worldwide What is happening in the 1–2/21

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Anthroposophy Worldwide 1-2/2021

Pause for thought 2 Humour

Anthroposophical Society 1 Breathing in the time of Corona 2 : Laughing 3 General Anthroposophical Society: Invitation to the AGM Breathing in the time of Corona

Motions Courage for knowledge, warmth of heart, seeds of will 4 Worldwide: Survey on diversity 4 Brazil: Shared endeavours Dear members, remain silent. Out of this necessity, the Sec- 4 : Many young people tions and Departments at the 5 Australia: Reconciliation Breathing With the Climate Crisis – is the have taken the decision to replace in-person 5 Egypt: and Anthroposophy title of the forthcoming climate conference conferences and meetings by digital events. 6 Hawaii: The Third at the Goetheanum. Given the situation we This does not imply that we are deaf to the 6 : Open to dialogue find ourselves in at the beginning of 2021, questions that come with this increasing 7 Austria: Older, educated, white one could ask in more general terms: ‘How digitalization. But we are also conducting 7 Russia: 30th anniversary of new foundation can we breathe in the time of Corona?’ The practical research: how can we digitally open 11 Obituary: Eugene Gollogly Goetheanum and the Anthroposophical So- up spaces where the courage for knowledge, 11 Membership News ciety are particularly concerned with social warmth of heart and seeds of will can live? School of Spiritual Science breathing. The social breath is coming to a These are qualities we are striving for in our 8 Section for Social Sciences: Spiritual work standstill, in the wider and narrower sense. work and they enable us, week after week, 8 Section for Agriculture: Beyond resilience Many people are losing close friends and to bring new breath to the working together 9 Sektion for Agriculture/Youth Section: relatives. Waves of lockdowns pass through of the global Anthroposophical Society and Climate Conference the countries. Lockdowns mean personal movement and the Goetheanum. With this isolation, they mean closed places of work in mind, we would like to call your attention Goetheanum and such as the Goetheanum, and to current digital opportunities, such as the 9 Studies and Professional Development: they mean travel restrictions between the climate conference mentioned above, the Aktive in lockdown regions of the earth. online course Beyond the Third, glimpses 9 Online progr@mme into the work on Rudolf Steiner’s Mystery No cancellations, no silence Dramas, the lecture series The Signature of Forum At the Goetheanum we ask ourselves how Our Time and the web seminars on the Great 10 Affirming the ‘I’ we can, under these circumstances, keep the Conjunction. We will, in addition to all that, 10 Learning from Eastern Europe breath alive that connects us with you, the stay connected with you personally, using members of the Anthroposophical Society, the routes available to us at this time. | Ueli Feature and those working for the Sections around Hurter, Goetheanum 12 Pioneering project in the Thar Desert: the world. Week after week we make a virtue School instead of child marriage of necessity by offering events and meetings online. The alternative would be to cancel and Image Goetheanum, West Staircase, photo: Xue Li 2 | Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21

■ Pause for thought Rudolf Steiner Laughing Humour Making life flow As the ‘I’ raises itself to laughter, it summons the forces of its self-lib- It is an ancient mystery that the must be purified before it can enter the spirit realm. eration, sublimity and individuality This is why we find wells and water bowls for the cleansing of body and soul in the vesti- in the world. In weeping, it can bules of temples and sanctuaries. Humour can also be a form of purification. educate itself to connect with what Cleansing the soul with humour? ‘Humour’ simply the belittling of something bigger. it belongs to. […] Both laughter and derives from the Latin word for moisture tears are means of educating the ‘I’ or fluid. The German writer and philoso- and the ‘I’-forces. In expressing itself pher Friedrich Theodor Vischer (1807 – 1887) in laughter or tears, the ‘I’ rises up, described humour as the most spiritual of as it frees itself from or connects waters. And Rudolf Steiner noted, “We will closely with the world. [A laughing only truly rise to the spirit realm if we don’t countenance] is the spiritual expres- try to approach it with selfish sentimentality sion of the fact that we are striving but in purity of soul - and this always requires for liberation, that we don’t allow humour” (GA 181, lecture of 3 July 1918). He things unworthy of us to grasp hold also pointed out that “Those who fail to find of us, but that we rise, with a smile humour in what is humorous will also fail to on our face, above the things we find earnestness in what is earnest” (GA 277a, must never become enslaved to. address of 29 August 1915). There should When the ‘I’ is at ease, we are open to be be no rash self-limitation, “You may easily amused; an inner serenity takes hold and Source GA 59, Lecture of 3 February 1910 think it improper to treat ‘sacred things’ [as we are ready to be diverted by life’s manifes- presented in the Twelve Moods] satirically. tations while continuing to be able to meet Refers to Pause for thought: humour But […] if you wish to advance in the sphere with earnestness what is earnest. of , it is a basic requirement to not I have always wondered why, in the stat- forget to laugh at what, if rightly judged, is ue of the Representative of Humanity, the worth laughing at in the world” (GA 169, ‘world humour’ hovers above everything, lecture of 11 July 1916). until I found the following statement by Rudolf Steiner: when we laugh we strive Loving devotion to the world for “liberation, so that we don’t allow our- There are conditions, though. I need to de- selves to be caught up in things unworthy vote myself lovingly to the world, connect of us, but with a smile rise above the things ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide. What is happening in the Anthroposophical with it in interest and understand its in- we must never be enslaved to” (GA 59, lec- Society› appears monthly in German, consistencies in order for the ‘I’ to be able ture of 3 February 1910). Humour ultimately English, French and Spanish as a supple- to distance itself, or anthroposophically helps to make life and its encounters flow ment to the weekly ‹Das Goetheanum›. speaking, for the to withdraw again. | Stephanie Janisch, Dornach (ch) Publisher General Anthroposophical from us, allowing us to smile or laugh. If this Society represented by Justus Wittich. becomes too strong, we have derision and Editors Sebastian Jüngel (responsible cynicism or, in other words, a worldview for the German edition), Margot M. Saar (responsible for the English edition), Mi- based on antipathy rather than sympathy. chael Kranawetvogl (responsible for the The senses perceive the diversity that Spanish edition), Jean Pierre Ablard and surrounds us, the mind orders the sense Anselme Killian (French edition; coordi- impressions by comparing concepts, and nator: Louis Defèche). Proofreader for the reason recognizes the unity in this diversity, English edition: Amadeus Bodenstein. the deeper truth of the cosmic order. Things Address Anthroposophy Worldwide, po become comical when these relationships Box, 4143 Dornach, , fax +41 61 706 4465, aww@dasgoetheanum. are out of sync: what is unreal claims to be com • We expressly wish for active support real; or the mind brings two incompatible and collaboration. Subscriptions To receive concepts together. When a person (concept ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide› please apply 1) moves like an ape (concept 2), we tend to to [email protected]. Digi- find this funny because of the inconsistency tal subscriptions are free. As a supplement between what we see and what can be real. to ‹Das Goetheanum› ‹Anthroposophy Stephanie Janisch, born 1983 in Ar- Rudolf Steiner pointed out that “Becoming Worldwide› is also free. If the printed lesheim (CH), is Waldorf educator edition is posted to you directly, we ask aware of this inconsistency between a cre- working in special needs educati- on. She will conclude her for a donation to cover costs. Printed by ated object and its inner potential strikes us training at Eurythmeum CH in 2021 Birkäuser + gbc, 4153 Reinach, Switzer- as comical” (GA 271). with a diploma thesis on ‘Humour land. Design concept according to Karl Lierl, and Serenity’. Unterföhring, . © 2020 General Inner serenity Anthroposophical Society, Switzerland. Image ‹World Humour by Rudolf Steiner and With humour, one can still discern the , photo: Bernard Bonnamour whole behind the inconsistency – it is not Image Stephanie Janisch, courtesy photo Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21 | 3

