Museum-estate of N. To. Roerich in Izvara was opened on 19 June 1984. The story of its creation is closely linked with the return of the eldest son of N. To. Roerich, Yu. Roerich, the tibetologist and sinologist, in Russia. He brought pictures of his father, his books that were published abroad, literary works. The artist's work has been enthusiastically adopted Homeland.
Interest in the work and life of N. To. Roerich drew the attention of the cultural community to the village of Izvara, where the Roerich estate of the parents, where he grew up and began his career. Do fans Roerich had a desire to preserve the memory of an outstanding artist, creating a memorial Museum-estate in Izvara.
In 1974, the year of the centennial anniversary of the birth of the artist, began the restoration house manor in Izvara. The restoration project carried out under the guidance of architect A. E. Ekka, was supposed to recreate the manor house, the whole manor and historic Park. Restoration works were completed by early 1978. But the Directorate of the Union of museums of Leningrad region has refused the plan of creation of the Museum by reason of its remoteness from Leningrad and tourist and excursion routes. The manor house was occupied and the village hall and library, and art school.
In 1979 he established the Organizational Council of the Roerich Museum, which was headed by D. S. Likhachev. Only through the efforts and participation of many people in the fate of the Museum in Izvara many artificially created and objective difficulties were overcome. In June 1984, the opening of the exhibition under the name "N. To. Roerich in Izvara" in two rooms of the manor house of the Roerichs. Thus, in a solemn ceremony was opened the Museum of N. To. Roerich in Izvara.
In 1988 the program was prepared, and the conditions of carrying out of open competition on development of the preliminary project of Science and cultural arts centre in the estate of N. To. Roerich.
After the liberation of the greater part of the premises of the manor house in 1991 by the village Council, the Museum has been able to expand its exposition, exhibition and educational work. The Museum issued a new exhibition, memorial exhibition halls. The Museum, in addition to the manor house, passed over time and other estate buildings. In 1997 at the Roerich Museum has secured the territory in 58, 8 hectares. This area represents only a part of the former estate, but despite this it retains the features of the natural landscape beloved of Izvara N. To. Roerich. In the atmosphere of the old manor allow you to plunge and the old manor Park, and part of the forest, and the system spring lakes, and the source of the river Svarka, and romantic "love Alley", and lake wilderness, which connect together the natural and human creativity.
In 1990 the Museum was organized by the cultural-ecological camp "Izvorski meetings", attended by people aged 14 to 60 years from different parts of the country who worked together in the Museum-estate, organized the days of culture of their republics. One of these people was formed the backbone of the friends and Museum staff. By 1993 work began on the restoration of the mansion garden.
Of particular importance throughout the history of the Museum had to work with children. Children participated in planting trees, archaeological excavations in the estate, took part in the annual celebrations of the "Light of heart" in Izvara. Since 2002, it also organizes school expeditions aimed at studying the monuments of nature and history, children's ecological camp.
Museum-estate of Nicholas Roerich actively cooperates with SPb SU in the study and inventory of cultural and natural heritage on the territory of Izvara and Volosovsky district; environmental studies; development of cultural, educational, and ecological forms of tourism. The Museum collaborates with leading scientists of St. Petersburg and Leningrad region. The Museum hosts an exhibition of paintings by N. To. Roerich from private collections and museums of St. Petersburg. Traditional estate Museum exhibition of works by sculptors, painters and photographers.
In the good tradition of Museum – festival devoted to Russian-Indian relations, creative meetings "the living Museum", screenings of new films, round tables, seminars and conferences, music, poetry evenings.
In 2006, thanks to the efforts of the Museum Surskoe rural settlement was included in the International programme "Baltic XXI", which aims to address social and demographic problems of rural areas.
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