worldwide What is happening in the 9 /20

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Anthroposophy Worldwide 9/2020

Pause for thought 2 Healing humanity and the earth

Anthroposophical Society 1 The as a cultural factor 2 : Point and circle 3 Financial implications for the Goetheanum 4 AGM at the Goetheanum: invitation and agenda 5 Motions submitted by the members and the Executive Council Strengthening the Soul Because of Coronavirus restrictions the perfor- 5 Executive Council at the Goetheanum: Human orientation The Goetheanum mance had been uncertain to the last moment. 6 USA: Everything seems to be changing The condensed new Faust production, headed by 6 Egypt: Practical relevance as a cultural factor Andrea Pfaehler and Eduardo Torres, was an out- 6 Poland: Working on social questions standing cultural achievement by an ensemble 10 Obituary: Ernst Heinzer Up until July, during the Covid-19 restrictions, of more than 80 actors, eurythmists and stage 11 Obituary: Renate Sleigh the Goetheanum Leadership had several video technicians (stage director: Stefan Hasler). Armed 11 Membership News conferences with the representatives of the with a specific safety plan, it was possible to Anthroposophical Society around the world. It accommodate around 400 visitors for each of Anthroposophy worldwide was important to keep in contact while physical the three performances, who expressed their 7 Chile and Australia: Biodynamic farming meetings were impossible and to share informa- gratitude to the ensemble with standing ova- School of Spiritual Science tion about the spiritual situation in the various tions, some of them touched to tears by this 7 Newsletters: Sections, Goetheanum countries. festive artistic event that brought strengthening 8 Section for Social Sciences: Web seminar forces to the soul at such a difficult time (page 8). Human orientation series In addition to the officially imposed social dis- Goetheanum offerings in demand Goetheanum tancing, questions of social and ethnic discrimi- The weekly journal Das Goetheanum, the Goethe- 8 Stage: Faust is getting younger nation have been a burning topic for many people, anum’s media releases and online presence have 9 Logo: Joint presence particularly in the Anglo-American world. Public also been in high demand in the past months. statements were asked for and the Anthropo- Countless new subscribers and online visitors as Forum sophical Societies in these countries felt called well as the book published by the Goetheanum 10 Letter on Corona upon to express their views – especially as Rudolf Leadership on perspectives in the time of Corona 10 Clarification on authorship Steiner has occasionally been attacked in this con- (now also available in English) are evidence of the Feature text. Although the explanations vary depending Goetheanum’s importance as a cultural factor. | 12 Gender: When the body does not on the regional situations, the Executive Council Justus Wittich, Goetheanum express one’s true identity … at the Goetheanum decided to publish its own statement on the Anthroposophical Society’s human and cosmopolitan orientation on the internet (page 5, page 6/US). In July, the drama of modern humanity be- Image Anthroposophical Society: people working together whatever their background tween its spiritual origins and its responsibility for the earth was brought to the Goetheanum Stage. Web goetheanum.org 2 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20

