Institute of Humanities of Altai State University welcomes to participate in the international creative competition dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Nicholas Roerich

The Institute of Humanities of Altai State University, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the artist, public figure, archaeologist, traveler, academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts Nicholas Roerich, which is celebrated this year, is organizing an international competition of painting, graphics, decorative and applied arts “Roerich’s Path”, aimed at increasing the interest of children and youth from different countries, as well as their mentors, in creative understanding of the spiritual and cultural ideas of the great Russian thinker.

Throughout his life, the artist created about 7 thousand paintings, many of which are kept in the most famous museums in the world. Nicholas Roerich is the author of the idea and initiator of the Roerich Pact – the first international treaty in history on the protection of cultural heritage, the founder of the cultural movements “Peace through Culture” and “Banner of Peace”. During long expeditions to China, India, Tibet, Mongolia and Altai, he studied local folklore, the culture of different peoples, and looked for rare manuscripts. In his philosophical essays, Roerich creates a new concept of culture, which, together with his ideas, is extremely relevant today.

“The life and work of the Roerich family is an inexhaustible source of wisdom and beauty, striving to reconcile humanity through love for culture. The creative legacy of Nikolai Roerich still continues to inspire people, awakening in them the desire for self-improvement. Therefore, we decided to celebrate Roerich’s anniversary year in a special way: on the one hand, to encourage the younger generation to get acquainted with the legacy of the great Russian thinker, and on the other hand, to give the opportunity for Roerich’s thought to continue in the works of the competitors. We hope that in young hearts our competition will ignite passion for creativity and culture, and, perhaps, for some it will become a launching pad for the realization of their talents,” noted Director of the Institute of Humanities of Altai State University, Doctor of Art Criticism, Professor Larisa Nekhvyadovich.

The competition aims to familiarize its participants with art as a system of emotional and value criteria, identify and support children and youth with creative abilities, provide assistance in unlocking their potential, nurture love to creativity, beauty, and art.

The organizers also announce an essay competition dedicated to the work of N.K. Roerich. This kind of nomination is very rare, and therefore is in demand among teachers of theoretical disciplines.

As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Nicholas Roerich, the Institute of Humanities, in addition to the competition, organizes a number of other events.

For example, students in creative fields will make a study trip to the Nicholas Roerich Museum in Novosibirsk on the eve of his anniversary. Altai State University will organize another event at the Universum gallery in February of this year. This will be an open lecture by teachers of the Department of Arts N.Grechneva and V. Bochkovskaya “Altai – Himalayas. The path of Nicholas Roerich."

After summing up the results of the competition (in April 2024), diplomas will be awarded to the winners in a grand ceremony in the Universum art gallery of the Institute of Humanities of Altai State University.