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Tolstoy Peace Prize: Russia Has Right to Defend Its Values, Vision of Peace, Jury Member Says

18:50, 9 August 2024

Muhammad Nooh Osman

Writer/Editor

The Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize, a new award named after the renowned Russian author, will be awarded at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre on September 9, the writer’s birthday. It recognizes individuals or organizations that have dedicated their efforts to promoting peace, reducing the threat of nuclear war, and fostering global understanding.

Sputnik

In a world facing rising tensions and divisions, Russia has the right to defend its values and vision of peace, Vladimir Tolstoy, a member of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize jury and director of the Leo Tolstoy State Museum, told Sputnik in an interview.

"If the world today is so globally divided and has such polar points of view on the issues of war and peace, good and evil, moral and immoral, then Russia has the right to defend its position, values, and perception of what kind of people are worthy to conduct activities aimed at world peace," said the great-grandson of the famous Russian writer, considered one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time.

Reflecting on his ancestor's impact on global peace, Vladimir Tolstoy argued that "Tolstoy, by his very existence, passionate statement, it seems, did not allow large-scale absolute evil."

He highlighted Tolstoy’s belief that individuals have the power to increase kindness, a principle that he believes applies to nations as well.

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"It is human nature to strive to increase. This may be an increase in the number of rubles, paintings, horses, ranks, muscles, knowledge, but the only increase is necessary: the increase of kindness," the jury member cited one of his grandfather's popular quotations.

However, Vladimir Tolstoy acknowledged the challenge of identifying a single figure today who possesses the charisma and moral authority of Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, or Nelson Mandela. He expressed concern about the lack of strong, intelligent leadership in a world increasingly defined by superficiality.

"Today, the world has become superficial, even among political figures. We look at heads of state and ask ourselves; how can huge countries with great history and culture not find a charismatic, strong, intelligent leader with a positive agenda?" the descendant of Tolstoy questioned.

However, he noted that there are some intelligent leaders in Africa and the East that play crucial roles in maintaining a fragile balance in a world fraught with conflict.

"There are quite intelligent leaders on the African continent, for example. Africa is always in a state of war, but there are figures both there and in the East who have so far kept the balance. This is very important," he stated.