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General Anthroposophical Society Invitation to the Annual General Meeting This year’s Annual General Meeting will take place, in a reduced format, on 27 March 2021 and deal with the formalities in the usual rhythm. Members will be able to partici- pate again via livestream and there are plans to introduce a chat channel for outside contributions to the meeting. Dear members, Proposed agenda for the 2021 AGM 27 March 2021 Concerns to be submitted at the 2021 In mid-January 2021 around 30 representa- 9-10.30 a.m. AGM tives of the Anthroposophical Societies in 1 Welcome and opening of the meeting different countries held a video conference: 2 The situation of anthroposophy and while for some of them it was early in the of the Anthroposophical Society in the The general meeting asks the Executive morning and summer (New Zealand), it was world – Executive Council report and Council to examine the middle of the night (India), evening and other short contributions snow (Europe) and midday (America) for 10.30-11.15 a.m. Coffee break – if the procedure, explained in detail last others. It emerged that hardly any of the 11.15 a.m. – 1 p.m. year, regarding the form, which was in- representatives foresee being able to travel 3 Developments and initiatives in the tended at the Christmas Conference of in person to the AGM scheduled for 26 to School of Spiritual Science and its Sec- 1923 but which has since been seriously 28 March 2021. The decision was therefore tions harmed and disregarded, for cultivating made to postpone the spring conference 4 The Anthroposophical Society in the the anthroposophical movement as the of the country societies to the summer (12 different countries: changes and per- new to 14 July 2021), when it will follow on from spectives – is to be re-established and realized, in- the planned Alma Humana conference (a 5 Discussion cluding on a legal basis, in a contemporary meeting for people from Romance-speak- 6 Presentation of motions submitted by and authentic form with a view to the ing countries and anyone interested, with members forthcoming centenary of the Christmas German and English interpretation). 1–2.30 p.m. Lunch break Conference in 2023, and 2.30–4 p.m. – if yes, to announce this to the membership Shorter AGM on 27 March 2021 7 Presentation of the 2020 financial state- within six months. In these consultations, which included the ment and auditors’ report – If it should not be possible, the Executive Goetheanum Leadership, the Executive 8 Discussion of the 2020 financial state- Council should announce how it may be Council decided to hold the AGM at the usu- ments and approval possible. al time, but to reduce it to one day because 9 Election of Auditors of the uncertainty of the Corona situation. 10 Motion to discharge the Executive To access the full presentation and rationale We invite all members who will be able Council for this concern log in on the Goetheanum to attend to the General Anthroposophical 11 Decision on further motions and con- website, www.goetheanum.org/login and Society’s Annual General Meeting at the cerns submitted to the 2021 AGM go to 2021 AGM. Goetheanum on 27 March 2021, from 9 a.m. 4–5.15 p.m. Coffee break to 6.30 p.m. This means that formal proce- 5.15-6.30 p.m. The suggested ‘disentanglement’ would dures will not be left unaddressed for too 12 Commemoration of the dead and artis- mean a separation into long, and it is impossible to say with any tic conclusion certainty if and how a full annual conference – the Anthroposophical Society in a nar- will be possible later in the year. The AGM will be streamed live in a protected rower sense, Following last year’s positive experiences, environment. For access, members of the – the legal administration of the Anthro- we will hold a similarly concentrated AGM, Anthroposophical Society can register now posophical Society, and livestreamed in German and English. In ad- at www.goetheanum.org/en/login – the administration of the Goetheanum dition, we will experiment with a live chat building. channel that allows members to ask ques- tions which will be brought to the meeting The Executive Council would be the connect- by a chat moderator. ing link between the three organizational Exact conditions for the meeting will forms. depend on local and national government Since the 2019 AGM a group of around 30 regulations at the time and will be commu- members has met in three colloquia in order nicated in the next issue of Anthroposophy to work on a comprehensible chronicle of Worldwide. | Justus Wittich, Constanza the history of the constitution since 1902. Kaliks, Matthias Girke und Ueli Hurter, Ex- | Justus Wittich, Executive Council at the ecutive Council at the Goetheanum Goetheanum

Image Goetheanum Reception area with sculp- ture of Rudolf Steiner's head, photo: Xue Li 4 | Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21