■ Pause For Thought Rudolf Steiner Point and circle Healing humanity and the earth Ecological medicine In the evening, you consciously create with- in yourself the mood ‘God is in me’ […]. And Medicine has become alienated from nature: while earlier medical approaches found their in the morning, so that it shines out over remedies in nature, today’s are mostly technologically ‘constructed’, ‘optimized’ and ‘designed’. your whole day, ‘I am in God’. Consider what While these drugs are often a blessing, they are also an increasing burden on nature. you are actually doing by bringing these two mental images to life within yourself, Anti-inflammatories, analgesics, antibiotics, by letting them permeate your feeling life psychotropic drugs, hormone preparations – and even become will impulses. […] In the they are all found in the groundwater. Even morning you must think, ‘This is a circle, anaesthetics have an impact on the climate: this is a point’. You must understand, deep one hour of general anaesthesia can result in inside you, that a circle is point and a point emissions comparable to driving 250 to 450 miles a circle. […] Within the human being is real- in a modern car (Deutsches Ärzteblatt 117/25). A ized that the I-point of the head becomes new ecological thinking in medicine is crucial: the a circle in the limb-person, a circle which medicine of the future needs to unite the healing has been configured, naturally. […] of human beings with the healing of the earth. As you meditate, allow the point again and again to slip into the circle, expand Why do we get ill? into the circle, and sense, as you do this, Rudolf Steiner and posed this ques- forces. The word ‘meditation’ derives from the how the human organization of limbs and tion in their book Extending Practical Medicine Latin ‘mederi’: to heal. Meditation enhances the metabolism arises from the head organi- (GA 27). The cause for somatic diseases lies in the healing process in the fourfold human organism. zation. […] You are applying the theory of fact that we are beings of spirit and soul. Our Rudolf Steiner recommended patient medita- metamorphosis. being conscious means that forces are with- tions from early on. drawn from our organization that are needed But this new medicine also contributes to the for regeneration and recuperation. We know healing of nature. The way we think about nature Source Rudolf Steiner: GA 317 (Curative Education Course), lectures of 5 and 6 that mental stress, trauma and illness often go becomes its destiny. A utilitarian approach that July 1924. together. The downside of the development of understands nature as a complex mechanism human consciousness is the possibility of illness. carries destructive forces into nature’s life pro- Relates to Obituary for Renate Sleigh, in In nature, these life forces have not been cesses, while living thinking and moral ideals connection with curative education, page 11; the relationship between ‘I’ and world. awakened to consciousness; instead they work can enhance nature’s evolving forces and future in immensely wise ways in nature’s generative potential. Our spiritual and moral development and formative processes. This is why natural depends on the healing of both the body and substances – once they have been pharmaceuti- the earth. | Matthias Girke, Goetheanum cally processed and made effective – can be used ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide. What is hap- in therapy in order to counteract the weakening pening in the Anthroposophical Society› ap- of the human organization. We need to live in pears monthly in German, English, French and solidarity with nature: not only do we owe our Spanish as a supplement to the weekly ‹Das food to nature but also the forces that heal us. Goetheanum›. Publisher General Anthropo- sophical Society represented by Justus Wit- The nature of healing tich. Editors Sebastian Jüngel (responsible for the German edition), Margot M. Saar Healing promotes human development. The (responsible for the English edition), Michael central healing principle relies on human free- Kranawetvogl (responsible for the Spanish edi- dom: we can ‘relieve’ patients of disease pro- tion), Jean Pierre Ablard and Anselme Killian cesses with the help of therapies. According to (French edition; coordinator: Louis Defèche). Rudolf Steiner, the health-giving forces become Proofreader for the English edition: Amadeus effective ‘as in a reflex’. Healing is therefore -al Bodenstein. Address Anthroposophy World- ways human activity and a developmental step. wide, po Box, 4143 , Switzerland, fax +41 61 706 4465, aww@dasgoetheanum. The extent to which this step is successful or can com • We expressly wish for active support be taken up is determined, among other things, and collaboration. Subscriptions To receive by destiny, by the “wisdom of the higher self” ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide› please apply to (Christian Morgenstern). In medicine, the will [email protected]. Digital sub- to heal and karmic will come together. Matthias Girke MD, born 1954 in Berlin (DE), specializes in internal scriptions are free. As a supplement to ‹Das A new ecological medicine needs to look to Goetheanum› ‹Anthroposophy Worldwide› medicine, diabetology and pallia- the macrocosm and to the realms of nature, is also free. If the printed edition is posted to tive medicine. He has been head of the Medical Section at the Goethea- you directly, we ask for a donation to cover because there the healing forces originate that place themselves in the service of human num since 2016 and a member of the costs. Printed by Birkäuser + gbc, 4153 Rein- Executive Council of the General Anthroposophical ach, Switzerland. Design concept according development. The spiritual development that Society since 2017. to Karl Lierl, Unterföhring, Germany. © 2020 can result from esoteric training or from going General Anthroposophical Society, Switzerland. through an illness can enhance these healing Image Medicines also pollute the environment Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20 | 3

