, on Tibetan rings, in all countries of the Himalayas and the pottery of the Neolithic period. Can be found in the images of Gessar Jyepo Khan and Rigden, in the "Tamga" of Tamerlane and the coat of arms of the Popes. It can be seen in the ancient icon of St. Nicholas in Bari and in that of St. Sergius and the Holy Trinity. Can be found on the coat of arms of the city of Samarkand, in the mountains of Mongolia, on bibs ornaments Lahul, Ladakh. The same sign is also printed in Mongolian horses.
Nothing, then, might be more appropriate to bring all races that this symbol, which is not mere decoration but a sign that bears a great significance. Based on this, has been around for undetermined periods of time and can be found throughout the world. No one can therefore claim to belong to any tradition, religion or culture: an evolution of consciousness in all its varied facets.
On the universality and antiquity that has this symbol, N. Roerich thought that there would be more appropriate one for the Banner of Peace, as it brings to all cultures and all peoples of the world. When it comes to defending the world's treasures, you could not pick a better symbol, since is universal, dating indecipherable, and carries a meaning that can find an echo in every human heart.
While the Banner of Peace was created by artist Nicholas Roerich in the early 1920, was officially introduced through the Roerich Pact, signed in 1935 by twenty countries in America, to protect and respect the monuments, treasures and artistic and cultural spaces in time of war and peace. In the present, and after the Second World War, its meaning takes on a different value, while preserving the Universal Law of Peoples Choice on Earth to live in peace, and human values \u200b\u200bthat help to preserve the life of our planet.
Roerich Pact
The High Contracting Parties, animated by the purpose of giving conventional form to the postulates of the resolution adopted on December 16, 1933, for all the States represented at the Seventh International Conference American States, held in Montevideo which recommended "the governments of America have not done so, the signing of the 'Roerich Pact', initiated by the Roerich Museum in the United States, and that is to the universal adoption of a flag, and created and disseminated, to preserve her, at any time of danger all nationally owned immovable monuments or particular form the cultural treasure of peoples ", and in order that the treasures of culture be respected and protected in time of war and peace, have resolved to conclude a treaty, and to this end have agreed on the following items:
ARTICLE I
will be considered as neutral and as such respected and protected by belligerents, historic monuments, museums and institutions dedicated to science, art, education and conservation culture elements.
same respect and protection to the personnel of the institutions mentioned above. shall be accorded the same respect and protection to the historical monuments, museums and scientific institutions, artistic, educational, cultural and peacetime and wartime.
ARTICLE II
neutrality, protection and respect for the monuments and institutions mentioned in the previous article shall be accorded throughout the territory of each signatory and acceding States, without distinction on grounds of nationality to which they belong. The respective Governments agree to adopt the measures necessary domestic legislation to ensure such protection and respect.
ARTICLE III
To identify the monuments and institutions referred to in Article I, you can use a distinctive flag (red circle with a triple red sphere in the circle on a white background) according to the model annexed to this treaty.
ARTICLE IV
signatory Governments and those which accede to this Convention, communicate to the Pan American Union, in the act of signature or accession, or at any time after the act, a list of monuments or institutions that wish to submit to the protection afforded by this treaty. American Union, when notifying the Governments of signatures or accessions, shall also the list of monuments and institutions mentioned in this article, and inform the other Governments of any changes subsequently made on that list.
ARTICLE V
The monuments and institutions referred to in Article I shall cease to enjoy the privileges recognized in this Convention, when used for military purposes.
ARTICLE VI
States that do not sign the treaty in their date, may sign or accede to it at any time.
ARTICLE VII
The instruments of accession, well as those of ratification and denunciation of this Convention shall be deposited in the Pan American Union which shall communicate the fact of deposit to the signatory and acceding States.
ARTICLE VIII
any State which signed this Convention or accede to it may be terminated at any time, and the denunciation shall take effect three months after its notification to the other signatories or acceding.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, having deposited their full powers, found in good and due form, sign this agreement on behalf of their governments, on the dates appearing opposite their signatures.
For Mexico: April 15, 1935 F. Castillo Najera,
certify that foregoing is a true copy of the original with signatures to date, the Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historic Monuments (Roerich Pact), deposited in the Pan American Union and opened for signature or accession of all States.
Washington, DC, April 16, 1935.
E. Gil-Borges - Secretary of the Board of the Pan American Union.
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