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Identities Survey on diversity An informal survey illustrates the degree to which diversity is rooted in the Anthroposophical Societies of different countries. In the societies of many countries, the question of diversity (aspects of identity) was one that was particular- Brazil India ly present in 2020. Independently of that, ‘anti-Corona’ rallies in Germany Shared endeavours Many young people provoked a chain of associations in CaminhAção is an initiative that connects The members of the Anthroposophical So- the public media regarding the orien- diverse social groups and anthroposophi- ciety in India come from all of the coun- tations of the demonstrators, which cal endeavours (Anthroposophy World- try’s . Many of them work in an- included, among others, members wide 4/2020). throposophical organizations. of the far-right, conspiracy theorists, people opposed to vaccinations, es- CaminhAção is a call to the human soul The members of the Anthroposophical So- oterics and anthroposophists. 2020 that asks questions such as ‘What makes ciety in India come from all of the country’s also saw an increase, in anthropos- us human?’ and ‘How can the idea of social religions. Many of them work in anthropos- ophical contexts, in the publication of threefolding be kept alive?’ On this ‘path’ ophical organizations. We are open-minded new or updated statements on racism. we bring diverse aspects of Brazilian culture and welcome anyone who wishes to join These developments gave rise to a together: the indigenous culture of the Gua- the Anthroposophical Society as a member. survey conducted by Anthroposophy rani peoples, the spirituality of Maracatu, Most of those seeking membership come Worldwide among representatives of Hip-Hop and Samba de Coco, Caboeira, the from the anthroposophical movement and the Anthroposophical Societies around Warriors Without Weapons movement and are involved in curative education, medicine, the world. The survey aimed to estab- , the spiritual being of Anthroposophy. agriculture or education. They already have lish to what extent the individual So- We consciously seek the dialogue with what a connection with Anthroposophy that they cieties represent their country’s popu- is ‘different’. This impulse has succeeded in wish to take further. lation, if they are influenced by other uniting, strengthening and expanding the All nine religions actively practised in India (people growing up or being anthroposophical movement in Brazil and are represented among the members. They educated in Europe) and what they enabled its realization outside its ‘bubbles’. are Hare Krishnas, they visit Buddhist tem- do to uphold diversity in their country. In most places across Brazil, CaminhAção ples; there are Catholic nuns and burqa-wear- All responses are based on personal has been promoted by the branches and ing Muslim women. Nor does it matter what experience rather than scientific inves- study groups within the Anthroposophi- caste they belong to. Most members are from tigation, and do not assess aspects of cal Society. They started anthroposophical India, are married to Indians (often coming identity such as ethnicity, or initiatives and joined the socio-cultural from Europe originally) or they have chosen sexual orientation. What the survey movements mentioned above in order to India as their home country. has brought to light are the differ- organize events and create spaces for dia- For membership or for working in anthro- ences that are specific to the various logue and reflection, such as most recently posophical organizations, one should have an countries. The first contributions are (due to Corona) an online celebration on 3 interest in Anthroposophy and therefore in the documented here. | Sebastian Jüngel October 2020. Christ impulse, in the mystery and The richness of this movement arises in Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science generally. Statements 2020 (selection): Executive from the interaction of anthroposophical Our members are mostly young and pre- Council at the Goetheanum goethe- initiatives with the wider world – a quest dominantly female. It is therefore not sur- anum.co/de/nachrichten/menschheitli- che-ausrichtung-der-anthroposo- that finds human qualities in all kinds of prising to find them in leading positions, for phischen-gesellschaft | Anthroposophcal guises – in other rhythms, sounds, forms instance, the new representative for India, Society in Germany www.anthropos- and colours. Nirmala Diaz, and the president of the Anthro- ophische-gesellschaft.org/agid-aktu- ell?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=476&- For those taking part in it, CaminhAção is posophical Society in India, Swapna Narendra. cHash=3298d024601482ee- an opportunity for sharing knowledge in the Aban Bana has passed on these tasks because 925b744e86ec8471 | Biodynamic Fed- form of myths and songs; a movement that she wanted to be relieved from working on- eration / Section for Agriculture at the unites feelings and diverse ways of think- line. It is important for us that those in leading Goetheanum www.demeter.de/sites/de- fault/files/public/pdf/stellungnahme-ru- ing. | Ute Craemer, representative of Brazil positions are experienced in their own field, dolf-steiner-demeter-biodynamisch.pdf | that they are able to represent Anthroposophy Declaration (updated version) and to inspire others whilst respecting their www.waldorfschule.de/ueber-uns/print- choices. | Aban Bana, Mumbai (in) medien/broschueren/erklaerungen/stutt- garter-erklaerung Web www.anthroposophicalsocietyindia.org Web www.sab.org.br Image Council of the Anthroposophical Society in Image Meeting at CaminhAção, courtesy photo India, courtesy photo Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21 | 5

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East and West, of Islam and Anthroposophy. This fusion is applied in practice to this day in the ongoing education, in Arabic, of everyone working in Sekem (and in the last seven years also in Cairo’s Heliopolis University in Cairo), in the pedagogical con- cepts of kindergarten, school and vocational training (teachers, eurythmists, speech art- ists) and in biodynamic farming. The local Australia Bedouin population is also represented in the school and in businesses. For many Reconciliation years in-depth anthroposophical training programmes were presented at the Medical The flaw triggered by colonization contin- Center, which is currently being updated ues – the Anthroposophical Society and to include holistic medicine and a holistic the Steiner schools are working towards Egypt insurance system. reconciliation. Islam and Anthroposophy In addition, there is the celebration and Australia was colonized by the British 233 appreciation of the diverse Islamic and In Egypt, anthroposophy lives as a cultural years ago – some celebrate Australia Day Christian religious and cultural festivals. and cross-cultural impulse that unfolds on 26 January, by many this day is referred potentials both in Sekem and in anthropo- to as Invasion Day. While some grieve the Personal interest in anthroposophy sophical education and training centres. violent invasion of land and culture, oth- In some parts of Egypt, such as Luxor, Sekem ers celebrate the multicultural society with The anthroposophical movement and Soci- supports the opening of Waldorf Schools by gratitude for the abundant lives they lead. ety in Egypt were founded by Ibrahim Abou- committed teaching professionals. In 2008 a formal apology was made publicly leish and a group of people from Europe. An Thanks to the growing farming communi- to those known as the ‘stolen generation’, so anthroposophical branch and Class work ty in Wahat, Bahariya, more educational and named as a consequence of mandated child have evolved from this foundation. cultural opportunities have been opening up removal and enforced assimilation. Within this Branch meetings are attended by people for the inhabitants of this oasis. Here, too, heartfelt apology, the Prime minister said ‘sorry’. staying in Sekem, including short-term in- the connection of Islam and Anthroposophy The word ‘sorry’ in Aboriginal and Torres Strait terns and lecturers or guests from all over is tangible, for instance when Egyptians Islander languages and cultures holds special the world. Due to the many languages spo- present a eurythmy performance for farm meaning in the surrounding and ken by those coming together here, English workers and community members in the expresses empathy, sympathy, and an acknowl- has become the lingua franca. The life of new amphitheatre. edgment of loss but not responsibility. the branch is enriched by people with an knew how to intro- Recent research shows that the spread of Egyptian, or Muslim, background who, as a duce those around him to Anthroposophy trauma from one generation to the next is an result of their education, are open to holistic so that they were able to connect with it underlying cause of issues – in this case for approaches. and continue to study Rudolf Steiner’s work Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. for themselves. Sekem has been working Still today, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Interweaving cultures more closely with the Goetheanum in recent Islanders are not recognized in the Australian Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, years. We are collaborating with the Section Constitution. with 90 percent of the population being for Agriculture on bringing the biodynamic In recent years, groups of members have Muslims and six to ten percent Coptic Chris- approach to farming and to the environ- formed to bring awareness and actions regard- tians. As other countries have done in recent ment to universities in other parts of the ing the issues reconciliation and cultural compe- decades, and generally in times of growing world. | Angela Hofmann, Cairo (eg) tency. We have continually active involvement disorientation and economic uncertainty, within the Steiner schools, for instance, many Egypt also tends towards more traditional schools have full scholarships for Aboriginal and and conservative values. Torres Strait Islander students. In many Austra- It is thanks to Ibrahim Abouleish that lian states the Steiner Schools have integrated Sekem has become a place of potential di- the colloquial indigenous culture throughout versity. His artistic interweaving of cultures their curriculum. These are some examples with- and religions is apparent in the building in the education sector. The Anthroposophical of bridges between East and West he em- Society in Australia is grateful that Australia's di- bodied in his very person: having grown verse human culture is sculpting and influencing up as a Muslim, he went to study and work Anthroposophy. | Jane Bradshaw, representative in Austria, where he embraced Western for Australia culture and Anthroposophy. For 40 years he and his closer co-workers explored the Web www..com connections and commonalities of the es- Web www.anthroposophyaustralia.com Image Eurythmy performance for staff mem- Image Art work (detail) by Peter Muraay Djeripi oteric Quran and Anthroposophy. Sekem bers in the amphitheatre at Wahat desert farm, Mulcahy, SEA of Opportunity itself is therefore founded on a fusion of photo: Sekem 6 | Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21