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Appeal for help PS: Because of our awareness at the Goethea- Financial implications for the Goetheanum num of the financial needs elsewhere in the anthroposophical world (which is why the The official lockdown of cultural institutions has also affected the Goetheanum. While there World Goetheanum Association was founded), were savings and reduced working hours, income has been missed out on due to events being we leave it to you to decide what your money cancelled. Because audience numbers continue to be officially restricted, the treasurer turns to is used for by adding the appropriate reference, the members in the following letter. such as ‘Rudolf Steiner Complete Works’ or ‘Croa- tia’ for instance. • During the Corona epidemic, a severe earth- Dear members, quake hit Croatia, destroying also the prem- ises used by the branch of the Anthroposophi- Each one of us has been affected by the Coro- cal Society. According to the physician and navirus. For some it has financial implications branch leader Darko Znaor, a minimum of and others, artists in particular, even see their 10,000 Euros are needed for their restoration existence under threat. (reference: Croatia.) The Goetheanum, too, is in a financial emer- • Following a successful start with many new gency situation and I am not sure yet how this volumes, the wonderful impulse to complete challenge can be overcome by the end of the the series of Rudolf Steiner’s published works year. Above all, it remains unclear how the cru- (Gesamtausgabe) by 2025 with the help of a cial stream of visitors from many countries will Surplus and deficit foundation (Stiftung Rudolf Steiner Nachlass- develop in the coming months. Can you help us verwaltung) is now experiencing financial stand up to this crisis? At the end of the first half of the financial year, difficulties because some donors had to with- the result is better than in the previous year as draw their support. We feel that we have a Economic damage far as membership contributions and donations direct responsibility for the publication of Here are the bare figures: on 7 July, at the request (+ 6.3 per cent or CHF 185,325) and the journal Rudolf Steiner’s complete works and would of the local government, the Goetheanum reg- Das Goetheanum (+ 2.1 per cent or CHF 12,153) very much like to help (reference: Steiner istered economic losses of CHF 625,560.11 as a are concerned; but we also lost 27 per cent of Complete Works). result of having to close its doors to the public income from courses and events (CHF 353,440) from 18 March to 6 June in order to meet offi- and 35 per cent from services (CHF 289,618). cial regulations. All events had to be cancelled, As a financially independent academic institu- including the Annual Conference of the General tion with a big stage, a resident en- Web goetheanum.org/en/finances Anthroposophical Society (with 400 expected semble and a historical building and campus, the members), the international conference of the Goetheanum must raise around one third of its Image Active despite lockdown: multilingual video School of Spiritual Science (350), the Early Years CHF 15 million annual budget from the services on Goetheanum exhibition of works created in Corona times Congress (850) and a number of events and col- it provides, one third from members’ contribu- loquia. The independent book shop, the res- tions and donations, and the final third through taurant and the guest houses also had to close designated donations and research projects. temporarily. If I look, on the other hand, at what has been While it was possible to go ahead with the achieved and developed at the Goetheanum, premiere of Goethe’s Faust 1 and 2, it had to on the stage and in the Sections, particularly be postponed and one Faust conference with in these first six months, I feel confident as the performance had to be cancelled. By restrict- treasurer, that the association of individuals, Donations online ing the audience to 400 and using a seat-inde- who carry the Goetheanum of their own free goetheanum.org/en/donations pendent pricing scheme, we had three sold-out will, will also master the challenging situation performances which gave us an income of CHF we are facing this year. Will you help us with Donation Bank account 366,000 (instead of the budgeted CHF 613,000). this? With profound gratitude for your continued (reference: Donation Lockdown) Costs on the other hand have not been reduced support | Justus Wittich, treasurer From Switzerland and non-Euro countries: and amount to approximately one million Swiss General Anthroposophical Society, Francs, as planned. 4143 Dornach, Switzerland. While study courses continued online and Raiffeisenbank Dornach, 4143 Dornach, many staff members worked from home, work- BIC: RAIFCH22, IBAN: CH54 8080 8001 1975 4658 2. ing hours had to be reduced by twenty per cent. Because the travelling and conference activities From Germany (with tax-effective donation of the Goetheanum Leadership and Executive receipt) and from other Euro-zone countries: Council as well as of invited lecturers came to a General Anthroposophical Society, 4143 Dornach, Switzerland, halt, we saved CHF 287,000 on travel and accom- GLS-Gemeinschaftsbank, 44708 Bochum, modation costs in the first six months compared Germany, to the previous year, but this also means a delay BIC/Swift: GENODEM1GLS, IBAN: DE53 4306 0967 0000 9881 00. in initiatives and impulses that will only manifest financially in the future. 4 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20

