Universal Day of Culture

Pax Cultura symbol; emblem of the Banner of Peace

The Universal Day of Culture under the Banner of Peace, known also as the World Day of Culture, is an observance held annually on April 15 in many countries around the world to promote the protection of culture, the Roerich Pact and the Banner of Peace.[1]

History

The Universal Day of Culture was proposed by the author of the Roerich Pact—the Russian artist Nicholas Roerich. In several articles and letters, written in 1931–1935, he spoke about the Universal Day of Culture. In his "Greetings to the Bruges Conference in 1931" Roerich defined the Universal Day of Culture as a day which "shall be consecrated to the full appreciation of all national and universal treasures of culture".[2] According to Roerich, the celebrations had to take place in all schools and educational institutions.[2] In 1933, in his "Prayer for Peace and Culture" Roerich includes also the churches into this list and specifies that on this day "the world will be reminded of the true treasures of humanity, of creative heroic enthusiasm, of improvement and enhancement of life."[3] On April 15, 1935, when the Roerich Pact was signed in Washington, Roerich mentioned this date as "memorable day" and "significant date",[4] which later led to consideration of April 15 as the Universal Day of Culture.

International movement

The International Movement for the affirmation of April 15 as Universal Day of Culture (IMAUDC[5]) was established in December 2008 by NGOs from Cuba, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Spain. As of 2014, 40 organizations from 14 countries and 25,000 individuals participate in the Movement.[6]

Lithuania

Lithuania is the first country in which the Universal Day of Culture is celebrated on government level since 2006.[7] On November 24, 2007 the 26th session of the Baltic Assembly adopted a Resolution, initiated by Lithuania, in which the Assembly proposed to the governments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to proclaim April 15 as Day of Culture of the Baltic states.[8] At the celebrations in 2009 the minister of defense of Lithuania Rasa Juknevičienė, the minister of culture Remigijus Vilkaitis, ambassador of Day of Culture at Council of the Commission about the Culture of the Union of the Baltic Cities Aukse Narvilene appeared with salutatory addresses.[9] In her address to the Banner of Peace hoisting ceremony to mark the Universal Day of Culture in 2011 the Speaker of Seimas of Lithuania Mrs. Irena Degutienė said that this is a day, on which "people are exchanging ideas on the fundamental values, raising and addressing fundamental questions, and the word "culture" is uttered more often than usual."[10] She specified culture "not only as the artistic and creative heritage passed on from generation to generation, but also as our level of communication, capacity of building bridges of tolerance, and the level of trust in others who have different views and profess different faith."[10]

In 2012, during Universal Day of Culture celebrations, three Lithuanian towns - Dubingiai, Rietavas and Ylakiai - were proclaimed as towns of peace, where priority of culture is implemented in all aspects of public life.[7]

Russia

In Russia the Universal Day of Culture is supported by of numerous institutions and organizations, including the Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts, The Nicholas Roerich Estate Museum in Izvara, The Union of Artists of Russia, local branches of the International League for the Protection of Culture, etc.[6] Celebrations are held annually in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Irkutsk and Berezniki. Notable Russian politicians and public figures are members of the Council of the International Movement. The members of the Russian Duma Elena Drapeko and Nikolay Rastorguyev, and the cosmonaut Aleksandr Balandin are among them.[11] The Association of Space Explorers in Russia also supported the Universal Day of Culture.[12]

Brazil

In Brazil the celebrations are organized annually by Brazilian Roerich Institute, which was established in 1999. On April 15, 2010, the 75th anniversary of the Roerich Pact, the panel "Protection and Preservation of natural treasures: the challenges to the servers of culture" was held in São Paulo. The Banner of Peace has been hoisted as well.[13]

Canada

In Canada the Universal Day of Culture is celebrated in Edmonton, Alberta since 2012. They are organized by the Alberta Banner of Peace Association, with the participation of Alberta Interscience Association and Edmonton Theosophical Society in different years.[14]

United States

In the United States of America, the Universal Day of Culture has been observed since 2023 by an annual celebration in Savannah, Tennessee. The event includes meetings with representatives from countries all around the globe, cultural performances, authentic food and craft vendors, and a parade.[15]

Philippines

In 2024 Central Mindanao Colleges in Kidapawan City joined in the commemoration of the Universal Day of Culture, stating that "Beyond mere observance, this event stands as a testament to the multifaceted richness of global cultural diversity".[16]

Romania

In Romania, the observance of the Universal Day of Culture started in 2024, with a celebration at the National Museum of Romanian Literature, attended by official representatives from the embassies of Argentina, Cuba, Greece, Mexico and Norway, and from the Liszt Institute.[17]

Other countries

The Universal Day of Culture is celebrated also in Argentina, Bulgaria, Belarus, Chile, Cuba, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Mexico and Spain.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Peace Flag raised in front of the Ministry of National Defence". Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania. April 14, 2009. Archived from the original on 2015-02-24.
  2. 1 2 Barenboim, Peter; Sidiqi, Naeem (2010). "Bruges, the Bridge Between Civilizations. To the 75th Anniversary of the Roerich Pact" (PDF). Letny Sad, Grid Belgium: 37–38. ISBN 978-5-98856-114-9.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  3. ↑ N. Roerich (September 1933). "Prayer for Peace and Culture". Indian Magazine.
  4. ↑ N. Roerich (December 2010/January 2011). "The Banner". Meditation Monthly International. Vol. XXVIII, No. 2.
  5. ↑ "Summary : [Universal Periodic Review] : Cuba / prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21". Refworld. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  6. 1 2 3 "Participants of the International Movement for the affirmation of the Universal Day of Culture under the Banner of Peace". udculture.info. Archived from the original on 2025-03-15. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  7. 1 2 Petryla, Tom (2014-11-18). "Tomas Petryla. LEU veikia fotografijų paroda „Pasaulio kultūros dienos ištakos ir dabartis"". sc.bns.lt. Archived from the original on 2015-02-26.
  8. ↑ "Resolution on the Baltic states' Culture Day" (PDF). Riga. November 24, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-27.
  9. ↑ "June 17, 2009. "ExpoCuba"". udculture.info. Archived from the original on 2025-03-15. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  10. 1 2 "Address of Mrs Irena Degutienė, Speaker of Seimas, at the Banner of Peace Hoisting Ceremony to Mark the Universal Day of Culture". www3.lrs.lt. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  11. ↑ "Попечительский Совет Международного Движения за утверждение Всемирного Дня Культуры под Знаменем Мира" [Board of Trustees of the International Movement for the Establishment of the World Day of Culture under the Banner of Peace]. udculture.info. Archived from the original on 2025-03-15. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  12. ↑ Letter from the Chair of the Association of Space Explorers V. Savinikh in support of the Universal Day of Culture. October 14, 2009.
  13. ↑ The Brazilian Roerich Institute. Activities in 2010
  14. ↑ Отбелязване на Световния ден на културата в гр. Едмънтън, Канада (Celebration of the Universal Day of Culture in Edmonton, Canada) Palitra, IV-2012/I-2013 (48-49). ISSN 1314-5002.
  15. ↑ "MIDDAY GUEST: Universal Day of Culture". WBBJ TV. 2026-04-14. Archived from the original on 2026-04-15. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  16. ↑ "Central Mindanao Colleges joins in the commemoration of the Universal Day of Culture on April 14th - CMC Central Mindanao Colleges". Central Mindanao Colleges. 2024-04-15. Archived from the original on 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  17. ↑ Universal Day of Culture, celebrated at the Museum of Romanian Literature AGERPRES, 16.04.2024.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.