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Netherlands Open to dialogue The Anthroposophical Society in the Netherlands is open to diverse forms of identity – but there is still work to be do- ne. Hawai’i seems to be able to draw from an individual source and manifest something very different IThe Anthroposophical Society in the The Third from what all the others produce. Netherlands accepts diverse kinds of sexu- Duality is a concept that overlooks the What is this individual source we draw al orientation as normal. The proportion of unity of the third as well as the simulta- from if not a similar creative wellspring? ‘white’ and older members is high, some neous uniqueness and universality of hu- Don’t we all have this innate capacity, this were born in Indonesia or Surinam; as far manity as one. inner spiritual resource to tap into? And don’t as I know only a few members do not have we all share this genuine talent, even though a Christian background. Our civilization clings to a yes or no, on or uniquely expressed, with everyone else? Isn’t In Waldorf Schools too, an estimated 90 off, black or white, male or female, binary this after all, in part, what makes us human? percent of students are white, one excep- mentality that lacks the context in which tion being the Tobias School in , those important dualities exist. Yin plus as a universal source where 50 percent of apprentices come from yang equals one whole; that is three ele- The universal human being is an ideal, a spi- non-Dutch families. When this school was ments not two. We must wrest ourselves . The unique, diverse individual founded around 1999/2000 in the north of away from the dualistic view of a world that human being is a physical reality and the Amsterdam, a district with a high percen- clings to love vs hate, courage vs coward- two can be the complete picture of a person. tage of Muslims, it was not easily accepted liness, light vs dark, etc. There is always a Diversity without the universal, the physical by the population, partly because of other threefold alternative to the mechanistic without the spiritual leads to a materialistic schools in the area. Retirement and care twofold equation. We live as the balance endgame, a ‘war of all against all.’ homes have a relatively high proportion of beam between the polarities when we em- Let us not forget that we are all artists multicultural staff: up to fifty percent. brace infatuation-love-hate, foolhardiness- when engaged in the creative process. We In the Netherlands Anthroposophy is seen as courage-cowardliness, or light-colour-dark, share this process of being human with all a Central European legacy. Anthroposophists etc. We are not one or other of the polarities, other human beings. We are part of a larger are seen as an elite that has idiosyncratic if we discover ourselves as the medium. art studio than we might recognize. | Van not weird ideas but is nonetheless met with James, representative for Hawai’i a fair amount of goodwill. Joined in uniqueness The Waldorf movement in the Netherlands The issue of diversity is a topic of great is growing fast – around ten new schools concern at the moment. But so is the issue open every year. The discussion here is about of universality. Every human being shares how one can become a more comprehensive something with the other no matter what mirror of the population. their gender, race or cultural differences are, The Anthroposophical Society strives to be a and yet at the same time, each embodies a society of the centre; we endeavour to reach special uniqueness. How is it that we cannot all people. We also seek the dialogue with embrace uniqueness as a complement and other groups such as Sufis, theosophists and integral aspect of one whole? Rosicrucians. | Rik ten Cate, representative As a teaching-artist it is all too wonderful- for the Netherlands ly familiar to me that upon giving a singular instruction to a group of children or adults for a or drawing lesson, each individual produces their own unique interpretation based on the same instruction. No two art- Web www.anthrohawaii.org works are the same. Each one is a special and Image Art class at Guangzhou University, De- Web www.antroposofie.nl independent creation even though it came partment of Art and Design (CN), archival photo directly from the same prompt. Everyone courtesy of Van James Image Toys, photo: Ampiargentina Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21 | 7

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Russia Thirtieth anniversary of new foundation On 22 and 23 December 2020 the Anthro- posophical Society in Russia celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of its new foun- dation in Moscow (RU).