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Annual General Meeting at the Goetheanum between, from different angles. Musically, the programme is devoted to Beethoven’s 250th Invitation and Agenda for the AGM in October 2020 birthday, featuring Opus 132, one of his late quar- The General Anthroposophical Society’s AGM, originally scheduled for 2 to 4 April tets, with its slow central movement ‘Holy song at the Goetheanum in Dornach (CH), had to be postponed as a result of official Covid-19 of thanksgiving of a convalescent to the Deity, in restrictions. A reduced version of the meeting will now take place on 31 October the Lydian mode’. The composition focuses in a (Anthroposophy Worldwide 4/2020, page 1). particular way on the themes of transition and development and enters, in this programme, into Around the world the Coronavirus pandemic Please register dialogue with extracts from Marica Bodrožic’s continues to cause uncertainty in our daily lives. novel Das Wasser unserer Träume [the water People’s inner response to the crisis varies and With the currently required precautionary of our dreams]. depends on their individual situation. We would measures, tested successfully during the Faust The themes of transformation and metamor- nevertheless like to invite you very warmly, if it is weekends in July, the Goetheanum’s Main Audi- phosis are explored in a further contrastive dia- possible for you, to attend the postponed 2020 torium can accommodate 400 guests, separated logue that evolves between dramatically formed AGM of the General Anthroposophical Society into four groups of 100. Each group has its own scenes from El Cántaro Roto by Ocavio Paz and in Dornach (CH). It will be reduced to one day, entrance and exit and separate places where musical pieces taken from Kaija Saariaho’s Je Saturday 31 October 2020, but preceded by the refreshments are served during intervals. sens un deuxième coeur. (Tickets for this euryth- festive eurythmy programme ‘Threads of Light’ Registration opens on 1 September 2020. my performance need to be booked separately). on the night before and followed by the interna- Please use the form provided along with all the tional conference for members of the School of other information on the AGM in the members’ Spiritual Science, which also had to be postponed area of our homepage (_www.goetheanum.org_ and will be held from 1 to 6 November. (http://www.goetheanum.org/)). You can also Proposed agenda The original programme of the AGM and An- request the registration form by phone or in for the 2020 Annual General Meeting nual Conference for April 2020 (Anthroposophy writing from the Membership Office or the Re- Worldwide 1-2/2020) took its motto from Rudolf ception at the Goetheanum: The 2020 AGM will start on the following day. Steiner’s Leading Thoughts: To willingly unite with the world in love. In the morning plenary Goetheanum Saturday, 31 October 2020, sessions this theme would have been linked to Membership Office 9 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. questions regarding the needs of the earth (cli- Postbox mate and agriculture), health (a hundred years of 4143 Dornach, Switzerland 9 - 10.30 a.m. ) and the current inner Phone Reception +41 61 706 42 42 1. Welcome and opening of the meeting struggle of humanity and how it can be over- 2. On the hundredth anniversary of the founda- come. We had hardly sent out the invitations, Registration is necessary so that contact data tion of the Anthroposophical Society in Swit- when we were forced by Coronavirus regulations can be recorded and seats allocated. Members zerland to close the Goetheanum to the public. The ac- who wish to join the meeting spontaneously 3. The situation of Anthroposophy and of the tual developments put the envisaged conference will be allocated places on a first come first Anthroposophical Society – Executive Council theme and our inner attitude to it to the test! served basis, as long as there are seats avail- reports and other short contributions able, but have to expect queues and possibly The AGM as a place of encounter late admission. 10.30 - 11.15 a.m. coffee break We have of course learned now how to conduct Amendments to the agenda are possible de- necessary discussions online, but something es- pending on the situation. Up to date information 11.15 a.m. – 1 p.m. sential and nurturing has been missing from our will be available in the members’ area at www. 4. Developments in the School of Spiritual Sci- inner life, particularly in the Anthroposophical goetheanum.org under ‘General Assembly’. You ence and its Sections Society, without direct encounters. This is why need to first register as a member by simply 5. The Anthroposophical Society around the we find it important to hold this members’ meet- choosing ‘Login’ at the top of the homepage world: initiatives and changes; the inclusion ing, depending on the situation and conditions and following the instructions. of the Conference of Country Representatives we will find ourselves in at the end of October. Country representatives and members who in the Statutes We ask the members who will be able to at- are not able to enter Switzerland at the end of 6. Discussion tend to do what is necessary and act responsibly October or who find such a journey inappropri- 7. Presentation of motions from members (if in line with requirements. We hope that our ate will be able to participate in the meeting applicable) meeting will be informed by openness, aware- informally via livestream in German or English; ness and joy in tending to our shared concerns they will, however, not be able to vote. For online 1 – 2.30 p.m. Lunch break together. A written Executive Council report participation you also need to log in as a member. as well as statements from all the Sections of 2.30 – 4 p.m. the School of Spiritual Science have been pub- Eurythmy performance 8. Financial statement 2019 and auditors’ report lished in German and English (Anthroposophy On Friday, 30 October 2020, 7.30 p.m., the night 9. Discussion of the financial statement and Worldwide 5/2020, page 3) and can be accessed, before the AGM, you are invited to attend a fes- approval together with the 2019 financial statement, in tive performance by the Goetheanum Eurythmy 10. Election of auditors the members’ area at www.goetheanum.org. A Ensemble: their programme Threads of Light 11. Motion and discharge of Executive Council personal login is required. explores the question of transition, of the in- 12. Motion to the General Meeting to agree to Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20 | 5

