Who was Nicholas Roerich?

Nicholas Roerich (1874 — 1947) was a Russian painter and explorer who dedicated his life to the ideas of culture, peace and the preservation of humanity’s spiritual heritage. He traveled widely across Asia, created hundreds of artworks, wrote philosophical texts and promoted international cultural cooperation.

The Roerich Pact (1935) was the first international pact aimed at protecting cultural property during armed conflicts. It established a key principle: cultural objects and institutions must be safeguarded regardless of whose territory they are on. Its symbol is the Banner of Peace, three red circles within a ring, representing the past, present and future of culture.