Austria Denis Solomkin, a member of the Russian Anthroposophical Society’s Council, looked Älter, gebildet, weiß back on the Society’s history in Europe and The anthroposophical work in Austria re- Russia, from the beginnings of the Theo- lies on the cooperation of free individuals sophical Society in 1875 and the founding, and is largely carried by original German- in 1912, of the Anthroposophical Society in speakers. Cologne (DE) by Rudolf Steiner to the lay- ing of the foundation stone for the First The demographic of the Anthroposophical Goetheanum on 20 and Society and of anthroposophical events in the simultaneous foundation of the first Austria is not representative of the diversity Anthroposophical Society in Russia. Like the of society in this country, particularly not in building, this society only lasted a few years, the cities: our audiences tend to be older, until February 1923. cow that would later find a place to work educated (not always in the formal sense) on the Society’s centrally located premises. and white. Anthroposophical groups and Prohibition, continued work, Eurythmy and singing with piano accompa- branches are mostly attended by original new foundation niment enhanced the festivities. German speakers, with occasional guests After the prohibition of the Anthroposoph- from Eastern European countries such as ical Society, the friends in Russia continued Good wishes from the Council in Russia Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Po- to work cautiously and secretly until the As a special gift for the Russian Society’s land, most of whom have met anthropo- thawing of political relations in the 1970s library, Astrid Prokofieff handed over the sophy in their home countries. I don’t have and 1980s made it possible for anthropos- book on Rudolf Steiner’s Representative of a complete overview but assume that it is ophical groups to emerge again in various Humanity by Mirela Faldey and David Hor- similar in the anthroposophical training places. Thanks to lively contacts with Euro- nemann von Laer1 (Anthroposophy World- centres, even though their students will pean friends, the groups were able to grow wide 11/2020) with contributions by her late be considerably younger. and start preparations for a new foundation husband, Sergei O. Prokofieff. With the resources currently available of the Society. On 22 December 1990, the A compendium with memories of the to us we are unable to offer a programme International Anthroposophical Society first anthroposophical groups in Russia is that does justice to the societal diversity by was officially registered at the Ministry of in preparation. considering language barriers, questions Justice – as part of the global Anthropos- With good wishes for the continued of education and economic circumstances. ophical Society. fruitful work within the anthroposophical In training and during lectures the The co-founders Alla Rogozhina, Pyotr movement, the Russian Council sent to the topic of ‘cultural identity’ is occasionally Tchaikovsky (the present country repre- members of the Anthroposophical Society in addressed, and questions are asked such as sentative) and Lydia Demidova (Alexander Russia both an invitation for this anniversary whether the anthroposophical approach, or Demidov’s widow) spoke about the past fifty and the programme of anthroposophical Rudolf Steiner’s approach, might be cultura- years of anthroposophical life, including the events held during the twelve Holy Nights list, nationalist or even racist. Such concerns performances of Rudolf Steiner’s first and and Epiphany. In Russia, Christmas begins can usually be allayed if one explains the hi- second Mystery Dramas in the late 1970s in a on 7 January and, in accordance with the storical context (of the immediate post-war living room: with costumes and scenery, but Julian calendar, the Baptism in the Jordan is period) and by pointing out that – from the without an audience because everyone was celebrated on 19 January. | Violetta Kraeva, anthroposophical point of view – individual involved in the plays. Decades of valuable Moskau (ru), and Astrid Prokofieff, Dornach identity is characterized by its ability to leave educational and social activities in ‘Club Ar- (ch) cultural backgrounds and group identities istotle’ under the direction of Alla Rogozhina behind and to cooperate with individuals came to life again. Eurythmy and recitation that are free in this sense. | Wolfgang To- were practised intensively in this club which maschitz, representative for Austria also inspired the founding of many schools. Olga Pronina spoke of the inauguration of the Society in the summer of 1991, with over 60 international guests, held in Moscow’s Web www.anthroposophie.or.at cultural centre for composers in the city Web www.anthroposophie-ru.org Image Haus der Anthroposophie, Vienna, photo: centre. Ignatiev Rozhdestvensky described Image Anniversary celebrations, photo: Denis Wolfgang Schaffer the development of diverse groups in Mos- Solomkin 8 | Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21

■ School of Spiritual Science

Section for Agriculture Beyond resilience

Section for Social Sciences The Goetheanum’s Section for Agriculture compiles research results on sustainable Spiritual work resilience for its 2021 Science Conference. While, due to government regulations, It felt strange walking up alone at night Solutions to problems fail if they repeat- the Goetheanum remains closed to the to the closed, dark and empty Goetheanum, edly trigger new needs for action without public and people are expected to work unlocking the door and locking it again, pre- actually dealing with the underlying causes. from home, the spiritual work continues. paring everything and starting the Lesson. Although an overheated byre can be tackled Because no one was there physically, I wel- with a sprinkler system for cows and you At the Goetheanum we are also subject to comed everyone with even more intensity can breed drought-resistant cotton plants, the regulations regarding the pandemic. In than usual, and invited also the members a more straightforward solution would be Switzerland or, to be more precise, in the who were spatially and temporally more to plant trees as natural shade systems canton of Solothurn where the Goetheanum distant, those alive and those who have and carbon stores to help the climate or to is situated, all cultural venues must remain passed away, and I reflected on the working adapt farming strategies using other plants. closed, including the Goetheanum. But is stream of the Michael School that has been “ looks at the whole it really like that? No, it is not! The Goethe- kept alive for decades, and on those who and develops a system which allows the anum building is closed to the public and have kept it alive to this day. different parts to become stronger,” says Lin events and meetings are cancelled or can What happened then I will not forget: as Bautze from the Section for Agriculture at only happen virtually. And that is very pain- I started the Lesson, the room seemed to fill. the Goetheanum. “This means that a system ful. But we nevertheless continue to work, Although, outwardly, I was giving the Lesson needs to be expanded and where possible wherever that is possible. The members of by myself, I inwardly felt carried by and con- fundamentally changed in order to enable the Executive Council, the Goetheanum nected with all those who have cultivated sustainable agriculture.” The Section for Ag- Leadership, the Sections and the many de- the stream of the Class Lessons for almost riculture is working on a number of projects partments continue with their work – some a century at the Goetheanum and who are to develop a sustainable view of resilience people work from home, others come to doing this now, during this pandemic, with in agriculture. their work place if necessary. even greater . There is documented evidence of a sup- But how is it with the mantric work of Michaela Glöckler experienced her Lesson portive approach to the living world in bio- the School of Spiritual Science and with similarly. “It was not at all embarrassing,” dynamic agriculture and related areas such the regularly held Class Lessons? Do they she writes. She rather had “the impression as agroforestry, permaculture, agroecology have to stop? Even if the legal situation is of a multiple presence that was not visible and horticulture. The Section for Agriculture unambiguous, it was also clear to us that, to the eyes.” is currently compiling results and plans for whatever happens, we cannot and will not healthy food systems from researchers and stop the Class Lessons: this living stream New in every moment students and via farmers to processors for of work must continue. The only question The Goetheanum does not belong to us. the research conference on biodynamic agri- is how? In the widest sense it belongs to all of hu- culture in summer 2021. | Sebastian Jüngel manity. And it is the home of the School of English by Lynda Hephurn Cultivating the stream of the Class Les- Spiritual Science that Rudolf Steiner found- sons ed. This independent School is a cohesive Michaela Glöckler and I therefore decided, global work place. It is kept alive and made in agreement with the School leadership, effective, in every moment anew, by the will to hold the Lessons in the period around of those who are forming and nurturing Christmas and Epiphany as announced. The this cohesion or, as Jörgen Smit called it, Lessons will therefore always be held at the this ‘chalice’. | Gerald Häfner, Goetheanum Tagung Growing beyond resilience, International Goetheanum, at the agreed time. Whoever Conference on Biodynamic Research, 30. August wishes to attend can do this distantly, from bis 2. September 2021, Royal Agricultural Univer- sity, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (gb) where they are: we meet at the arranged Web www.sektion-landwirtschaft.org/ time in the School of Spiritual Science as a Image Goetheanum, architecture detail, photo: biodynamic-research-conference spiritual meeting place. Xue Li Image Living soil, photo: Philip Wilson Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21 | 9

