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General Worldwide 9/14

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January 16, 1954 • July 26, 2014 Sergei O. Prokofieff† After three years of serious illness, Sergei Prokofieff crossed the threshold of in September 2014 the early morning hours of July 26, 2014—only one day before more than 300 members No. 9 of the School for Spiritual were to meet at the for a week-long Anthroposophical Society opportunity to deepen their work with the School (in English and German). 1 Sergei O. Prokofieff † ntensive work with the mantras of the 2 Memorial Address by IFirst Class (the subject of the last major 15 Members Who Have Died work he completed) coincided in a special way with the commemoration of Sergei Goetheanum Prokofieff’s life. On July 29 a throng of 12 Exhibition Space: No Remodeling several hundred people passed by his coffin 12 Large Stage: Ceremony and Preview in the Carpentry Building where there was scarcely enough room for the many Anthroposophy in the World who attended 12 Turkey I: Course in Selçuk committal service at 2:00 p.m. European (Ephesus) General Secretaries, representatives of 13 Turkey II: Anthroposophy at the the anthroposophical movement, and Istanbul Children and Youth Art Erzoberlenker Vicke von Behr came to the Biennial Goetheanum for the service. A written 13 Turkey III: Performance version of Peter Selg’s eulogy can be 14 China: 10 Years of the Chengdu found in this issue. A memorial in the Waldorf School Foundation Stone Hall rounded out this 14 Italy: ’s Works in intensive week on August 2; it included Industrialist Adriano Ollivetti’s personal recollections by members of Anna Krygier Photo: Memorial picture at the door to the Carpentry Library the Executive Council and friends in the Hall: Sergei O. Prokofieff Feature Anthroposophical Society as well as artistic contributions. in their forties. This Executive 16 Performance of Scenes from Rudolf Council community (together with the Steiner’s First Mystery Drama in Difficult Years at the Start Collegium of the School) had to confront Japanese of the 21st Century the difficult years at the start of the 21st Sergei Prokofieff’s acceptance of century, years marked outwardly by the emeritus status in 2013 and his death failed attempt at a new constitution, legal mark the end of a particular human challenges, and financial worries, but also constellation in the leadership of the by many challenges to the operation of Anthroposophical Society. It was one the Goetheanum itself—alterations in that began when Manfred Schmidt- the stage, changes in the Sections, and Brabant initiated an invitation to much more. The Executive Council and Sergei Prokofieff, Bodo von , and the Collegium of the School often held Cornelius Pietzner to join the Executive differing viewpoints about how these Council, thereby doubling the number of developments would take place and where members in 2001/2002 (Virginia Sease, they would lead. Although very little Heinz Zimmermann, and Paul Mackay of that was outwardly visible, it clearly were already members). In a certain way hindered the effect of the Goetheanum in this brought into the Executive Council a the world. representative from the East, one from the West, and one from the Middle—younger Continued on page 2 2 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

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Continued from page 1 Memorial Address Held in the Goetheanum Carpentry Building, July 29, 2014

Sergei Prokofieff participated in all Sergei O. Prokofieff’s Life Work these processes, lengthy discussions, and difficult decisions leading up to Dear Friends, and his colleagues! the serious financial turning point in ergei Prokofieff asked me to offer an 2010—even though he was principally Sappraisal of his work and its intent On Christology concerned with the work of Rudolf during his funeral service. I will try to In 2011 (during the first year of his illness) Steiner. During the newly instituted comply with his wish by offering this Sergei Prokofieff’s significant work on the seven-year vote for members of the incomplete sketch. Representative of Humanity —Rudolf Executive Council (and a no-confidence Three decades before Sergei Prokofieff Steiner’s Sculptural Group, A Revelation of motion) in 2011 he emerged with more was born, Rudolf Steiner held his lectures the Spiritual Purpose of Humanity and the votes than the others—and he felt this on the Book of Revelation in the room where Earth—was published. I can still see the to be a confirmation of his efforts. He we are today. In the lecture of September draft of the book’s dust jacket as it lay on became seriously ill shortly after Easter, 12, 1924 he noted: “If we, as perceptive the table beside his sick bed in the 2011, and—no longer a participant human beings who can interpret the signs clinic where he had undergone surgery. In in the discussions and decisions—he of the time, establish our lives in the this work Sergei Prokofieff demonstrated took an increasingly critical view of of these three Mysteries of our time—the how one of Rudolf Steiner’s “fundamental developments at the Goetheanum. Mystery, the Christ Mystery, and tasks” was to bring to the earth an image He made this unmistakably clear in his the Sorat Mystery—we will work correctly of the Christ that was “true to ” last address in the Great Hall on March in the realms assigned us by our and how it had been created through 30, 2012, during the remembrance […].” In September 1924 Rudolf Steiner the intuitive connection between Rudolf for Rudolf Steiner held as part of the invited the members of the esoteric Steiner’s own I-being and the Christ-being. Annual General Meeting. The sense of Executive Council and the members of Sergei Prokofieff also presented significant responsibility for the Society he shared the priesthood to the course on the Book spiritual discoveries about the , with the entire Executive Council could of Revelation and held these lectures for involving the “etherization of the blood,” be clearly sensed in the course of two them. Obviously Sergei Prokofieff did not the “cosmic source of healing forces,” as later conversations with them—but it become a priest in the movement for well as evil’s battle for the human heart. was destined to be too late to allow for a religious renewal, but he belonged—and In conversation, Sergei Prokofieff new beginning. | Justus Wittich belongs—to the esoteric Executive Council indicated that he only rarely sought out of the Anthroposophical Society. Sergei a direct encounter with Rudolf Steiner’s Prokofieff was a “perceptive human being” atelier and the Christ statue in the who knew how to interpret the “signs of Goetheanum because the impressions he the time,” and who established his life in had there were so strong that their effect the sense of these three Mysteries. He endured in him for weeks and months. Anthroposophy Worldwide appears made endless as a result. Nevertheless, until just before his death, ten times a year, is distributed by the he hoped to find once again the strength national Anthroposophical Societies, and Sacrificial Devotion to visit these places—which did not come appears as a supplement to the weekly One week before the lecture just cited, to pass. He did, however, ask at the very Das Goetheanum. • Publisher: General Rudolf Steiner also emphasized in this end that Rudolf Steiner’s bust of the head Anthroposophical Society, represented by Justus Wittich.• Editorial staff: Sebastian room: “Something like what took place of Christ be brought to his death room. Jüngel (responsible for the German edition); in the old Mysteries must come again, In 2012, the second year of his illness, Marguerite Miller & Douglas Miller (for the something referred to as the sacrificial his 600-page work And the Earth Becomes English edition); Michael Kranawetvogl (for devotion of the whole human being, as the Sun. On the Mystery of the Resurrection the Spanish edition); Wolfgang Held, Philipp total immersion of the human being in his appeared in print. It encompasses a wealth Tok. We seek your active support and task.” Throughout his life, Sergei Prokofieff of new insights on the resurrection body collaboration. Contact: Wochenschrift worked for anthroposophy with just this of the Christ, the Sun mystery of the Last Das Goetheanum, Postfach, CH–4143 attitude—even doing so during the more Supper, the esoteric meaning of the Grail 1, ; fax +41 (0)61 706 than three final years of his terminal blood, the awakening of Lazarus, the 44 65; [email protected]. To receive illness. With “courage of knowledge” cosmic destiny of evil, and Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy Worldwide, apply to the Anthroposophical Society in your country, and with “fire of knowledge” he worked relationship to the Nathan . or subscriptions are available for CHF 30.– creatively; and, as intended by Rudolf (€ 25.–) a year from the address above. An Steiner, he immersed his “whole being”in In Touch with Current Events e-mail version is available to members of his task. We need only consider the During the last three years, despite the Anthroposophical Society only at: www. brilliant, even ultimate works he created increasing physical weakness, Sergei goetheanum.org/630.html?L=1. © 2014 General Anthroposophical Society, Dornach, during this last period, elaborations of Prokofieff also continued to work Switzerland. anthroposophy of the sort Rudolf Steiner intensively on other themes where had so ardently hoped for from his pupils Christology was not the primary focus. He Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14 | 3

