By María Victoria Alcaraz
CULTURE AND ASPIRATION FOR STRENGTHENING PEACE
As a historian and cultural manager, I have repeatedly asked myself: What is peace? How can we define it in a clear and comprehensive way?
What is an individual’s inner peace? Is it a collective and social stage? Is there a subjective and an objective peace? Is history a “Corsi e ricorsi” between war and peace? Is it necessary to know war to value peace?
It is easier to define the opposite; the war, with its sequel of extreme violence in “The confrontation between who opposing wills”, although I strongly refuse to consider history only as a universal chronology of war tragedy.
There are other ways to approach historical facts. From the perspective of progress, of culture, of resilience loaded with heroism in the tenacious struggle of peoples for freedom and justice. Peace is an ethical and vital hope that opposes violence and injustice.
Peace is fertile for the well-being and development of peoples. It has at its core the creative impetus of the human being. That is why in the field of culture, peace and freedom are inexorably united to create aesthetic beauty embracing universal fraternity.
Aristotle was categorical: “It is not enough to win the war, it is more important to ensure peace…”. As Mahatma Gandhi would say, “There is no way to peace, peace is the way…”. The Hindu leader, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who had received a notable influence from Lev Tolstoy, author of transcendent historical novels of the late 19th century. The great Russian writer had led an eventful life.
He knew the atrocity of war, having enlisted voluntarily, with his brother, in the Russian army, in the Crimean War. He knew war, he loved peace.
In his maturity he developed a deeply philosophical critical thinking, reflecting on the future of humanity, love, peace and fraternal solidarity towards others. In his search for truth he was a tireless reader. During his trip through Europe he met the Frenchman Victor Hugo and was moved by his novel “Les Miserables”. Like Hugo, the Russian writer Nikolai Gogol opened for him new directions of research that were consolidated with his two monumental historical novels of worldwide impact: “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina”.
In both works of Tolstoy, written with neat and plain language, he unfolds with remarkable historical accuracy and literary beauty, the horrors of war and the flagellum of its action. He also reflects on peace, individual and collective happiness, love for one’s neighbor and fraternity among peoples.
These are some examples of how art plays a key role in peace building, as it is a powerful way to express emotions, tell stories and make visible realities that might otherwise be silenced. Through various art forms, such as literature, music, film and the visual arts, spaces for reflection, empathy and connection between people from different backgrounds can be created. In complex situations, cultural management takes on great relevance, as it facilitates the organization of and access to these spaces for containment and reflection, promoting processes of integration and mutual understanding. Culture, as a whole, acts as a way to consolidate peace, as it encourages values such as respect for diversity, intercultural dialogue, social coexistence, etc.
The Tolstoy Peace Prize, clearly aligned with the great ethical values of a global culture of peace, demonstrates how art and culture are tools for transforming realities in every corner of the world. In an increasingly interconnected world, it promotes the idea that peace is not a concept isolated to one region or nation, but a universal principle that must be shared by all. By highlighting efforts that promote international understanding and cooperation, the Prize underlines the importance of humanitarian values in building the present and the future. At the same time, it invites us to reflect on how we can continue to advance step by step and with enormous effort towards a global society based on peace, justice and mutual respect. It is a tribute to the ideas of Tolstoy, whose vision continues to inspire those who, through their actions and thinking, work tirelessly for a more equitable world. It is an honor to have been invited to join a group of world references willing to make their contribution and join efforts to strengthen trust, mutual understanding among peoples and the world peace in which we all aspire to live.
CULTURE AND ASPIRATION FOR STRENGTHENING PEACE
As a historian and cultural manager, I have repeatedly asked myself: What is peace? How can we define it in a clear and comprehensive way?
What is an individual’s inner peace? Is it a collective and social stage? Is there a subjective and an objective peace? Is history a “Corsi e ricorsi” between war and peace? Is it necessary to know war to value peace?
It is easier to define the opposite; the war, with its sequel of extreme violence in “The confrontation between who opposing wills”, although I strongly refuse to consider history only as a universal chronology of war tragedy.
There are other ways to approach historical facts. From the perspective of progress, of culture, of resilience loaded with heroism in the tenacious struggle of peoples for freedom and justice. Peace is an ethical and vital hope that opposes violence and injustice.
Peace is fertile for the well-being and development of peoples. It has at its core the creative impetus of the human being. That is why in the field of culture, peace and freedom are inexorably united to create aesthetic beauty embracing universal fraternity.
Aristotle was categorical: “It is not enough to win the war, it is more important to ensure peace…”. As Mahatma Gandhi would say, “There is no way to peace, peace is the way…”. The Hindu leader, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who had received a notable influence from Lev Tolstoy, author of transcendent historical novels of the late 19th century. The great Russian writer had led an eventful life.
He knew the atrocity of war, having enlisted voluntarily, with his brother, in the Russian army, in the Crimean War. He knew war, he loved peace.
In his maturity he developed a deeply philosophical critical thinking, reflecting on the future of humanity, love, peace and fraternal solidarity towards others. In his search for truth he was a tireless reader. During his trip through Europe he met the Frenchman Victor Hugo and was moved by his novel “Les Miserables”. Like Hugo, the Russian writer Nikolai Gogol opened for him new directions of research that were consolidated with his two monumental historical novels of worldwide impact: “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina”.
In both works of Tolstoy, written with neat and plain language, he unfolds with remarkable historical accuracy and literary beauty, the horrors of war and the flagellum of its action. He also reflects on peace, individual and collective happiness, love for one’s neighbor and fraternity among peoples.
These are some examples of how art plays a key role in peace building, as it is a powerful way to express emotions, tell stories and make visible realities that might otherwise be silenced. Through various art forms, such as literature, music, film and the visual arts, spaces for reflection, empathy and connection between people from different backgrounds can be created. In complex situations, cultural management takes on great relevance, as it facilitates the organization of and access to these spaces for containment and reflection, promoting processes of integration and mutual understanding. Culture, as a whole, acts as a way to consolidate peace, as it encourages values such as respect for diversity, intercultural dialogue, social coexistence, etc.
The Tolstoy Peace Prize, clearly aligned with the great ethical values of a global culture of peace, demonstrates how art and culture are tools for transforming realities in every corner of the world. In an increasingly interconnected world, it promotes the idea that peace is not a concept isolated to one region or nation, but a universal principle that must be shared by all. By highlighting efforts that promote international understanding and cooperation, the Prize underlines the importance of humanitarian values in building the present and the future. At the same time, it invites us to reflect on how we can continue to advance step by step and with enormous effort towards a global society based on peace, justice and mutual respect. It is a tribute to the ideas of Tolstoy, whose vision continues to inspire those who, through their actions and thinking, work tirelessly for a more equitable world. It is an honor to have been invited to join a group of world references willing to make their contribution and join efforts to strengthen trust, mutual understanding among peoples and the world peace in which we all aspire to live.