■ School of Spiritual Science ■ Goetheanum

Events Online progr@mme The Goetheanum is providing a grow- ing range of online events. Contribu- tions and events are available both from the archives and on livestream. Archives Section for Agriculture | Youth Section Goetheanum Studies The Signature of Our Time. Lecture series (German, English) Climate conference Active in lockdown www.goetheanum.org/login) Breathing With the Climate Crisis – a con- The Goetheanum offers a February pro- From the work on Rudolf Steiner’s Mys- ference where biodynamic farmers and gramme with practical exercises for be- tery Dramas (German, English) young people concerned with the climate coming creative and taking charge. mysteriendramen.goetheanum.org/en/ question join forces. The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Sat- External regulations and the ongoing inter- urn on 21 December 2020. Web seminars When farmers look at the climate, they are ference with one’s private and professional (two lectures in German, two lectures in concerned with making the earth as fertile lives can become rather stressful. “This is English) mas.goetheanum.org as possible and with minimizing carbon di- when people begin to look for orientation: Running now (registration closed) oxide. "Without a healthy climate there will How does my family ‘work’? What does my 1 to 28 February: Beyond the Third. Online be no harvest," is how Ueli Hurter, farmer boss expect from me? And where, in all this, study course (in English; interactive lan- and co-leader of the Goetheanum's Section can I find my inner source of strength?” This guage groups in English, French, German, for Agriculture, summarizes the situation. is how Edda Nehmiz outlines the questions Portuguese, Spanish) Farmers are struggling with extreme weath- many people are facing right now. But one studium.goetheanum.org er conditions, with heat waves and heavy does not have to feel powerless in the face Coming up rain, which is as damaging to the soil as of these challenges. The faculty of the Goet- 9 February, 6 - 9 p.m.: Assistierter Suizid. droughts are, exposing it to erosion. Young heanum’s Studies and Professional Devel- Ethische Fragen bei Sterbewunsch und people are concerned about the earth and opment offers ways of dealing with them Auswege durch die palliativmedizinische about keeping it inhabitable far into the constructively. “We wish to create a forum Begleitung. Online symposium on ethical future. where one can develop something for one- questions in relation to Assisted Suicide Constanza Kaliks, head of the Youth self, away from family life, work and societal (in German). Section at the Goetheanum, is convinced expectations,” Edda Nehmiz points out. medsektion-goetheanum.org/veranstal- that "New impulses will grow from the Faculty member Constanza Kaliks ex- tungen collaboration of farmers and young peo- plains the approach of the February online 11 to 14 February: Breathing With the Cli- ple." Ronja Eis, a Youth Section co-worker programme Beyond the Third, “Anthropos- mate Crisis – Ecologically-Socially-Spiri- adds, "While nature has been an important ophy is a way of entering actively into the tually. Online conference (English, French, topic for young people over the past three sphere of life. Thinking as creative activity German, Italian, Spanish) years, their relationship to it is now - due to and actively participating in life can help us www.agriculture-conference.org/2021 changes in the outside world and inspired to take hold of and shape reality so that it is 27 February 2021, 8 p.m.: ‘Help for those by movements such as Fridays For Future or no longer something that simply happens who seek’. Sergei O. Prokofieff’s study on Extinction Rebellion - becoming more and to us. With the help of exercises we will Rudolf Steiner’s Fragment of a Spiritual more of a priority." learn to deal confidently with the unknown.” Biography. Lecture for members by Pe- At the digital conference Breathing With In addition to receiving inspiration and ter Selg (German, English): www.goet- the Climate Crisis, the joint premise is a sharing, artistic activity is a key feature. Art heanum.org/login climate concept that will bring facts regard- in this context does not mean absorbing 27 February 2021: ‹Mensch – Methoden. ing cosmic rhythms and the implications of knowledge or beauty but getting the soul Mut zur Verwandlung in der Mittelstufe›. the Anthropocene together with a view of to move in spite of outer restrictions, at a Study conference for middle school teach- the earth as a living being. Values that are time that suits people’s individual situa- ers (in German) important in this context are respect for tion. | Sebastian Jüngel www.goetheanum-paedagogik.ch/ver- the environment and the earth's biodiver- anstaltungen/arbeitstagung-mittelstufe sity, an ecological concept of growth and Ongoing models for a climate-friendly and Education Section videos (various lan- society. | Sebastian Jüngel guages, with English subtitles) www.goetheanum-paedagogik.ch Contributions on Covid-19 from the Med- Digital Conference Breathing With the Climate ical Section (German, English) Crisis – Ecologically-Socially-Spiritually. 11 to 14 Online-Kurs Beyond the Third, 1. bis 28. Februar February 2021 2021, studium.goetheanum.org www.medsektion-goetheanum.org Web www.agriculture-conference.org/en/2021 Image Human being and , photo: Goe- Image Poster design by Jasminka Bogdanovic theanum Studies 10 | Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21