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extend the Executive Council by adding Ueli Proposal (new wording in italics): Goetheanum Executive Council Hurter (former and future member of the «12. The Society is led by an initiative council, Goetheanum Leadership) consisting of a minimum of three members. Human orientation of the 13. Decision on further motions and concerns The nomination and extension of the Executive Anthroposophical Society presented to the 2020 AGM Council for a period of seven years are decided in On 7 July the Goetheanum’s Executive Council agreement with the Goetheanum Leadership and published a declaration on the Anthropo- 4 – 5.15 p.m. coffee break the Conference of Country Societies and require sophical Society’s human orientation. confirmation by the General Meeting. Extensions 5.15 – 6.30 p.m. for a further seven years are possible. The assign- 14. Commemoration of the dead and artistic ment of duties within the Executive Council The Anthroposophical Society is a cosmopolitan conclusion and its manner of conducting business are to society. It is based on a contemporary society of be regulated by the Executive Council itself.» individuals. Membership is open to everyone, without distinction of gender, culture, religion or ethnicity. Anthroposophy, founded by Rudolf Steiner, seeks to understand the human being Motions submitted Motions submitted as a being of body, soul and spirit. It sees itself by the Executive Council by members as a spiritual science and addresses individual freedom and self-direction, which recognizes 1 Following consultation with the Goetheanum As announced in Anthroposophy Worldwide and respects the other in his or her beingness. Leadership, the Executive Council is asking the 7-8/2020, page 4, it will be possible, in accor- The perception of each person in their individual- General Meeting to agree to the extension of dance with the Statutes, to submit motions for ity of body, soul and spirit leads to an experience the Executive Council of the General Anthropo- the AGM on 31 October 2020 in writing until and of oneself and of the other as emergent beings. sophical Society by Ueli Hurter. On Joan Sleigh’s including 4 September 2020. These motions will The Executive Council of the General Anthro- decision to not stand for a further period in office be added to the members’ area at goetheanum. posophical Society is actively committed to the see Anthroposophy Worldwide 4/2020, page 3, org and published (if necessary in a shorter form) plurality of the Society. It distances itself from and on Ueli Hurter’s appointment see Anthro- in Anthroposophy Worldwide 10/2020. all forms of discrimination and promotes social posophy Worldwide 1-2/2020, page 1. We would ask you to consider that, due to structures which have as their central concern the much shorter AGM this year, your motions the recognition of the dignity of human beings 2 Following consultations at last year’s AGM, can only be dealt with in a very formal manner and of the earth. amendments are suggested to the Statutes of and without extensive discussion. It would be the General Anthroposophical Society, Articles preferable to postpone motions to the following Perception and recognition of diversity 6 and 12, concerning the inclusion of the Con- AGM, scheduled for 25 to 28 March 2021, and to The Goetheanum as a School of Spiritual Science ference of Country Societies as an organ of the communicate with the Executive Council before- engages in the unfolding of cultural diversity, General Society and omission of the passage hand. | For the Executive Council: Justus Wittich, languages and forms, as well as nurturing dif- referring to an Executive Council chairperson: Joan Sleigh, Constanza Kaliks and Matthias Girke ferent ways of individualizing and living An- throposophy. In the view of the Goetheanum, a Article 6 is to be amended as follows (ad- humanity is realized in the perception of this ditions or changes in italics): «Article 6. The diversity, in its recognition and in the continu- General Anthroposophical Society has as its ous affirmative acknowledgement of the world. organs: The Anthroposophical Movement finds it re- a) the General Meeting alization in the worldwide institutions such as b) the Conference of Country Societies schools, social and therapeutic facilities, biody- c) the Executive Council namic farms, art training, hospitals, etc. These d) the auditors.» manifest the intention to promote humane forms of life in the respective culture and so- b Article 12 is to be amended as follows: cial conditions, which protect and nurture the integrity of each individual. It strives to create Before: «12. The Society is led by an initiative forms of life that correspond to the diversity council, consisting of a minimum of three mem- of the relevant people and cultures.| Executive bers. The nomination of the Chair and the ad- Council of the General Anthroposophical Society: ditional members of the Executive Council fol- Matthias Girke, Ueli Hurter, Constanza Kaliks, low proposals made by the Executive Council Joan Sleigh, Justus Wittich in agreement with the General Meeting for a period of seven years. Extensions for a further seven years are possible. The assignment of du- ties within the Executive Council and its manner of conducting business are to be regulated by the Executive Council itself.» 6 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20