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prepared new editions of his earlier works Steiner says that we human beings must of human beholding in the attempt to on Demetrius and the spiritual tasks of learn to work with Michael in the future. express in words what is revealed there to Central and Eastern Europe, and kept His last address on September 28, 1924, the gaze of the soul.” While he was working abreast of current events. To someone who was an address about Michael given on his book Sergei Prokofieff experienced had never spoken with him before about to Michaelites; and Sergei Prokofieff that feeling as well. But in the end he came politics, his geopolitical understanding, delivered his unforgettable lecture on to the conclusion that he should publish knowledge, and interest were astounding Michael and the Michael- his insights. In the foreword he writes the and staggering. Just a few days before his (that led to his book) on May 8, 2011, just briefest of indications that it was penned death he spoke in detail not only about after he had come from the under “conditions that were not simple,” events in Ukraine but about what was Clinic in where shortly before he and he calls it “the very beginnings of the happening in Iraq, Iran, and Palestine— had received the diagnosis of his terminal General Anthroposophical Section.” which made evident that in his biography illness. (had he chosen to) he might have used Rudolf Steiner his spiritual forces to handle themes and The First Class In witnessing how Sergei Prokofieff tasks that were completely different from And finally his new book about the First committed the last of his forces—with the ones he had pursued. He had, however, Class! You all know that in 2009 Sergei diminishing bodily strength— to create chosen the spiritual science of Rudolf Prokofieff produced his great study on this more-than-400-page book, it would Steiner. The First Class of the Michael School and be hard to find the words or concepts During his illness he wrote a significant Its Christological Foundations—a book needed to describe what took place. When new preface and afterword to his book The about the path through the 19 First Class everything was finally completed he felt Spiritual Tasks of Central and Eastern Europe lessons that lead to a true perspective on an enormous relief—and then dictated concerning the development of a true the human I, a perspective that allows the yet another wonderful study on Rudolf relationship to the “folk ,” the future I to appear in ever-greater clarity. There are Steiner’s human path of destiny, the path of Central Europe, and the destiny shared also profound research results concerning of his spiritual entity through the millennia with the European East in the preparation the “Guardian of the Threshold” and of various cultural epochs. According to of the next cultural epoch that is to begin in other matters. Many people—the world Sergei Prokofieff, “Today—more than ever approximately 1,500 years. How infinitely over—have remarked during the last before—we need Rudolf Steiner’s help and endangered are these developments years that this publication is not only a support.” today—and how significant are Sergei singular work of research of the School for With Astrid Prokofieff (who read his text Prokofieff’s works that also shed a whole Spiritual Science but also offers substance to him one last time so that he might edit new light on Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual for working with the First Class that will it) he worked on it until the end and was engagement during the First World War! endure for centuries. But Sergei Prokofieff able to complete it. The final corrections Up to the end, how very important to went further. One day there arose in on the book about the First Class were Sergei Prokofieff were questions regarding him in a spiritual perspective that the 19 extremely difficult for him—like physical a true relationship to the German “folk Lessons not only bring the transformation work in the physical world—even though, spirit”—to a “folk spirit” and a “folk soul” of human towards “Christ as always, his secretary Ute Fischer related in a peculiar unique breathing consciousness” but they also stand in a supported him in it. But the study about motion and only “incarnate” in particular tangible relationship to the Fifth . Rudolf Steiner represented pure joy for times. This means that special tasks as When intensely meditated, the mantras him. “With what else should we close this well as dangers (in their “absence”) arise in of the First Class are a consciousness-key life?” he said to me, smiling—physically connection with them. to opening the content of the Fifth Gospel emaciated but with radiant eyes. That and they lead deep into the - and was the culmination of his spiritual work The Michael Mystery Christ-Mystery. and his life—the “immersion of the whole During the last part of his life Sergei After 35 years of ongoing daily human being in his task.” Prokofieff succeeded in finishing his major, of the First Class mantras (even completely new book on the Michael during the course of his illness), Sergei Moscow Mystery for which he had basically done Prokofieff was himself astonished by what Today, however, we must ask ourselves the preliminary work over the course of his he was able to work out in addition. For a about the extraordinary forces of spirit life. Never before had a pupil and colleague long time he was uncertain about whether and will with which Sergei Prokofieff was of Rudolf Steiner worked out something the connections that had been revealed in actually able to accomplish all this. We so penetrating and encompassing on this way should actually be disseminated. heard in the picture of his life offered the various facets and activities of the During his second lecture on the Fifth during the funeral about his difficult Michael-being. How connected he was to Gospel in Oslo on October 2, 1913, Rudolf incarnation in Moscow during January this theme of the leading Sun-archangel Steiner had said: “Only with a sacred 1954—nine years after the end of the who is related much more strongly than reticence can one decide to talk about Second World War, and in the midst of a the other archangels to the aim of human these things. One might speak of being totalitarian political regime. For this life —because he is the face of practically overwhelmed by an awareness Sergei Prokofieff found or sought a highly Christ and represents His forces! Rudolf of treading on the most sacred ground gifted, cultured family with illustrious 4 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

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capacities, extensive , and by the spirit of our time.“ Prokofieff and the eminent a lofty, even quite lofty, artistic level. That book became a guide Russian poetess, Sofia Nonetheless it is also true that his beloved and a helper for him on Prokofieva, his mother. grandmother Lina suffered for a long time the inner path he pursued Among other things, she in Stalin’s camps and, like many other with utter consistency, wrote: “In the world of friends and acquaintances, lived under an even though he seldom if poetry I know of no other oppressive regime. Later Sergei Prokofieff ever spoke about it. instance in which such a would reveal the underlying character In the Voloschin home powerful poetic revelation of this regime in his study of the “Sorat he also read Rudolf was born from a soul in Mystery” and the Sorat forces that brought Steiner’s Science, An such a short time.” Sergei to power National Socialism in Outline in French. There Prokofieff once told me and Bolshevism, Leninism, and Stalinism in he encountered the Rose how sad he was when in Russia—and led both peoples away from Cross meditation—which his nineteenth year the their tasks. Indeed, these forces actually shook him deeply– as well poetic inspiration that turned these tasks into their opposite— as the Christ-being at the Sergei O. Prokofieff: had accompanied him for with consequences that we still have to mid-point of cosmic and The Mystic Fire of the Soul. such a long time suddenly bear and will continue to bear. human evolution. This Early Poems. Moscow 2013 ceased. He was distraught. moved him profoundly: The voice of the verses The Path to Anthroposophy “Everything Rudolf Steiner spoke of here went silent although he briefly tried to The incarnation in this time was was already known to me, but I was unable continue writing. Then, around the time especially difficult for Sergei Prokofieff to express it in before then. of his first node, he decided out of in view of the task his individuality had What had lived in my soul as a general, the most profound depths of his soul not set for him during the second half of the undefined feeling was now penetrated only to read the writings of Rudolf Steiner 20th century and the beginning of the 21st by a conscious clarity of .” Sergei but also to choose anthroposophy as the century. In early childhood it was already Prokofieff had a rich inner life that was central task of his life and his destiny. connected with a deep loneliness and almost completely hidden from those With this, his biography changed: “Only painful experiences. In the biographical in his immediate surroundings at that when the decision had been made and I sketch given by Rolf Herzog of the time, and he had an intense adolescence experienced with full force that my life had Christian Community we heard that Sergei of spiritual seeking that included many received new meaning and purpose was I Prokofieff kept secret his inner connection mystical experiences. led out of my original lonely condition with the spiritual world; that as a child he by the guidance of my destiny—I was never had the impression that this was Youthful Poetry taking the first steps to serve those ideals his first time on the earth; and that, in the In the years between 1971 and 1973, consciously which had previously lived middle of childhood (in his ninth year) he when he was 17 to 19 years old, he wrote below the surface in my soul and which rediscovered esoteric through extraordinary poetry about the path out now had become for me fully conscious the Parzival story which was read aloud to of the darkness and into the light, about reality thanks to spiritual science.” him from the libretto of Wagner’s opera by spiritual battles and apocalyptic events, his grandfather Leonid Feinberg. But how doing so with profound honesty and Demands of Spiritual Science and where could one connect to it in the dramatic inner force. “I was awakened in At the home of the Voloschins in present time? the night by the powerful inspiration, as the summer of 1973 Sergei Prokofieff We heard as well of the significance though awakened by the verses themselves. encountered for the first time a young Max Voloschin’s home in the Crimea had I rushed to my desk in order to capture the anthroposophist—Slava Ivonin. The for Sergei Prokofieff. From the age of 14 poetic words and images quickly—often poetic inspiration had gone silent about he was able to be a guest in this house putting on paper a poem that had arisen three months before—and doubtless during his vacations, and there he found fully formed in me—frequently more than made way for that strong knowledge- books by Rudolf Steiner in Voloschin’s one; it was as if they themselves were based recognition of the spiritual world comprehensive library. He set out to striving and streaming towards the page. that Sergei Prokofieff identified as read these in quietude and seclusion, but They were the poems of a ‘soul on fire.’” anthroposophy until the very last day also in spiritual loneliness—beginning These poems had remained hidden in a of his life on earth. Matters of the soul, with Knowledge of Higher Worlds and Its cupboard in his parent’s Moscow home— artistic matters, had temporarily receded. Attainment which brought him the long he had shown them to no one when they It now became a matter of acquiring a hoped-for answer to his fundamental were written—until he rediscovered them sense-free thinking by means of an inner question about in there on a visit during his illness. He decided schooling. Renunciation was part of this— the present time. “Although the name of to publish them; they were published last and Sergei Prokofieff later willingly set Christ was hardly mentioned in the book, it year by a non-anthroposophical press in aside his great artistic talents in order to was clear to me from my first reading of it Moscow in a splendid volume of more allow all his power for spiritual scientific that I had in my hands a description of the than 400 pages entitled The Mystic Fire of work and research in the narrower sense path of the human soul to the Christ, given the Soul. It contains forewords by Sergei to come to the fore. Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14 | 5