■ Forum

Affirming the ‘I’› Representative of Humanity urgently in these challenging perspective of his time, when overcoming and Ahri- times. Please share your expe- he said, “Not long after the Rudolf Steiner’s suggestion for man – relates to the second riences with us! | Elke E. von year 2000 […] a kind of prohi- the first day in Class 1 in the day of school. This relation is a Laue, Niefern-Öschelbronn (de) bition of thinking will come Waldorf School was to intro- guiding star for the human ‘I’! from America, a law that will duce the straight line and the aim at suppressing individual Translated into colour Contact Elke E. von Laue, curve: I and C. In 1983, Hannah Forststr. 19, 75223 Niefern, Germany, thinking. We see the begin- Krämer-Steiner mentioned a [email protected] ning of this today in a purely little-known indication he gave Extract from a contribution to the materialistic medicine that has for the second day, “On the fol- Newsletter of the Section for the no place for an active soul and lowing day repeat the straight Performing Arts (Easter 2021). where, based on external ex- line and the curve, I and C, but Skizze Light and Darkness by Rudolf periments, the human being is Steiner (pastel, 1923), sketch: Rudolf add this: I C )-(. You can then Steiner Verlag Dornach treated as a machine” (GA 167, tell the children that they have Lecture of 4 April 1916). written their first word – ‘ICH’ [German for ‘I’].” Hannah Excluded Krämer-Steiner later on provi- Learning from Eastern Europe What we see now is that ded more detail (cf. Journal für Western Europe and the USA Waldorfpädagogik, 1/2020, p. What we see in the West now are losing their prestige, at 56ff.) by pointing out that the is the kind of collective stig- the spiritual level, too. Hate straight line (both vertical and Waldorf Schools exist on all matization that we saw in the speech and racism dominate horizontal) should be in blue continents. It will take some ti- Soviet Union at the beginning the social media and are dis- and the curve in red. me before we will have found of the 20th century and in Ea- played openly by public figu- a suitable story made up of stern and Central Europe after res. Facebook and Twitter put Guiding star for the human ‘I’ the corresponding sounds World War II. restrictions on views they de- The letter I has its home in the so that the respective word In 1989, the West rejected its em not to be politically correct. planetary sphere of Mercury, for ‘I’ can resound in every own renewal and as a result People may lose their jobs while the CH unfolds its effect language. Until then, Rudolf nothing new, nothing spiritual for expressing views that are from Libra, from the sphere of Steiner’s sketch on light and could develop. Now we are considered ‘bad’ by these me- the zodiac. In its uprightness darkness may be helpful. In watching as the spiritual free- dia, even in retrospect, often the letter I works from the in- the soft green we experience dom arising from Western cul- years after they were posted. side out, while we experience the power of Christ; it is open ture is falling apart and how It looks as if the West is paying the breath of the CH from the to both sides: the yellow everything needed for building now for the lessons it refused outside in (Rudolf Steiner: “the components in the green pro- a community is disappearing. to learn from experiences with breath of the Highest passes vide a boundary to the fiery communist oppression. How through me”). The essence and red above, just as the blue Threefolding as an antidote awake are we in the anthro- the effect of both sounds are components do to the blue- We in the East were seen as posophical movement and also reflected in the eurythmy purple below. On the second the losers. But we have lear- Society in our perception and figures, in the colour composi- day of school we first draw ned all kinds of things, first judgement of current develop- tions for thinking, feeling and the blue straight line and the from communism, then from ments? | Peter Takáts, repre- will: red curve on the blackboard capitalism. Sadly, many of sentative for Hungary again. A new picture emerges: our brothers and sisters in I: yellow-orange – red – blue the teacher applies red and the West decided not to learn yellow above and purple and lessons from Eastern Europe’s CH: orange – green-blue – dark blue below and in between a experiences of communism. purple large area of soft green. Into Not much has been done to this area, using a strong green, support , for German-speakers can simply he or she carefully places in instance, which, according to invent a little story to go with large letters the word ‘I’ in Rudolf Steiner, was the only this: the experience that there the respective language. Each alternative to Bolshevism (GA is only one word that refers to child then draws the phonetic 199, lecture of 7 August 1920). myself alone is powerful and symbols referring to his or her Today we witness minorities profound! ‘I’ on the blackboard. striving to monopolize public In the statue of the Represen- If you help to spread the con- opinion, forcing others to tative of Humanity, tent of the second day in Class withdraw or even bow down. and Lucifer are depicted on 1, in adult eurythmy classes, Everything that shares the sa- the left, working together in for instance, or among tea- me roots, the same pride, the the etheric world. This relates chers and at parents evenings, same cultural values, is rejec- to the first day of school. The children could be given the ted. Rudolf Steiner was descri- central image of the ‘I’ – the ‘I’ affirmation they need so bing this tendency from the Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21 | 11

■ Anthroposophical Society

4 Oct. 1950 • 7 January 2021 We have been informed that the following 114 members have crossed the threshold of death. In their remembrance we are pro- Eugene Gollogly viding this information. | Membership Office at the Goetheanum

At turns dynamic, enigmatic, Christa Jonas, Bad Boll (de), 13 January 2019 Francesco Canetta, Trecate (it), 14 February 2019 amusing, humble, serene, warm, Hugo Versteeg, Zutphen (nl), 16 June 2019 wise, alive - these words are just Vreni Gerli, Zürich (ch), 11 October 2019 a stumbling beginning of a de- Christina Kornfeld, Trosa (se), 17 October 2019 Gudrun Lother, Berlin (de), 23 October 2019 scription of Gene Gollogly. Rolf Cantaluppi, Riehen (ch), 22 February 2020 He began this life on Oc- Elfriede Altemeier, Bünde (de), 29 February 2020 tober 4, 1950, as the fourth of Susanne Jotter, Zweibrücken (de), 10 March 2020 Jacqueline Behr, Pierrelaye (fr), 12 March 2020 eight siblings in the village of István Kálmán, Budapest (hu), 11 May 2020 Guisborough on the edge of Reto Schatz, Les-Ponts-de-Martel (ch), 9 June 2020 the North Yorkshire Moors (UK), Elaine Bily, Bluffton us( ), 29 June 2020 Heinz Löffel, Hannover (de), 1 July 2020 nearby the ruins of the Augus- Johannes Wirth, Rüthi (ch), 3 July 2020 tinian Priory of St. Mary (1119), Anthroposophic Press Traudel Schaub, Reinach (ch), 8 July 2020 which may well have awoken a Not long after the turn of the David Hollweger, (us), 18 July 2020 Anna Heutling, Wennigsen (de), 6 August 2020 memory of monastic spirituality century, Gene, who was already Hans Gross, Stuttgart (de), 11 August 2020 within him. on the board of the Anthropo- Werner Huber, Winterthur (ch), 19 August 2020 sophic Press, took on the addi- Monika Meichle, Tamm (de), 30 August 2020 From Yorkshire to New York Niklas Hedlund, Stavsnäs (se), 1 September 2020 tional role of President and CEO Sigrid Garvelmann, Gaienhofen-Horn (de), 3 September 2020 His discovery of anthroposophy of this non-profit corporation. Helga Kopp, Berlin (de), 8 September 2020 and the work of Rudolf Steiner He had, in a way, come full circle Igor Dobrowolskij, Mytischtschi (ru), 12 September 2020 Yvonne Thomas, Ribeauvillé (fr), 17 September 2020 happened at a relatively young back to anthroposophical pub- Adolf Baumann, Zürich (ch), 21 September 2020 age. After his studies at the lishing. He has initiated the an- Gunhild Storch, Braunschweig (de), 22 September 2020 London School of Economics, he nual Spiritual Science Research Jutta Ciml, Freiburg (de), 25 September 2020 Albert Raestrup, Osnabrück (de), 3 October 2020 sought a place to offer service as Seminars at NYU, bringing the Siegmund Merkel, München (de), 5 October 2020 a volunteer and chanced upon name SteinerBooks to bear on Walter Kümmerle, Göppingen (de), 7 October 2020 the Camphill Community of the company (retired in 2018, Ulrike Widmann, Stuttgart (de), 8 October 2020 Beate Crüger, Berlin (de), 9 October 2020 Botton Village. At that time he but still involved in an adviso- Cassian Müller, Klagenfurt (at), 9 October 2020 recently lost his mother. He was ry capacity), and beginning his Siegbert Heese, Schnürpflingen (de), 10 October 2020 cared for at Botton, and the peo- tireless travels. Ursula Quednau, Schorndorf (de), 22 October 2020 Waltraud Ellgass, Stuttgart (de), 24 October 2020 ple he would meet there, such Most recently, and perhaps Jan Bouzek, Praha (cz), 3 November 2020 as Brian Rée, played a big role presciently, Gene had taken an Heinz Coers, Trossingen (de), 3 November 2020 in Gene’s life story. It was here interest in “Sacred Undertaking,” Christoph Hellmundt, Leipzig (de), 3 November 2020 Elisabeth Herzig, (ch), 4 November 2020 he first encountered the biody- the art and practical skill of car- Karl Schneider, Zürich (ch), 4 November 2020 namic agriculture, and here he ing for the dead holistically and Edeltraud Zwiauer, Wien (at), 4 November 2020 met the writer, researcher, and at home. He assisted in a home Günter Braun, Berlin (de), 6 November 2020 Hans Christian Christiansen, Laatzen (de), 10 November 2020 editor of Rudolf Steiner’s works funeral and carried the coffin of Veselina Radkova, Varna (bg), 10 November 2020 in English, Paul Marshall Allen an acquaintance the day before Axel Müller, Schlitz (de), 11 November 2020 and his wife Joan Allen. he himself died. Bernhard Johannes Kahl, Bad Emstal (de), 12 November 2020 Nicole Arvis, Montpellier (fr), 13 November 2020 Paul Marshall Allen provided Gene, as is well known, was Douglas Brookmann, Berlin (de), 13 November 2020 the connection to Bernard Gar- the proud father of four grown Erwin Maron, Romanshorn (ch), 13 November 2020 ber of Blauvelt, New York, real es- children and a world traveler Helmut Stocker, Wolfhalden ch( ), 13 November 2020 Johanna Berkowitz, Wilton (us), 15 November 2020 tate man and publisher. This was with an unrivaled endurance for Ursula Charrois, Niefern-Öschelbronn (de), 15 November 2020 the beginning of Gene’s lifelong the road, the , the train, the Suzanne Baumgartner, Basel (ch), 16 November 2020 connection with and love of the car. He was never one to linger. Graziella Christen, Zug (ch), 16 November 2020 Wolfgang Goebel, Herdecke (de), 16 November 2020 business of publishing. His, to us, hasty and decisive exit Maryse Martin, Chêne-Bougeries (ch), 20 November 2020 Requiring at a certain point, from this mortal coil was, in its John Gordon, Penzance (gb), 21 November 2020 better wages for his work, Gene way, thoroughly characteris- Martha Honegger, Rupperswil (ch), 21 November 2020 Hans-Holger Mallow, Hastings (nz), 21 November 2020 left Mr. Garber (on very good tic. | John-Scott Legg, Chatham Johannes Surkamp, Auchterarder (gb), 22 November 2020 terms) and entered the world of (New York, us) (with assistance Adelheid Evers, Basel (ch), 24 November 2020 New York City publishing where from Christopher Bamford) Karin Desselberger, Münster (de), 26 November 2020 Erika Heuschkel, Hamburg (de), 27 November 2020 he spent the next decades of Elsy Sturm, Basel (ch), 28 November 2020 his life working for various pub- Those deceased as of December will be mentioned in the next issue lishing houses. Later he met his of 'Anthroposophy Worldwide' due to lack of space. future business partner, Martin Rowe, with whom he co-founded In November/December 2020 the Membership Office at the Lantern Books, in 1999. Goetheanum registered 226 new members. 132 left the Society Image Eugene Gollogly, courtesy between 7 October 2020 and 21. January 2021 photo 12 | Anthroposophy worldwide No. 1–2/21