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USA Everything seems to be changing In the USA, people are demonstrating for a non-racist world; at the same time schools are closed. Anthroposophical work is taking place online.

These past months, the main street of my little California town has been filled with white su- premacist and Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Egypt Poland My children cannot go back to school due to the pandemic, and our Society's annual conference Practical relevance Working on will be online instead of Portland, OR. The ten- The Sekem branch can continue its anthro- social questions sion is palpable. The momentum for change is posophical work despite Covid-19 restrictions The measures introduced in response to the unstoppable. Will anthroposophy change too? because its members see each other daily Coronavirus have led to a restriction but not Anthroposophical organizations in the US are anyway. to a standstill of the anthroposophical work, being deeply affected by concerns about racism. What is unusual about the situation of the which has focused, among other things, on As difficult issues like Steiner and race are raised, Sekem branch is that all its members live in the social questions. we can ask ourselves if we are listening to the grounds of the Sekem Farm. This means that we voices of those who are challenging us. We won- can meet for half an hour every morning before At the beginning of Corona, anthroposophists der if the practice of quoting Steiner with great we start work. We study texts and lectures by in Poland sought to understand the origin and reverence is distancing us from those who are Rudolf Steiner and others on a variety of topics. root of such diseases. The statements published seeking spiritual sustenance. We can look closely One of the Sekem branch’s main concerns by the Medical Section were seen as helpful, as to see if diverse perspectives and backgrounds is that our studies are always relevant to the were contributions in the journal Das Goethea- are represented in our organizations. practice and that our thoughts can be directly num. Anthroposophic doctors have translated applied in our daily work. Before Covid-19 we them into Polish and made them available to Bringing spiritual work to life used to have guests from the anthroposophical all members of the Anthroposophical Society. This time of difficult questions has created the movement across the world who greatly en- In Poland there were public discussions on perfect opportunity for daily action and applica- riched our branch work with their contributions. the meaning of the Corona crisis. Because of the tion of our spiritual work. In an effort to cultivate Sekem’s integrative health project has been many restrictions and warnings of punishments, new ways of thinking, we have launched Ap- promoted with greater urgency as a result of the mood was solemn. Suddenly we could no plied Anthroposophy, an online course focused the pandemic. We have found inspiration in longer have branch meetings and we had to on current events, biography, and four themes: the publications of the Medical Section at the postpone our annual meeting. We met online, Freedom, Love, Initiative, and Service. During Goetheanum and in statements by anthropo- for instance to study texts at agreed times. In this year-long course, the world will continue sophical physicians and friends all over the world. mid-June some very small groups took up their to change. The US with continued protests and Spiritual science has helped us gain an under- work again. a contentious election, will remain in a time of standing of the reality we are facing and of the Because of the increase in negative, destruc- turmoil. Open-mindedness is vital. signature of our time. tive impulses and the deep division of society, we Through trust in the being Anthroposophy Publications on this question are available in discussed issues that are topical in our country we can emerge with creative new forms open English at www..com/en/sekem-on-the- and across the world, in particular relating to the to new spiritual explorers who may question corona-pandemic or in German at www.sekem. new face of nationalism, and to aggression and Steiner's ideas, struggle to read his books, love com/de/sekem-zur-corona-pandemie. hatred. A quick solution is not in sight. spiritual work, but will not commit to just Our Class work continues in a fortnightly From 16 to 19 June we were able after all to one spiritual stream. lf we are confident in its rhythm. | Angela Hofmann, Cairo (EG) hold our 13th summer meeting, for the first time strength, we can bring anthroposophy off book- in Juchowo, not far from Szczencin, an impor- shelves and into this new world we are forming tant place for biodynamic farming. We looked together. | Laura Scappaticci, Placerville, CA (US) at nature and the impulse of development aris- ing from the Mystery of Golgotha, the Luciferic spectre of the past and the Ahrimanic vision of the future. In small groups we discussed social and threefolding questions and did painting exercises on these themes. A refreshing and invigorating experience! | Ewa Wasniewska, Tu- chomie (PL)