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In our last conversation just before 1923/24, and about his own covenant Not only did the show his death, he told me that he would have with the spiritual world. In the spirit of itself to me in that moment as the only dearly loved to have worked out something the Arnheim lectures Sergei Prokofieff possible bearer of the wealth of wisdom on Goethe’s Faust and Rudolf Steiner’s intensified his decision for anthroposophy in the new Christian esotericism but Mystery Dramas. He also carried in his so that it became an inner “promise” the content of the Foundation Stone soul a significant draft of a “story” about (“the first conscious solemn promise of Meditation appeared before my soul in all an encounter between Rembrandt and my life”), and he took up anthroposophy its cosmic-earthly power as well. […] From Christian Rosenkreutz, details of which with increased resolve. It quickly became a spiritual perspective, I felt […] with my he revealed from time to time. Sergei evident to him that anthroposophy was whole soul that there was only a single Prokofieff’s poetic capacity—indeed, his not merely an accumulation of and work composed in human language that whole artistic way of being, essentially perspectives but was instead a being of could be placed alongside the Foundation a soul way of being—was not evident to the supersensible world—that “living Stone Meditation: the Gospel of John, or many people who “only” knew his lectures being” about which Rudolf Steiner said in more precisely, its prologue and Christ- and the clarity of thought in his written 1923 that it “moves invisibly among us” Jesus’ words of farewell. From the work. and that we must in turn respond to it with beginning it was clear to me that the one After his first “moon node” and the a feeling of “accountability.” had originated from the same source as decision to place his own life in service Sergei Prokofieff studied Rudolf the other, that they arose from the divine to anthroposophy, the hand of destiny Steiner’s writings and lectures with his sphere of the Cosmic Logos, encompassing led Sergei Prokofieff not only to his first characteristic thorough-going strength of all worlds—from the direct revelation of anthroposophical friends and freed him, will and a spiritual/intellectual capacity the living Christ.” in part, from his “original condition of that was capable of analysis as well as large- Sergei Prokofieff experienced loneliness,” but to Ukraine as well, where scale synthesis; and he worked intensively something that became ever clearer to he was able to borrow some of Rudolf on inner schooling. His understanding of him in the years that followed: John, the Steiner’s lecture courses from a translator. anthroposophy was by no means merely author of the Gospel that bears his name He traveled almost 600 miles to do so: “At ideal-intellectual in . In , he and of the Book of Revelation stood that time I was prepared to overcome any had understood that it was possible and under the cross as the only conscious and every obstacle in order to acquire such a necessary to transform anthroposophical witness to the Mystery of Golgotha; course of lectures. Because anthroposophy ideas with one’s own soul force into images Rudolf Steiner, however, was the witness was now the most important part of my filled with life, into —or at to the second crucifixion of Christ in the life.” least, pre-imaginations. In other words, etheric realm during the materialistic 19th His path had directed him to Rudolf into images that take hold of one’s own century—to the beginnings of the second Steiner’s written works in the house of Max feelings and in the process of coming of the Being of Christ, and thus Voloschin before he became acquainted their transformation. As a result, his love to the emerging resurrection of Christ- with the lecture courses—and he viewed for anthroposophy became increasingly consciousness in human beings. John (who this sequence as an essential signature for intense and intimate—ideals were formed later became Christian Rosenkreutz) and himself and his knowledge-based access to that created life forces. Rudolf Steiner are the two great teachers the work of Rudolf Steiner. The 1909 course of esoteric Christianity; they stand next to on the hierarchies given in Düsseldorf and The Foundation Stone Meditation and one another in the spiritual world and lead attended by (among others) Christian the German Language Christian-Rosicrucian esotericism. Morgenstern and Michael Bauer was the At Easter 1976 Sergei Prokofieff took The German language he now set out first course he read. part for the first time in anthroposophical with a passion to learn became for Sergei work as part of a small underground group Prokofieff the “Mystery language of the Inner Promise in Moscow that read the Foundation Stone present time” and the principal language During a sleepless night shortly before Meditation in German and Russian. He of his spiritual life. The first lecture course the end of his 21st year, he studied the had never before heard the German text— by Rudolf Steiner that he was able to read karma lectures given in Arnheim in July and was unfamiliar with this language. in German was about the Nathan soul and 1924—and they gripped him at every level Nevertheless, something happened while Parzival: Christ and the Spiritual World— of his being. “Now I knew the spiritual he listened to it that, much later, he called On the Search for the Holy Grail. being whom I always serve and to whom I a “genuine miracle” in his life “that could wanted to dedicate my whole existence— only be compared to awakening from a Holy Nights and Beings ‘the countenance of the Christ,’ Michael, deep sleep.” “In the sound of the German At Christmas 1976—nine months after the inspirer of modern spiritual science.” words of the Foundation Stone Meditation his profound experience of the Foundation In Arnheim Rudolf Steiner had also told a completely new world of Stone Meditation in German and just about the intended culmination of opened up to me. The language I heard before his 23rd birthday—Sergei Prokofieff anthroposophy at the end of the 20th was rich and ‘spirit-filled’ like the sublime attended a small anthroposophical century, about the “alliance” with the thoughts it conveyed. Language and group for the first time. The group met good spiritual powers that had entered content revealed themselves to me for in the home of Maria Alexandrovna through the Christmas Conference the first time in their inseparable unity. Scriabina, the daughter of the composer, 6 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

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to celebrate the twelve Holy Nights. means.” After the painful weeks and outside it—would depend on its future. Sometime earlier, Annie Jahn and Karla months that followed his reading of the His friends asked him to write down these Kiniger (both from Austria) had re-founded “Denkschrift” Sergei Prokofieff had the lectures and the insights he articulated the anthroposophical work in Russia with impression that he had grown closer to in them, and he agreed to do so—which a celebration of the twelve Holy Nights Rudolf Steiner in soul and spirit, and now required almost three years of inner work. and the reading aloud of the Foundation felt himself to be his esoteric pupil in full For the written version he also decided Stone Meditation in German and Russian. measure. to look at the course of Rudolf Steiner’s life Sergei Prokofieff had a singular capacity In his final impressive lecture in the from the perspective of what happened at for understanding the cosmic-hierarchical Great Hall of the Goetheanum on March the Christmas Conference. He approached dimension of anthroposophy and the 30, 2012 (which he sensed would be his the Christmas Conference as the high beings connected to it—the Christ, last) he continued to speak of Rudolf point of Rudolf Steiner’s life in the Christian , and Michael. Now he took hold Steiner’s path of suffering with the Mysteries—and as the most significant of that dimension in all its depth; he was Anthroposophical Society during 1923— spiritual event of the 20th century on the spiritually at home in these lofty spheres. after the fire—and “physical .” He later said that at the Later, while living in the West, he prepared this suffering had to undergo in Rudolf time (1980–1982) there were probably fundamental studies that were published Steiner’s soul in order finally to become only two or three people in Russia who as The Cycle of the Year as a Path of the love that infused the Christmas would be interested in the subject. Yet he Leading to an Experience of the Christ-Being; Foundation meeting. He described the succeeded with his work (Rudolf Steiner The Twelve Holy Nights and the Spiritual path leading from the Mystery of Golgotha and the Founding of the New Mysteries), Hierarchies; and The Heavenly Sophia to the “all-prevailing love” of the Whitsun and it also became well known in the West and the Being Anthroposophia. These spirit as the archetype of this process. (which brought with it great personal demonstrated how far he had come with When Sergei Prokofieff joined the risk). But Sergei Prokofieff’s essential and these themes in the short time since the Anthroposophical Society in 1977, he existential relation to anthroposophy was communal Christmas festival celebrated already viewed it as a “knowledge-based such that he would have risked his life for with the others in 1976. He also had a community,” and he saw clearly that it it. most extraordinary ability to penetrate had deeply transgressed against Rudolf the building of the First Goetheanum in all Steiner through lack of understanding. Inner Closeness to Rudolf Steiner its spiritual-cosmic language of form and The Christmas Foundation impulse had In 1982 this work appeared in beauty. not been recognized in its depth, nor had it as a book—thanks to a careful translation been sufficiently implemented in practical by Ursula Preuss (with whom Sergei The Karma of the life. Sergei Prokofieff experienced inwardly Prokofieff maintained a close connection Anthroposophical Society that a reversal of the situation and a until her death and beyond). In the foreword On the other hand, in Moscow during the true “making good” of the transgression he wrote (among other things) that the mid-1970’s he also encountered the earthly against Rudolf Steiner were needed if a book was published in the “consciousness shadow side of the Anthroposophical possible “culmination” were to take place of the pressing tasks” that would “stand Society, or was led to it by the hand of for anthroposophy at the end of the 20th before the Anthroposophical Society and destiny. He read Marie Steiner-von Sivers’ century. This was his starting point along every anthroposophist” as the words (in her foreword to the volume on an enormous path of will—pursued with end of the century approached. Later he the Christmas Conference) about the deep commitment and deep earnestness—and told of Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual presence, “tragedy” of the Society, about “what it he sought to understand the form of the soul support, and inner closeness as an meant for Dr. Steiner to take our karma Christmas Conference in order to redress occult teacher and older friend, a presence upon himself.” “We were probably called, the situation insofar as possible. he truly and intensely felt in working on but not chosen.” Soon thereafter he the Christmas Conference. came upon an original copy of the 1935 The Foundation of the New Mysteries He now also felt himself even more “Denkschrift” against Ita Wegman and her In four lectures at the end of 1979—a deeply connected with the destiny of the friends. He was made physically ill about hundred years after the dawn of the Anthroposophical Society as well: “To what he found there. The illness lasted Michael age and three years after he first found a modern Michael community on the only a few days, but was intense—and later heard the Foundation Stone Meditation earth that calls upon our age to become a (in the context of the Society’s karma) he in German—he presented his detailed new brotherhood of knights and guardians understood it as the precursor or “seed” of research results in Moscow and spoke of the Holy Grail—that seemed to me the his fatal illness. As early as the mid-1970’s, about the esoteric meaning of the main task of the Anthroposophical Society for Sergei Prokofieff there was no question Christmas Conference and the founding on the esoteric level.” of a purely historical-intellectual approach of the School for Spiritual Science. For him, Only 28 years old when the book was to the “Denkschrift”: “The reality of what the Christmas Conference was not just the published, Sergei Prokofieff no doubt had had happened lay much deeper and it “mystical fact” of the Anthroposophical great hopes for it—or rather for its subject. needed to be suffered through in order to Society; it was the start of the Michael Toward the end of the book he spoke of overcome the inclination to solve these Mysteries for esoteric Christianity, and how the tie that united Christ with his issues simply by abstract-intellectual everything—within the Society and disciples did not last: “Thrice Christ Jesus Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14 | 7