■ Feature

Pioneering project in the Thar desert

School instead of child marriage Monteaux India, one of the oldest human The Darbari Waldorf School started in 2016 and offers 40 ‘untouchable’ students, aged 5 civilizations, has always been a source of to 17, in four mixed classes the opportunity to have an education. Jacques Monteaux, the spiritual inspiration for the West, answering school’s founding teacher, taught in Waldorf Schools in for 40 years.. to a longing in the human soul. Its culture has given us Yoga, , Ayurveda and Jean Pierre Ablard What is your personal Monteaux It strives to bring back a sense other things. But modern India is taking a background? of dignity to these people and to educate different route. Rationalism and Jacques Monteaux In 2013, and with the them towards freedom. have become more important and religious support of the Friends of Rudolf Steiner Edu- Ablard Are you successful? beliefs are seen as traditionalist, as some- cation, I started a project that had long been Monteaux Parents increasingly withstand thing that is felt rather than consciously close to my heart: providing Waldorf Educa- the pressure from families and traditions experienced. tion to the children of one of the poorest and and allow their daughters to go through the Ablard What can do to most ostracized populations in India – the school without getting married first. The chil- help? Dalits or Untouchables. A former student dren love the school. And we have had recog- Monteaux The interest and open-minded- of mine lived there and had already done nition from the local and national authorities: ness certain Indian groups bring towards some preparatory work … in 2019 I was granted an award for the best anthroposophy and Waldorf Education arise Ablard What are the working conditions like? educational initiative in a rural region. from their approach of seeking to unite in- Monteaux The project is located in the Thar I live there eight months of the year, train- dividual consciousness, freedom and spir- Desert of Rajasthan, quite a harsh environ- ing four young Indian teachers. In the lan- ituality. This development is essential to a ment. This rocky desert with its scarce vege- guage lessons we have support from young deeply traditional society that is determined tation and extreme heat (between May and German and French volunteers. Thanks to by the caste system. What we owe to India July, temperatures can reach 50 degrees Cel- this diversity we speak several languages: today is a contribution from the source of sius) covers over 200,000 square kilometres Marwari (the local dialect), Hindi, English anthroposophy to the development of in- of Rajasthan and adjacent Pakistan. The arid, and French. I think we are under a lucky star. dividuals as unique beings, independently sweltering and simple conditions and great Ablard There must be setbacks, I suppose? of caste, gender, social status or religion! poverty contribute to the austere character Monteaux We were unable to prevent that of our target group, the Bhil people. This two teenage girls were married off and tak- ancient, now sedentary, tribe has preserved en out of school. It needs time for these tra- its connection with spirituality, a simple ditional practices to change. Such setbacks religiosity a far cry from the complexity of teach us humility and perseverance. . But their fatalistic in karmic law, the contempt poured on them by the Individual development higher castes in the name of Hinduism and Ablard Has the pandemic reached the Thar their poverty have led them to experience Desert? an inner sense of resignation. Monteaux It has hit India last spring, with cases rising exponentially. Schools have Dignity and freedom been closed since March 2020 – a disas- Ablard What does this mean for the chil- ter for children from poor and uneducated dren? families. The pandemic provokes a return to Monteaux This remote region has an illitera- old habits: many families are sending their Web www.facebook.com/DarbariWaldorfSchool cy rate of 70 percent. The children receive lit- children to work even though this is illegal. Image The school team at the graduation of four tle education, only five percent finish school. And the number of child marriages is going 17-year-olds (front row), with Jacques Monteaux For girls from the age of thirteen, school is up, too, particularly in rural and poorer areas. (second from right), archival photo: Manohar Kumari the only alternative to an arranged marriage. Ablard Does the West not have a kind of Image Intern teaching French, archival photo: Ablard What is the school trying to achieve? obligation towards India? Aurore