June 10, 2008 in Hamovnicheskom Moscow City Court will be decided by the question remains whether in a Moscow mansion Lopukhins International Roerich Center (MTSR) - the cultural-educational organization, founded in Russia well-known artist and public figure, Svyatoslav Roerich. From the court decision will determine the fate of the world's largest cultural organization based Roerich.

In the worst 1990 employees MTSR proved a force almost impossible: creating a public museum, they have preserved the integrity and enhance the invaluable cultural heritage of Russia - a legacy of family Roerich, whose names are included in a galaxy of outstanding figures of Russian and world culture, are the glory and pride of our people.

The current situation with MTSR stated in open letter to representatives of the Russian public, science and culture April 10, 2008.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin
elected President of Russian Federation DA Medvedev
Chairman of Government of the Russian Federation VA Zubkov
Chairman of the RF Federation Council SM Mironov
Chairman of Russian State Duma Boris V. Gryzlov
Moscow Mayor Yuri M. Luzhkov

OPEN LETTER

of science, culture and public figures of Russia in defense of the International Roerich Center and Public Museum of N. Roerich

We are writing to you in connection with the tragic situation surrounding the International Roerich Center (hereinafter MTSR), located in a Moscow mansion Lopukhins. Currently MTSR facing eviction from the estate, which will lead to the destruction of its public museum named Nikolai Roerich, a representative of the last great family - Svyatoslav Nikolayevich Roerich. This effect would be violated his obligation to the state data.

prerequisites SN Roerich to donate the priceless heritage of Russia in Moscow was to create a non-governmental Center-Museum of N. Roerich and placing it in the estate Lopukhins. Their commitments enshrined in the country's leadership of the documents (Decree of the USSR Council of Ministers of 4. 11. 1989, number 950 and the decision of the Board Mossovet of 28. 11. 1989, number 2248). Upon being satisfied that these commitments are made to him, SN Roerich in 1990, transferred to Russia from India, the legacy of their parents, N. Roerich, and of Helena Roerich, which he subsequently bequeathed the International Roerich Center. Despite a long stay away from the homeland, Roerichs Russia has always sought to convey the accumulated creative achievements. SN Roerich, fulfilling the will of the holy parents, conveyed in the person of Russia International Center Roerich family heritage with a commitment to create a public museum of N. Roerich. MTSR this museum was created. Currently, he is known in the world of cultural and educational center.

In the restored rooms of mansions Lopukhins a brilliant exposition, which is due to patron constantly updated with new canvases Roerich. In Russia and abroad are traveling exhibition of paintings Roerich Museum of funds, conducted scientific work on a unique family archive, obtained in the composition of the heritage. In the halls of the museum each year are international conferences, with a wide range of scientists and public figures, a vast research library. International Roerich Center publishes a book of family heritage Roerichs, periodical «Culture and Time», the award-plaques «Golden Fund of Russian press - 2008», produces films about the life and work of Roerich, organizes monthly exhibitions of contemporary artists, music and science and popular lectures.

Over the years, without federal and municipal funding, earned by employees MTSR and people's donations, the International Center Roerichs literally from the ruins restored and renovated mansion Lopukhins - monument XVII-XIX centuries.

The International Roerich Center in the preservation of native culture Russia was highly appreciated by policy makers and the public. In 2006, a decree of President Vladimir Putin for his great contribution to the development of museology and the preservation of the cultural heritage of First Vice-President MTSR, general director of the Museum of N. Roerich L. Shaposhnikova was awarded the «Order of Friendship».

In 2007, for his merits in the preservation, revitalization and promotion of farmstead Lopukhins L. Shaposhnikova was awarded the National Prize of «Cultural heritage» in nomination «Restorer».

Unfortunately, the 15-year history of the Public Museum of S. Roerich, repeatedly attempted to destroy. So, after a few months after the death of Svyatoslav Roerich was issued by Decree of the Government of Russian Federation № 1121 of 4. 11. In 1993, according to which the museum had to stop their activities in the estate Lopukhins. In its place were required to create the National Museum of N. Roerich as a branch of the State Museum of the East. Ordinance violated the will of the donor and the obligations of the State, the SN Roerich, on the establishment and maintenance of the estate Lopukhins non-State Museum of N. Roerich. For 15 years, none of the paragraphs of the document has not been implemented. Nevertheless, some officials, particularly the head of the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography Mikhail E. Shvydkoi, trying to revive it is obviously impossible ordinance.