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Foundation Stone Meditation as the the progression of the 19 Lessons of the “earthly-cosmic image of the seven-fold First Class. human being who is fully penetrated by the Christ, of the human being who The Approaching Cultural Epoch is moving from the cosmic past to the After moving to the West, Sergei cosmic future and who is able to find the Prokofieff turned the focus of his spiritual Christ in the present cosmic time as he work and the resulting publications goes along this path.” And he brought the toward—among other things—pivotal being of the Foundation Stone itself—the questions of Central and Eastern Europe. At dodecahedral stone of love that Rudolf age 33 he completed his great book about Steiner had created and presented to , the German cultural figure of the Michael—into relationship with the previous century to whom he felt closest. imagination of the Grail. In a personal For him Novalis was a future-oriented conversation he told about the profound precursor of the approaching sixth cultural spiritual experience he had had at that epoch of Johannine Christianity that time—at the conclusion of the work on would draw its character from the Slavic the book—as he in fact saw the modern folk. Sergei Prokofieff’s connection to the imagination of the Grail spiritually before German language was deepened through him. He experienced his own work as the works of Novalis, and he saw him as though it were a gift of grace from the a spiritual bridge builder between Central spiritual world. It had been an enormous and Eastern Europe, someone to whom he Photo: Supplied Photo: experience to undergo such an inner felt close. Having finished his book about Sergei O. Prokofieff, Moscow, 1982 event, and to have thought its thoughts Novalis with gratitude, he continued calls to them, and thrice they sink into a for the first time—not that he himself had on this path, and worked intensively on deep sleep. They are unable to sustain the done so for the first time since they were related topics. He published his results consciousness they could have received well-known to Rudolf Steiner, but for the in: The Spiritual Origins of Eastern Europe through the loftiest recognition of the first time in the sense of discipleship. and the Future Mysteries of the Holy Grail Christ Being and the cosmic meaning (1989); Demetrius (1992); The of of the Mystery of Golgotha.” Thereafter Encouragement for Further Spiritual the Russian Epic (1992); and The Spiritual Christ experienced Golgotha in “cosmic Work Tasks of Central and Eastern Europe (1993). loneliness.” Since then, this loneliness has Sergei added that Rudolf Steiner He was also a cofounder (1990) of the been an essential part of the new initiation; deliberately did not express many things Anthroposophical Society in Russia, and it was a loneliness Rudolf Steiner had also in their entirety but left them to the its country representative. experienced fully. In the context of the individual work of others. He simply With these books Sergei Prokofieff turning point in time we again meet the suggested answers or where answers turned mainly to the members of the Society; question of when the “awakening through might be found so that his pupils and he wished to help them by establishing the Christmas Conference” might begin colleagues received a kind of “prompt” for a thorough and broad understanding for within the Anthroposophical Society. their own activity. “As a result the feeling future cooperation between Central and can arise that he (Rudolf Steiner) hoped or Eastern Europe. He was shocked to see “The Christmas Conference is among even expected that his pupils would take how the “Americanization” of Germany us!” up and continue these impulses—and he was advancing, how little knowledge there In Sergei Prokofieff’s view, the path always encouraged them to do so […].” was about the rich German and taken by the disciples toward the Whitsun In a conversation toward the end of (even among anthroposophists), event was marked by deep pain—and in his life, Sergei Prokofieff counted several and how little they knew about spiritual this sense the Anthroposophical Society findings among his most profound Russia. In the foreword to The Spiritual must henceforth establish anew the spiritual experiences and “experiences of Origins of Eastern Europe and the Future relationship to Rudolf Steiner and the grace” during his later spiritual research: Mysteries of the Holy Grail he wrote: Christmas Conference through pain the recognition of the difference between “The factual details and phenomena can and through spirit recollection, spirit the phantom body and the resurrection appear in their true nature only against the mindfulness, and spirit envisioning body; an understanding of the interior background of a historical-metahistorical so that it might realize its impulse— of the earth as the place where the first panorama and concrete knowledge about something Sergei Prokofieff described hierarchy and evil work—two elements the intentions and goals of the good and as the “Whitsun” of anthroposophy and that are geographically close but separated evil forces that will forever battle for the its Society: “The Christmas Conference is by the cosmic midnight hour; the clear right to lead Eastern Europe.” He hoped for among us! We should make every effort so connection between the Foundation Stone the development of an independent power that we are able to move forward to where Meditation and the resurrection body; of judgment, and up to the end he saw an it exists as an unshakable reality!” and the path from Jesus consciousness to absolute need for this demonstrated in In his first work he described the Christ consciousness that he researched in current politics. 8 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

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The Question of the “Culmination” Rudolf Steiner had created the Foundation book—and clearly anticipated—appeared Stone in the etheric world and that it is a year by year in all its dramatic reality: terror Sergei Prokofieff’s other work was reality for the unborn and for Michaelites attacks and new forms of evil. No other focused (as it had been since the mid- who have died, but also for the heavenly anthroposophist since Rudolf Steiner has 1970’s) on the approaching end of the hierarchies. The Aristotelians and the so thoroughly and deeply—so openly, century and on the Anthroposophical Platonists can work with them for fearlessly, and directly—looked at the Society. In 1999 he published the essay The humanity’s future in the age of the etheric forces, levels, nature, and effects of evil. Anthroposophical Society and the Being Christ. Placed deep into the etheric heart, Sergei Prokofieff presented an impressive Anthroposophia. The Turn of the Century the Foundation Stone is at the “source” of analysis of the 20th century, but also and the Tasks of the Anthroposophical the two streams of etherized blood—the penetrated to the level of the underlying Society [English translation in The Future microcosmic and macrocosmic streams— forces—right down to the asuras and is Now: Anthroposophy at the New and it provides essential meaning and Sorat, who not only seek to subjugate Millennium]. He spoke of the “depressing assistance for the fulfillment of humanity’s humanity, but also to destroy the human fact” that there had been no culmination tasks, tasks with which the Michael ego-being. of the anthroposophical movement at community of the Anthroposophical Sergei Prokofieff opened our eyes to the the end of the 20th century, and that the Society is confronted. often scattered remarks by Rudolf Steiner spiritual presuppositions for it were, For Sergei Prokofieff, all this was a on this subject; he had worked with them in fact, missing. As Sergei pointed out, spiritual reality—even an experienced to make them productive. He emphasized Rudolf Steiner had made the cosmically reality—and not just a system of thoughts. that it is even important for the hierarchies significant possibility—even necessity— His books lived through the substance of that human beings recognize evil since they for a culmination of anthroposophy his intellectual and meditative power; cannot directly see the effects of evil in dependent on the pursuit of the Christmas in the end, they lived in his spiritual- the material world and need a “reflection” Conference impulse. But it was already esoteric capacities, and despite their far- through the spiritual consciousness of impossible to speak of such a thing in reaching perspectives they actually stood the human being. If this is created, they 1924, and even less in the years of social in the service of civilization’s challenge can offer effective help to humanity in its destruction that followed. During the final and future. His great work on The Occult confrontation with the forces of evil. decades of the 20th century the impulse Meaning of Forgiveness (published in 1989 of the Christmas Conference—despite and dedicated to the “memory of the sixty- Protecting Anthroposophy all the claims to the contrary—had more sixth anniversary of the 1923/24 Christmas Sergei Prokofieff did not write these and more disappeared from large areas Conference”) is an example of how he took things merely in service to his own books, of the Anthroposophical Society. Now up significant issues of the present, issues although the attentive reader could a real new beginning of the work was that were and are vital questions for the perceive how important his spiritual work absolutely necessary. Sergei Prokofieff Anthroposophical Society. was for the spiritual world as such. He said that “standing on the Foundation did not present his findings primarily as Stone” is the esoteric foundation of the Encounter with Evil an analyst; he worked for the reality of Anthroposophical Society. Without that, In 1999—the same year The what he called the “Foundation Stone for the whole constitution and all the bylaws Anthroposophical Society and the Being the good” and a basis for a new human are a form empty of content. The basis Anthroposophia. The Turn of the Century community of Michaelites in which the for a new community, the social power and the Tasks of the Anthroposophical “principle of a spiritual brotherhood can be of resurrection, exists in the Foundation Society appeared—the seriousness with fully realized for the first time.” This was Stone which by nature is not of this world which Sergei Prokofieff took these things also how Sergei Prokofieff saw his years and must be taken individually into each was also shown in his first basic study on of confrontation with open opponents of heart. Opposing forces cannot penetrate the problem of evil (The Encounter with anthroposophy and with the many ways it the community if it lives in the members’ Evil and its Overcoming through Spiritual was being misused and deformed by those hearts. Science. With Essays on the Foundation in its “own ranks.” The point was to form a Moreover, the Foundation Stone Stone), According to Rudolf Steiner, it was true “brotherhood” that—in combination is the spiritual meeting place for the against this evil that a “fully conscious with the will—would stand existentially Aristotelians and the Platonists who must battle” must be waged now and in the for the core impulses of anthroposophy unite at the end of the 20th century and future. Sergei Prokofieff had given lectures in civilization. It was not only its enemies continue the work together. The “light of on the topic in Eastern and Central Europe and the lack of consciousness among cosmic thoughts” is in the sphere of the during 1998, a year that represented a the members that hindered and delayed Aristotelians, while the “picture quality third recurrence of the apocalyptic number this, but also many events that diverted of cosmic imaginations” is in that of the 666. As described by Rudolf Steiner in attention from its central content. Platonists. However, both groups can his September 1924 course on the Book He did this work out of responsibility come together in the substance of the of Revelation, this recurrence always toward the spiritual world, and especially Foundation Stone formed of cosmic- produces a significant strengthening in toward Christian Rosenkreutz and Rudolf human-love. the power of evil. Beginning After 1999, Steiner: “If we…take the comprehensive Sergei Prokofieff also indicates that what Sergei Prokofieff describes in his law of karma seriously, we have to say: Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14 | 9

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Tomberg. Although Tomberg had been for Spiritual Science. Nevertheless he an esoteric pupil of Rudolf Steiner, a Class moved ahead with all his strength. He member and Class holder, and a General arrived in Dornach with his completed Secretary, his later works sought to reverse manuscript of May Human Beings Hear It! the steps from Jesus to Christ and deny the The Mystery of the Christmas Conference existence of a spiritual science. “It would (the most voluminous of his career). It be hard to imagine a stronger attack on the was a manuscript that contained—in inner core of true ,” wrote over 1000 pages—everything he had Prokofieff who recognized Tomberg’s discovered about this theme since his first brilliant intellectual gifts and found in monograph appeared three times seven him a worthy opponent. Later, however, years earlier. In the foreword he wrote that battles arose that cost him a great deal the study had been given its direction by of effort because of the low intellectual his attempt to find an answer to the one and spiritual level of what was being question: “What did Rudolf Steiner intend asserted, and that turned his work with when he called the Christmas Conference these battles into an enormous test of the ‘beginning of a cosmic turning point endurance. Nonetheless, Sergei Prokofieff in time?’” Before Prokofieff, no member undertook that effort as well because he of the Executive Council had ever come to

Photo: Supplied Photo: had recognized that Michael—as a “fighter Dornach with such a work that described In the west: Mid/end of the 1980’s for the purity of the spiritual horizon”— what had always been intended and needed fellow warriors on the earth so should now occur in an epoch-making way In the spiritual world—the source [of that the etheric Christ would not be seen under the sign of the “culmination.” anthroposophy]—there is a being who in a distorted image (with fateful results Looking back on the goals for his now must bear the consequences of such for humanity). work, Sergei Prokofieff wrote that he had misuse until every person connected In the critical dispute that ensued— come to Dornach to aid in developing with this spiritual treasure consciously which Sergei Prokofieff undertook in the Goetheanum into a contemporary accepts his responsibility to it. That means the way described—the written works Mystery center, and had seen his main that to this very day a being must bear he created as he pursued this path task as pursuing his ongoing research the entire negative karma that arises were the result of what he recognized and teaching to support the connection through the misuse of higher knowledge. to be a personal occult responsibility. with Rudolf Steiner and the deepening of This is the other—esoteric—aspect of He understood his writings in this area anthroposophy (especially its Christology), human freedom found in the words of as constituting an effort to protect the as well as an understanding of the Paul: ‘For ye are bought with a price.’ The research method of anthroposophy from Christmas Conference, the esotericism individuality who must most directly bear being undermined and destroyed, to of the Anthroposophical Society, and the the negative karma of human freedom reverse the “debt” owed Rudolf Steiner, work of the School for Spiritual Science is Christian Rosenkreutz.” Rudolf Steiner and to make possible the culmination in (General Anthroposophical Section/ called Christian Rosenkreutz “the greatest the 21st century—or in a time to follow. First Class). He had relied on the power martyr among human beings,” one who Sergei Prokofieff wanted to contribute at of this work and theses initiatives to bears the consequences of distorted . least everything he had in his power. radiate into the worldwide activity of the Rudolf Steiner had indicated in a Anthroposophical Society—and on the conversation that he is celebrating a ritual Appointment to the Executive Council effect that branch and School work would with Christian Rosenkreutz before an In 2001 he was finally called to Dornach have on the Goetheanum in return . altar in the spiritual world—“a sacrificial to join the Executive Council at the During the following twelve years altar of humanity.” According to Sergei Goetheanum. Looking back on his life Sergei Prokofieff not only gave essential Prokofieff, there is significance in selflessly in personal conversations, he expressed lectures at the Goetheanum and on serving the being of anthroposophy in the repeatedly that he should have been nearly every continent on the earth, but spiritual world, and in supporting these called to the Executive Council by 1994 at also published a rapid succession of fresh two masters of esoteric Christianity—to the very latest so he could work intensely and profound works on the themes he working with them in the future rather in Dornach for the “payment of the debt had noted and researched. Among them than “increasing their burdens and owed” to Rudolf Steiner and for the were an independent publication on the sufferings on behalf of humanity through culmination. Even before his appointment Foundation Stone meditation as a “key the misuse of their work.” he viewed the so-called “constitution to the new Christian Mysteries” as well question”—which he described during as monographs focused on Christology The “Purity” of the Spiritual Horizon the 2000 Annual General Meeting as that intensified in depth and detail with Sergei Prokofieff’s efforts in this an “ahrimanic seduction”–and many each successive book. He wrote about regard—which cost him a great deal and other events since then as intentional the Christological and cosmic-human lasted to the very end of his life—found attempts at diversion from the central dimension in The of Freedom, a focal point in his battle with Valentin tasks of the Goetheanum and the School the relation of The Philosophy of Freedom 10 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

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to the Fifth Gospel, the appearance the place where the living supersensible the Anthroposophical Society in the past of the Christ in the etheric, and the being of anthroposophy could truly [20th] century.” In spite of experiences to mystery of the resurrection in the light be experienced—“for Rudolf Steiner the contrary in Dornach and elsewhere, of anthroposophy—all this done with a intended from the beginning that at the Sergei Prokofieff was determined “to breadth of spiritual-scientific Goetheanum (as nowhere else in the pursue the path of responsibility and that opened up previously unknown areas world) people could meet anthroposophy service and to be led in this by the example but was also quite exact. in a pure and undistorted way and find of Rudolf Steiner. He wanted to develop its Christological core there.” According the courage to withstand the “test of An Intensification of Anthroposophy to Sergei Prokofieff, anthroposophy had powerlessness” and to continue trusting Sergei Prokofieff’s books were been given to the Michaelites so that in the future breakthrough into civilization not simply compilations of Rudolf “our consciousness could be widened and of the Michael stream, but without Steiner’s research and writings—they spiritualized, our feeling of responsibility trivializing anthroposophy and making presupposed these. He developed them strengthened, and the will to fulfill our false compromises with the “prince of further in thought and meditation with tasks awakened.” the world.” Sergei Prokofieff knew early a comprehensive knowledge of those In this regard Sergei Prokofieff felt on that this path could end in a personal works that had not been possible for his himself to be increasingly isolated. He martyrdom and he was prepared for that. predecessors, and through independent, knew and accepted that an experience of In an early lecture at the Odilienberg innovative research always done in close “cosmic loneliness” was part of modern in 1988 he said, “Based on our connection relation to the spiritual being of Rudolf initiation, but he often had to ask himself and engagement with the Christmas Steiner. Despite his strong force of will he where his colleagues in the battle for Conference, forces can be awakened in retained a pronounced sense of humility. the “culmination” were to be found. It us to take the karmic challenges we as However, he was increasingly troubled pained him that his relationship to Rudolf anthroposophists have brought from our by the relationship to Rudolf Steiner Steiner—and the reasons he insisted on its pre-birth existence and transform them within the Anthroposophical Society significance—were often misunderstood; into a fulfillment of karma in our lifetime— and in Dornach, and he published a book its inner spiritual dimension was not seen and thus become able to make free karmic concerning this relationship in 2006. and what he taught and authentically sacrifices in the last third of our lives. Based on his own spiritual experience, lived remained uncomprehended. This means being able to pursue the path Sergei Prokofieff knew that finding a real In The Heavenly Sophia and the Being Rudolf Steiner had himself gone.” spiritual relationship to Rudolf Steiner was Anthroposophia (1995) he had already In fact, for Sergei Prokofieff a part of a necessity for the life of anthroposophy asked: “how many people [today] still the esotericism of the Anthroposophical itself—and thus decisively important know what true spiritual love is?” But he Society was found in the fundamental to the future of anthroposophy and the himself stayed true to the esoteric core of question: “Am I willing myself follow Rudolf anthroposophical movement. The last anthroposophy and to “what the Michael Steiner on his sacrificial path despite all lecture he gave in the Great Hall of the power, the Michael being, wants from the the difficulties and sufferings connected Goetheanum on March 30, 2012, has human being”—and he continually felt with it—or am I unwilling to do so?” In his the character of a legacy; he published that will. comprehensive book May Human Beings it under the title How do we stand today Hear It! with which he set out on the before Rudolf Steiner? (in Crisis in the A Test of Powerlessness path to Dornach, he wrote that if we are Anthroposophical Society and Pathways The challenging themes in his own great not prepared for martyrdom we cannot to the Future). In it he describes the inner explorations had seldom been chosen by follow the path of Christ discipleship experience that can arise in encountering Sergei Prokofieff himself—rather, they today. Elsewhere he also emphasized that Rudolf Steiner who stands before the had been given him by the spiritual world. Rudolf Steiner’s earthly path “in its inmost Michael pupil at the threshold to the He often said in personal conversation, nature” had been an imitation of the spiritual world like the pupil’s own higher “And when a task has been fulfilled to the Christ path. Two years after he became ill self. He speaks of how one finds one’s satisfaction of the spiritual world it does he published a chapter from May Human spiritual teacher in the spiritual world not answer with agreement but with the Beings Hear It!—“Rudolf Steiner and the and sees “how truth and the personality next, even larger task.” The point was Karma of the Anthroposophical Society”— of this human being begin to flow into not merely to acknowledge the spiritual under the title The Esoteric Nature of the one another in the light of Christ-Jesus’ world, but to carry forward the impulses Anthroposophical Society. There he cites archetypal image.” of anthroposophy that were threatened the words of farewell in the Gospel of John, Sergei Prokofieff hoped that the in an abysmal age, and to continue and “Greater love hath no man than this, that a intensity of the relationship to the being sustain one’s inner work: “We must still be man lay down his life for his friends.” [John of anthroposophy could be increased tested about whether we are prepared to 15:13] in Dornach, and he knew that such an be true representatives of the Christmas intensified relationship to the being of Conference’s esoteric impulses in the world The Renewal of the Mysteries anthroposophy would bring about a and whether we are willing to stand for the Sergei Prokofieff accepted the Easter spiritual closeness to the being of Rudolf realization of its aims and tasks despite all 2011 diagnosis of his serious illness as Steiner. Dornach was to be—or become— the failures and setbacks experienced by a decision of the spiritual world: “The Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14 | 11