Now in the Court of Arbitration Moscow considered the claim of Federal Agency for Federal Property Management to MTSR to evict him from the manor Lopukhins. Addressing this claim would be an illegal act aimed at the destruction of the Museum of N. Roerich, denial of the last will of our great compatriot, cause irreparable damage to the national culture and damage the prestige of Russia in the world. This should not be allowed.

We appeal to the leadership of Russia and Moscow with a request to prevent an illegal eviction International Roerich Center of the manor Lopukhins and create a safe environment for its future work and development. For this purpose, please refer estate Lopukhins International Roerich Center for free and unlimited use. This would eliminate any attempts to destroy public Center-Museum of N. Roerich in the future.

We hope that our appeal will be heard. Without your intervention generally hotbed of culture and education, created in accordance with the will and testament family Roerich Svyatoslav Roerich could be ruined and destroyed.

Only you can stop the destruction of a precious asset of the Museum of N. Roerich.

Aksenova Alice I. - the general director of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve, twice winner of the State Prize of Russia, winner of the President of Russia

Aparina Alevtina V. - Member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation

Afanassiev Victor M. - President of the International League for the Defense of Culture, pilot-cosmonaut of the Soviet Union

Evgeny Pavlovich Velikhov - Secretary of the Public Chamber of Russian Federation, President of the Russian Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», the winner of the Lenin Prize and USSR State Prize

Golovkina Ludmila - Director, Art Gallery of the City of Yaroslavl Region DANILOVA

Janibekov Vladimir - twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Major General Aviation pilot-cosmonaut of the Soviet Union

Drapeko Elena G. - First Deputy Chairman of the Culture Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation

Egorov Victor A. - the general director of the «Dialogue-Conversion», Cand. sciences, director of the Museum of Modern Sport, honored master of sports, the coach of the USSR climbing

Izvekov Vladimir - Director of the Museum of History of the City of Yaroslavl

Anatoly Karpov, E. - President of the International Association of Peace Foundations, a multiple world champion in chess

Krainov Nikolai Petrovich - Director of Sport «Youth», from 1981 to 1985. - President of the Federation of climbing USSR Master of Sports of the USSR, the champion of the Soviet Union on climbing

Kuznetsov Oleg - President of Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Professor, State Prize Laureate of USSR

Maksakova Lyudmila - actress State Academic Theater Evg. Vakhtangov, People's Artist of Russia, laureate of State Prize of the Russian Federation

Malanicheva Galina - President of the Central Council of the All-Russian public organization «All-Russian Society for the Protection of Monuments of History and Culture», member of the Council for Culture and the Arts under the President of Russia

Myslovsky Edward Vikentyevich - Professor MGTU them. Bauman, head. Chair «Design and technology of radio-electronic means» in the Moscow State Academy of Instrument Engineering and Computer Science, president of Euro-Asian Association of Mountaineering and Climbing

Nikolai Petrov Arnoldovich - President of the Academy of Russian Art, People's Artist of USSR

Press Tamara Natanovna - a member of the Council for Physical Culture and Sports under the President of Russia, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Olympic champions at Rossporte, Ph.D. ped. Sciences, Associate Professor

Selezneva Ekaterina - President of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Russia)

Vladimir Spivakov Teodorovich - President of the Moscow International Music House, artistic director and chief conductor of the National Orchestra of Russia

Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov - artistic director of his Moscow Arts Theater. Chekhov and the Moscow Theater-Studio «Snuffbox», member of the Council for Culture and the Arts under the President of Russia, People's Artist of USSR, laureate of State Prizes of USSR and Russia, twice the winner of National Prize of «Golden Mask»

Filatov Sergey - President of the Foundation for Socio-economic and intellectual programs, the president of the Congress of Russian Intelligentsia

Челышев Eugene P. - academician, prize recipient. J. Nehru, the winner of the Demidov Prize

Chukov Vladimir - Director, Center for the expedition «Arctic», a full member of Russian Geographical Society, the master of sports of international class, Honored Master of Sports

Viewpoint Leonid M. Roshal - head of emergency surgery of the Research Institute of Pediatrics Health Science Center, Children RAMS: «I think the elimination of the International Roerich Center and Public Museum of N. Roerich immoral».

Member of the Public Chamber of Russia LM Roshal

Letter signed by over 900 people, and signatures are continuing.

On whose side will face the court?

Source: www.museum.ru , www.novayagazeta.ru