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disciple is not greater than the master.” unite them with the best creative forces He had written extensively about Rudolf of his own soul, fructifying and quickening Steiner’s illness in May Human Beings Hear it. One can then approach their contents It, about the opposing forces that raged with an ever-increasing astonishment and against the Christmas Conference, and ever-greater reverence. Today only these about how Rudolf Steiner had been little soul forces are capable of opening for the protected by his colleagues’ (insufficient) human being a path to the Christ that is esoteric understanding. Sergei Prokofieff appropriate for the present time, for it is on was too modest and reticent to express Him alone that the meaning of life on earth something similar about his own situation, is founded. Therefore this book is meant but he never experienced his illness as to express the deepest gratitude to Rudolf belonging to him and his own destiny. Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, this During the difficult years of illness he felt great Christian Master of the West.” a further intensification of his closeness to Rudolf Steiner and he had already been A Power that Protect and Helps prepared for many years “to take at least Sergei Prokofieff concluded the review a small part of his cross upon us with the of his published work that appeared for his weak powers at our command.” 60th birthday on January 16th of this year At the end of his life, Sergei Prokofieff with the hope that his explorations would could see his own biography in full detail have a “deepening and helpful effect” and—to the extent this is possible on the Supplied Photo: for striving human beings who wish to earth—he had worked through it and Sergei O. Prokofieff, Dornach, 2009 make the Goetheanum a place for the transformed it. He said in conversation New Mysteries in the future. But I believe that it is important to bring one’s own How infinitely grateful was Rudolf Steiner these people will be assisted by not only spiritually penetrated life story to to for taking up and his books but also the power of his great the spiritual world and to relieve the deepening anthroposophy during the years individuality, his being, to protect and help. hierarchies of this work after death. We between 1909 and 1914. Morgenstern In a eulogy Rudolf Steiner said: “And in the do not know how he was actually received carried the anthroposophical ideas he presence of death we feel for the first time there. In a last conversation shortly before had selflessly worked with, Christianized, what grace we were given by the wise his death, he said to me that he had things into the spiritual world so that soon guidance of cosmic existence to have met to tell the spiritual world and Rudolf after his crossing of the threshold on those to whom karma has lovingly led us.” Steiner, especially about the conduct March 31, 1914, they stood before him After receiving word of Sergei Prokofieff’s of anthroposophy on the earth. But he in their essence and became a great death, a friend wrote me “What a loss—and added that he was very happy to have had and continuing help for the unborn and also what a significant reception on “the the opportunity to serve anthroposophy those who had died, as well as a support other side” of this most inwardly faithful during this life. for Rudolf Steiner on his further earthly pupil of Rudolf Steiner and protector of his Rudolf Steiner emphasized: “And one path. How might Rudolf Steiner feel in the new revelation of Christ!” day—when these things are thought spiritual world about the more than four We will try to maintain and intensify about rightly in the world—people will decades of life’s work that Sergei Prokofieff our connection to Sergei Prokofieff. And honor the task of the Goetheanum by dedicated to anthroposophy with such we hope that he will actively support us recognizing that it was the responsibility of intensity, with such capacities, and with on his further journeys. this Goetheanum to renew the Mysteries.” such a selfless attitude. In the foreword to I will be Sergei Prokofieff was an extraordinarily The Mystery of the Resurrection (Whitsun, And from myself do outstanding pioneer in this work of 2008) he wrote in the first sentence: “The What radiant power renewing the Mysteries. There are many content of this book is intended to bear Illuminates in me. people on every continent throughout witness to the depth of understanding for | Peter Selg, Arlesheim (Switzerland) the world who know his explorations of the events at the turning of time that can the spirit through his published works be found on the basis of Rudolf Steiner’s and lectures and who saw in him the spiritual research.” He continued later: representative of Rudolf Steiner on the “Such an effort must be made today in Executive Council and the leader of the order to demonstrate the inexhaustible Address revised by the author. General Anthroposophical Section at the fruitfulness of anthroposophy. For even Most of Sergei Prokofieff’s books are published Goetheanum. a hundred years after its founding, its by the Verlag am Goetheanum, and many Sergei Prokofieff left the earth during wellsprings are as alive and inspiring as have been translated into English. A catalogue the centenary of Christian Morgenstern’s they were originally. They can be discovered of his works (in German) can be found at death, a centenary that has been by anyone who embraces them in an vamg.goetheanum.org/5947.html and www. wegmaninstitut.ch/programme/prokofieff. commemorated since this Spring by appropriate meditative mood and with prospekt.final.pdf. anthroposophical friends in many places. the necessary intensity, and who seeks to 12 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

■ Goetheanum ■ Anthroposophy in the World

Exhibition Room Large Stage Turkey I: Painting in Selçuk (Ephesus) No Remodeling Festival and Preview Color between Worlds The exhibition space with the sculptural On September 26 the stage of the On May 18-24, 2014, Esther Gerster held group will not be remodeled during the Great Call will reopen (Anthroposophy a painting course on a beach at Ephesus. stage reconstruction. As the member of Worldwide No. 5/2014). On opening day It had every prerequisite for an intensive the Goetheanum Leadership responsible the Goetheanum Eurythmy Stage’s new experience of color: green trees and for facilities issues, Paul Mackay made program based on scenes from Peer palms, expansive blue of water and this decision at the beginning of July. Too Gynt will be given its premiere. Further heaven, radiant yellow of sun, and the many details were unresolved. projects will follow. day’s morning and evening’s red.

lans had been made since 2012 to he stage in the Great Hall reopens e began our painting working in Premodel this area (one of the rooms Ton September 26 after one year Wthe studio by concentrating on associated with the stage) during the stage of reconstruction. All members of the the color blue; the studio was bordered reconstruction as so that it could be used Anthroposophical Society, donors, and by shady palm trees and filled with rays for special events. Removing the urn room the public are invited to attend the festive of light. The cloud-free sky, the sea, and (established in 1929 and later dismantled) opening of the Great Hall from 3:00 to the changing nuances of blue helped along with the carved entryway by Oswald 4:00 p.m. with talks, eurythmy, and the us to concentrate in body and soul, not Dubach would create more space in which premiere of a string septet overture least when we went for our daily swim to experience the sculpture. The plans and commissioned for the Heiligenberg septet. in the waves of the sea. The next day a model were shown to members during The new program by the Goetheanum we turned to the radiance of yellow: the Annual General Meeting in April, then Eurythmy Stage under the direction fittingly, sharp and perceptible rays were debated. of Margrethe Solstad will have its shining between the palm leaves. Our Although the Goetheanum Leadership premiere that evening: Light and Lie strengthening and concentration on red had agreed in principle to the construction with scenes from ’s Peer and its further intensifications led us to plans, two discussions with experts Gynt and music by Edvard Grieg and the final day when we experienced the found at no convincing solutions for the contemporary composer Knut Nystedt. three basic colors on canvas, developing problematic details still outstanding. The new orchestra pit of the completely them into a rainbow spectrum with earth Among them were the opinion that the reconstructed Goetheanum stage may and sky and the atmosphere placed in carving represented an authentic form, be used for the first time. between. the preservation of Dubach’s entryway, As we painted—gently supported by the difficult acoustics, and the fact that First Opera Guest Performance Esther Gerster, our communal reading events would have to be held at the level On October 25 the first opera of texts, lectures by Rudolf Steiner, the of ’s cave in the sculpture. project will be presented: The Fall of the prologue to the Gospel of St. John and Antichrist by Viktor Ullman, based on exercises in Bothmer gymnastics and Working Group on Future Plans ’s “dramatic sketch”of the eurythmy—we had a deep experience A discussion with European General same name. This guest performance by of the interchange between outer and Secretaries at the end of July led to the the Olomouc Moravian Theater is also inner in a way that seemed familiar, and view that this project was not yet ready the Swiss premiere of the opera. Marcus we always sought the midpoint. to be undertaken because of the open Gerhardts, the director of an Ullmann This spot in what is now western questions, the pressures of time (cost- Archive (no original manuscripts) will Turkey is also a place where one can effective remodeling could only be done provide an introduction to the opera. experience the whole theme of humanity. now, in July and August) and the cost- At the end of July 2015 there will be a For instance, two people—a Turk and a benefit balance. Paul Mackay thanked preliminary performance of Faust I prior Bavarian, strangers at that point—strode architect Ulrich Oelssner for the work he to the new Goetheanum production of beside one another on a walkway in had done on the proposal. the entire Faust directed by Margrethe neighboring Selçuk. Of course we began A working group (open to members) on Solstad and Christian Peter and planned a conversation with “Where do you future plans and placement for the sculpture for Easter 2016. come from?” and “Where are you going?” will begin on September 20, organized by The Goetheanum Stage’s season will before we parted wishing each other well the Art Section at the Goetheanum; it will begin on September 5 with the youth or drank the customary tea together and review every aspect intensively. An interim theater project Twelfth Night under the continued our conversation. In a spiritual- report on the subject will be presented at direction of Andrea Pfaehler. This guest scientific context these questions also the 2015 Annual General Meeting. | Justus production by the Verein Junge Bühne lead to the Book of Revelation which was Wittich, Spokesperson for the Goetheanum is taking place in cooperation with the composed by St. John on Patmos. | Thomas Leadership Goetheanum Stage. | Sebastian Jüngel Anderl, (Germany)

Registration for the working group: Schedule: www.goetheanum-buehne. Courses: September 2014, Patmos; May 2015, [email protected] ch/5365.html Ephesus. Contact: [email protected]. Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14 | 13

■ Anthroposophy in the World

Turkey II: Anthroposophy at the Istanbul Children and Youth Art Biennial Turkey III: Eurythmy Performance Arising from an Impulse for Movement It Became More On June 8, during the third Istanbul Children and Youth Art Biennial, Şafak Topkaya On June 21, 2014, student teachers and performed with her tabletop theater (Masa Tiyatrosu). Afterward, Roberto Pellacini educators gave what may be the first gave a talk on and provided an insight into eurythmy with public eurythmy performance in Turkey demonstrations for the Turkish audience. at the conclusion of their two-and-a- half month eurythmy seminar with the he previous day the members of Istanbul Friends of the Art of Education. The T the Waldorf Education Seminar performance took place in the in Istanbul had looked at the spaces of the IELEV private school in Istanbul available in a shopping center. A messy room was available. It was not It was supposed to be an intensive particularly desirable: pictures of all eight-weekend course for student sorts hung on the walls or stood on the teachers and educators. But fortunately floor, painting materials were scattered it become more: six hours of instruction about, furniture was stored…On the every weekend from April 12 to June very day of the performance the good 21 complemented by a theoretical spirits of the seminar transformed it section with a focus on eurythmy and into a magical fairytale world with only its anthroposophical foundations. The a few—but significant—changes. The Enormous Turnip: Şafak Topkaya performs educators brought diligence and intensity Şafak Topkaya was able to wake up the story by to this compact time. Some even “flew” the small but select audience (about 30 from distant Bodrum. One student will people) with her warm introductory words methods of Waldorf pedagogy should continue her eurythmy studies at the filled with welcome. She spoke about the become an “art of education”—art as an Alanus University in Alfter (Germany). human being during the first seven years instrument for the child’s development, A classroom was available and Asrin and about the background of the tabletop one that makes a permanent change. Can Akalin, a gifted student from the play, one especially important for small conservatory, accompanied on the children in playgroups and kindergarten. Eurythmy Demonstration in Turkish piano. The course concluded with - With her great ability for empathy Topkaya Roberto Pellacini introduced hour eurythmy performance before a prepared the figures for the Turnip Play by eurythmy by pointing to the fact that small enthusiastic public on June 21 Tolstoy: grandfather wishes to pull the every solid form in the world arises out of with the theme “The stars once spoke to turnip (grown quite large) from the earth; an impulse for movement—the human man…” (Yıldızlar bir zamanlar insanlarla it was a turnip that was very small when form in its outer physical shaping as well konușuyorlardı …). Among other works planted. To do this he must be helped as in its living systems. These creative there were works by Arvo Pärt, Johann by mother, granddaughter, dog, and forces can become audible when we Sebastian Bach, Fazıl Say und Rudolf cat. However, at the beginning the little hear the sounds of the alphabet and Steiner. | Tarhan Onur, Istanbul (Turkey) mouse lent the whole group its strength notes of a musical scale. They can even to uproot the obstinate turnip, a strength become visible when they take on form Perhaps the first eurythmy performance in that was small but significant. Very small, through the movements of eurythmy. Istanbul: Waldorf seminar students perform but equally decisive! There were children The vowels and the twelve consonants in the first row who experienced the play from the “evolution sequence” were attentively and with inner joy. demonstrated in eurythmy. Sounds and words from Turkish followed: “babam” Understanding Child Development (my father), “annem” (my mother), the Then Roberto Pellacini gave a general four elements “toprak” (Earth), “su” description of the 1919 founding of the (water),”hava” (air), and “ateș” (fire). The first Waldorf school in Stuttgart. He lecture ended with a short verse from said a bit about the content of Rudolf a poem by Yunus Emre (died 1321): “If Steiner’s pedagogical lectures, especially I were killed / And my ashes / Strewn the threefold organization of the human to heaven, / I would immediately call organism; the trichotomy of the human to my earth: / I need you, I need you!” soul in thinking, feeling, and willing; the Two children (who were about 10 years relationship of the human being to the old) sat in the first row and surprised various realms of nature including the us by immediately guessing the words point Rudolf Steiner makes in performed in eurythmy as though self- that “as a spiritual human being every understood. | Roberto Pellacini, person is a species unto himself.” The (Germany) 14 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

■ Anthroposophy in the World

China: Chengdu Waldorf School, 10 Years Italy: Rudolf Steiner’s Books in the Library of Entrepreneur Adriano Olivetti Booming Development Courageous Decisions with a Long-term Effect The campus of the Chengdu Waldorf The name Olivetti is famed for its innovations in the area of office equipment. Adriano School buzzes with even more activity Olivetti (1901–1960) was the most active and well-known entrepreneur in Italy this summer. A grade school teacher following the Second World War. Works by Rudolf Steiner and a book by Albert Steffen training, high school teacher training, were found when his library was catalogued (starting in 2012). and children’s summer camp for 7-to-11- year-olds are taking place simultaneously e is one of the most interesting now that the school year has ended. H personalities to be found among Italy’s entrepreneurs and in its political eptember 13, 2014, brings the tenth and social culture. His name stands for Sanniversary of the Chengdu Waldorf the inventive and fantastic quality of School and the start of the first Waldorf Italian products during the second half high school in China. The government has of the 20th century. His firm at Ivrea informed the school that only kindergarten invented and produced one of the first through 6th grade are permitted on the personal computers in 1960. During his property and the middle school 7th and lifetime the public knew nothing of his 8th grades, plus the new 9th grade, must connection to Rudolf Steiner’s work. shut or move elsewhere. The school quickly But two of his close associates (Giorgio registered its middle grades and new high Soavi and Franco Ferrarotti) discussed school with another institution so that anthroposophical subjects with Olivetti. Turn toward the human: Adriano Olivetti they can continue at another location. From the end of World War II to the 1980’s (Cover of Comunità, March/April 1960) Meanwhile the kindergarten building the Olivetti company advertised on last must be completed by September if the page of the Italian journal Antroposofia. on local and professional communities rapidly growing student population is to and a threefold arrangement. He tried have enough space. Based on Contemporary Insights to bring this about—also on a national Olivetti’s firm employed up to 40,000 level as a member of parliament in Rome. Parallel to the Economic Boom workers with branches in 17 countries. Unfortunately this was the only area The new kindergarten building will In 1933 he took the reins of the company where Olivetti was not so successful. serve about 130 children in 7 classes from his father, Camillo, and radically and the high school will start a ninth reorganized it according to the most up- A Model of Fruitful Activity grade with about 32 students. The grade to-date organizational and productive Two years ago a list of his personal school has some 200 students, with two principles. For him there was a social library was published in a cooperative first grades, 50 teachers, and 20 staff and cultural mission connected with a effort by Edizioni di Comunità (founded (cooks, grounds people, guards, etc.). business operation. He supported better by him) and the Olivetti Foundation. The Teacher training programs proceed in working conditions, and social services in most frequent author among the 3,000 modules throughout the year and include his city (health, housing, transportation, extant books is Rudolf Steiner (26 titles in kindergarten, elementary grades, and education, lifelong learning). He financed 30 volumes); there are 7 books by Helena high school, as well as university courses. cultural initiatives so that the name Petrovna Blavatsky, and 1 by Albert Waldorf teacher trainings have also sprung Olivetti also came to stand for social Steffen! Rudolf Steiner’s works range up in Beijing, Xi’an, and Guangzhou. education, beauty, taste, . from esoteric and Christological titles to The explosion of Waldorf-Steiner He had his firm’s property designed threefold society and The in China parallels the economic according to the newest principles of Freedom. Those interested in Olivetti’s boom of the country and a big question city planning. Later, as president of the ideas will not be surprised by his affinity hovers over these educational initiatives: Instituto Nazionale di Urbanistica (INU), he for Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy (even How long will this growth go on and how helped create avant-garde in for his language). However, ideologists seriously will the underlying spirit of this Italy. He entrusted factories, residences, have long disputed this connection. education take root? schools, businesses to a series of young Our socially, culturally, and humanly Many good wishes for the tenth architects and thereby shaped the 1960’s degraded time calls for conscious and anniversary, the new high school, and world of design as Italian Style with an courageous decisions with responsible future work in China go to Huang Xiao international resonance. and long-lasting effects. We can work Xing (Harry Wong), his wife Zhang Li, and Li In the political area he took part in to make Rudolf Steiner’s Zewu, the three founders of the Chengdu antifascist rallies, and in 1946 (after a and suggestions fruitful even today Waldorf School, and to their dedicated period of exile in Silvaplana) he published just as Adriano Olivetti did in his own colleagues at this busy and challenging his ideas for a new social and political time. | Stefano Andi, Milano (IT) time. Zhu hao yun! (Good Luck!) | Van organization of the state. As mayor of Ivrea German translation by Esther Gerster. James, Honolulu, Hawai’i (US) he suggested a federal system founded Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14 | 15

■ Anthroposophical Society

We have been informed that the following 86 members have crossed the threshold of death. In their remembrance we are providing this information for their friends. | The Membership Office at the Goetheanum

Irène Feierabend Füssen (DE) March 22, 2013 Julya Knierim Düsseldorf (DE) June 7, 2014 Anny Labree Zeist (NL) September 10, 2013 Hildegard Rittelmeyer Borchen (DE) June 10, 2014 Barbara Ohlmüller Kronberg (DE) October 15, 2013 Hannelore Biermeier Bad Liebenzell (DE) June 11, 2014 Terence Davies Hastings (GB) December 11, 2013 Roswitha Droggan Frankfurt a. M. (DE) June 11, 2014 Anna-Liisa Mattsoff Helsinki (FI) February 4, 2014 Inken Saltzwedel Müllheim (DE) June 11, 2014 Julyan Norwood Chattanooga/TN (US) February 17, 2014 Gero Müller Merzhausen (DE) June 12, 2014 Frau M. Hisschemöller Dirksland (NL) February 20, 2014 Susanne Oehler Arlesheim (CH) June 12, 2014 Annemarie Goebel Niefern-Öschelbronn (DE) February 22, 2014 Ingeborg Bräunlinger (DE) June 13, 2014 Helga Auler Kassel (DE) March 10, 2014 Reiner Heinrich Heiligenberg (DE) June 15, 2014 Kai Barthel Gottmadingen (DE) March 12, 2014 Uta Kempf Kassel (DE) June 16, 2014 Gisela Junker Ahnatal (DE) March 17, 2014 Raili Sarhia Helsinki (FI) June 17, 2014 Jacobus van Ijzerlooij Zeist (NL) March 22, 2014 Susanne Lin Stuttgart (DE) June 19, 2014 Hans Weitzenböck Erlangen (DE) March 23, 2014 Mary Binder Aveton Gifford (GB) June 21, 2014 Ilona Rathner Borchen (DE) March 30, 2014 Rudolf Pfeiffenberger Stuttgart (DE) June 24, 2014 Bryan Richardson Forest Row (GB) March 30, 2014 Gerhard Gutland Stegen-Eschbach (DE) June 28, 2014 Johanna Brandau Bad Vilbel (DE) March 31, 2014 Robert Matt Strasbourg (FR) June 28, 2014 Barbara Golla Winterthur (CH) in March, 2014 John Root sen. Great Barrington/MA (US) June 29, 2014 Gretel Feiler Stuttgart (DE) April 6, 2014 Johannes Staub Dornach (CH) June 29, 2014 Christa Schmidt Remscheid (DE) April 7, 2014 Helgo Bockemühl Frankfurt a. M. (DE) June 30, 2014 Elfriede Mangold Kaiserslautern (DE) April 10, 2014 Annelis Oswald Birwinken (CH) June 30, 2014 Thomas Martin Basel (CH) April 12, 2014 Ingrid Lohmüller Berlin (DE) July 2, 2014 Lotte Hasch Leipzig (DE) April 18, 2014 Annegret Ostheim Stuttgart (DE) July 4, 2014 Guntrud Hildebrandt Marburg (DE) April 18, 2014 Claus Dittmer Dresden (DE) July 5, 2014 Reinhilde Büchler Frankfurt a. M. (DE) April 20, 2014 Adelheid Zugnoni Reinach (CH) July 6, 2014 Ursula Ries Haan-Gruiten (DE) April 26, 2014 Heinz Blankenspeck Meppen (DE) July 8, 2014 Bozidar Bonacic Den Haag (NL) April 28, 2014 Ilse Andres Basel (CH) July 10, 2014 Daniel Schmitz Ergolding (DE) May 1, 2014 Pirja Majava Helsinki (FI) July 10, 2014 Patricia Kehoe Charlevoix/MI (US) May 2, 2014 Helga Schöneborn Stuttgart (DE) July 10, 2014 Erna Möckel Bomlitz (DE) May 3, 2014 Elise Bauer Heidenheim (DE) July 13, 2014 Martin Hoffmann Täby (SE) May 4, 2014 Ruth Haertl Fürstenfeldbruck (DE) July 14, 2014 Margarete Sonderegger Neuhausen (CH) May 7, 2014 Bernhard Kaune Fellbach (DE) July 14, 2014 Johanna Wisselink Oegstgeest (NL) May 12, 2014 Pélagie Drzymala La Celle Saint Cloud (FR) July 15, 2014 Paulette Caron Croissy sur Seine (FR) May 14, 2014 Leilani Houtchens Sacramento/CA (US) July 18, 2014 Maria Fluitsma Zeist (CH) May 14, 2014 Henry Everard Überlingen (DE) July 21, 2014 Franziska Heitz Basel (CH) May 17, 2014 Eva Försterling Darmstadt (DE) July 21, 2014 Gertrud Baacke Hannover (DE) May 21, 2014 Tom Wilkes Kerikeri (NZ) July 24, 2014 Joop van den Heuvel Zeist (NL) May 21, 2014 Helmut Heck Wuppertal (DE) July 26, 2014 Gabrielle Matt Strasbourg (FR) May 22, 2014 Sergei Prokofieff Dornach (CH) July 26, 2014 Richard Phethean Aberdeen (GB) May 29, 2014 Willi Schweighauser Bottmingen (CH) July 27, 2014 Simone Cabrol Pignan (FR) May 30, 2014 Jutta Meichsner Dresden (DE) July 29, 2014 Antje Harcken Künzell (DE) May 31, 2014 Frøydis Lutnæs Berlin (DE) August 5, 2014 Reinhard Pucher Eckwälden (DE) May 31, 2014 Gudrun Nitsche Stuttgart (DE) August 5, 2014 Kurt Beta Bremen (DE) June 7, 2014 Günther Altehage Stuttgart (DE) August 8, 2014

From June 7, 2014 to August 11, 2014 the Society welcomed 174 new members. 435 are no longer members (resignations, lost, and corrections by country Societies)

A Spoonful of Honey If we could experience time instead of space we would not taste the sweetness in a spoonful of honey; we would taste the 3,000 miles flown by the thousands of bees who collected the nectar for this one spoonful—transforming it from the geometry of the blossoms into the geometry of the comb. We would not see the golden-brown color; we would the lemniscate sun-dance of the scout bees. had already spoken about how bees describe location, and today we know that the further the food source is, the more exact the dance; the closer the food source is, the fewer the hive needs to arrive at the right angle of departure for the honey bees to follow. If we could experience time, the honey might taste bitter because we would feel the hunger of the bees in the mown summer landscape, because we would also suffer the sickness and disorientation brought about by . If we could experience time, we would hear the sound “h” when we looked at the spoon: the hum of the worker bees day in, day out, and a third lower, the drones. We would not taste the tangy sweetness; we would feel the sun because the sun has guided the bees to the blossoms even when clouded over for human vision. The sun reflected 10,000 times in the facets of their broad eyes! Wolfgang Held 16 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/14

■ FeatureAnthroposophy in the World

Performance of Scenes from Rudolf Steiner’s First Mystery Drama in Japanese the stage the mood was unbelievably intense, and each scene succeeded as a “There can be eleven Benedictuses” nonprofessional performance (at least On July 25–26 the first Mystery drama conference in Japan took place with scenes from more than most people had expected). The Portal of Initiation. The first and second dramas had been translated into Japanese During the final conversation the actors by Yoshiyuki Nitta 30 years ago, and they sold so well that they have been out of print and the audience shared experiences. for some time—but there had never before been a performance in Japanese. Many found the dramas more interesting than they had expected—the drama on he impulse for the performance The Fujino group had not yet decided, so the stage was different from the drama Tcame from Michael Debus (Christian I asked whether they could do the fifth read. In any case the scenes were not Community priest in Stuttgart scene—Michael Debus had suggested just played and seen by committed (Germany). Since 2009 I have led a beginning with the first and fifth scenes anthroposophists. Many in my group group in which we read the dramas, and of The Portal of Initiation. A group also were new to anthroposophy, and yet since 2010 I have been attending the formed through the initiative of a they found much in the experience. Goetheanum’s Mystery drama summer speech formationist who lives This led to the thought that conferences with other Japanese. In in Ishikawa (six hours by there was no need to be summer 2012 Michael Debus suggested train from Tokyo!) and an anthroposophist that I could produce the dramas in has a farm there. She to understand and Japanese. How we work on the dramas wanted to tell the feel the Mystery is important here: without stress and fairytale of love dramas. They with an eye to community building. Our and hate as Frau deal with what is first meeting was held during Michael Balde. This added generally human. Debus’ visit to Japan in 2013. I had my the sixth scene. She A n o t h e r doubts about whether anyone would be asked me to tell the outcome was that interested. But then I found 25 people ironic fairytale as it would be good if in the little room with its ten chairs! German; thus I also as many people as played German in the possible could speak Eurythmy Rehearsal via Skype first scene. and act the dramas Next was the 2013 summer The Shinjuku group met themselves. Perhaps our conference where 27 Japanese took about every two weeks and rehearsed. workshop performance showed a right part. In the Goetheanum’s North Hall Four people from the sixth scene (Frau form for the “Mystery dramas in Japan.” we decided to do something from Balde, the eurythmist and the speaker The Portal of Initiation as a workshop of the spirit of the elements, German) Effect on the Japanese Language Spirit performance in summer, 2014. Each practiced each week via Skype; two At the close of the conference group would offer a favorite scene. of them live in Tokyo, one in Ishikawa, Michael Debus said something very Since Michael Debus’ visit was and one in Osaka. That worked for me significant. There were not only visible already planned, it became a two-day as German, but it was probably very people at the performance, but also conference where he held introductory difficult for the eurythmist to hear the many invisible beings. Our performance lectures. We grew more confident speaker’s breath over Skype and do not only had meaning for those who because two groups formed from the eurythmy to it… saw it with their , it also had a people at the Goetheanum—they had very positive effect on the Japanese already been doing regular work on No Need to Be an Anthroposophist… language spirit. Thus we had a task the text for a long time. At the time it We had rented a room at the for the future: We need to explore the remained open whether four teachers National Olympics Memorial Center rhythms of the Japanese language and from the Tokyo Steiner school in Fujino for this private workshop performance. find a more suitable translation. (who were also at the Goetheanum) We used about a quarter of room’s We are planning another two-day would offer a scene. length as a flat stage, and put chairs in conference for next year—all eleven In Japan, each group began by the rest. We had to improvise to create scenes from The Portal of Initiation on continuing its unhurried work on the the mood of the scenes in this barren a single day. We will rent a hall with a text (the groups planned to wait until classroom. We borrowed five ramps real stage and have invited Gioia Falk January to make concrete preparations from a eurythmy studio and sewed five to visit Japan for a week after Easter, for the conference). My Shinjuku group red and blue bolts of fabric into a large 2015. We want to involve new people planned to offer the first scene with 16 cloth… and new groups in various regions. The actors. The Kawasaki group (7 actors On both days about 200 people eleven scenes require eleven groups. from the Christian Community in Tokyo) experienced the Mystery dramas (a According to Michael Debus, “There can wanted to take on the fourth scene since couple of days before the conference be eleven Johanneses, eleven Marias, a young eurythmist planned to present there were already five people on the and eleven Benedictuses.” | Hiroko the spirit of the elements in eurythmy. waiting list). Despite the simplicity of Kagawa, Fujisawa (Japan)