Web appliedanthroposophy.org Contact [email protected] Web www.antropozofia.pl

Image The Sekem branch in Egypt Image Representative for Poland: Ewa Wasniewska Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20 | 7

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Education Section Web (German) goetheanum-paedagogik.ch/newsletter Web (English) goetheanum-paedagogik.ch/en/newsletter

Waldorf Resources Web (German) waldorf-resources.org/de/newsletter Web (English) waldorf-resources.org/newsletter Web (Spanish) waldorf-resources.org/es/boletin-informativo

Chile and Australia Section for Agriculture Web (German) Biodynamic farming sektion-landwirtschaft.org/newsletter Web (English) The Covid-19 lockdown gave a lieutenant of the Chilean Navy the chance to get to know sektion-landwirtschaft.org/en/newsletter biodynamic farming in Sydney. His home town Valparaiso and Sydney are approximately on the same latitude, separated by the Pacific Ocean. Natural Science Section (German) Web science.goetheanum.org/newsletter On 26 May, HMAS Sydney, with the Admiral of “My soil is poor, we have no rain, and your soil Youth Section (English) the Australian Navy on board, sailed through is SO good – even on the paths,” he often said, Web www.youthsection.org/newsletter-signin/ Sydney Heads escorting two Chilean Navy frig- sifting it as if he was sifting flour. ates, Nos. 11 & 13, which had been purchased Humanities Section (German, English) Web ssw.goetheanum.org/newsletter from the Australian Government. The departure Compost heaps in Chile followed four intense months of training by 200 Francisco’s first job on his return (after a further Visual Art Section (German, English) Chilean sailors at HMAS Watson and the Naval fortnight’s isolation) will be to make ten compost Web sbk.goetheanum.org/newsletter College at Jervis Bay. It had been a dramatic four heaps, one for each family on the community, Section for the Performing Arts months during the COVID-19 lockdown, with a which is 40 minutes east of Valparaiso, the port (German, some content in English) 30-minute evacuation notice and 14 days at a city of Chile. Papiral is comprised of young fami- Web srmk.goetheanum.org/newsletter Sydney hotel when 15 crew tested positive, then lies, teachers in the nearby Steiner school, and a a further fortnight’s isolation back on board in public restaurant, currently non-operational due Section for Social Sciences Web (German) Sydney Harbour near Garden Island, followed to lockdown. Francisco and his wife, Valentina, sozial.goetheanum.org/de by a third isolation period after safety proce- who designed their mudbrick house, want to Web (English) dure training back at Jervis Bay, including the become more sustainable, using biodynamics, social.goetheanum.org ship’s doctor being unable to leave Chile due and learning more about Anthroposophy. to lockdown. The enthusiasm and work practice have built a deep conversation between in the global effort Goetheanum Box of books and intensive course of “Healing the Earth”. | Diane Watkin, Camp- Goetheanum Stage (German) On board was a large box of BD preparations erdown (AU) Web www.goetheanum-buehne.ch/newsletter and books being taken back to Lt-Commander Goetheanum-Newsletter Francisco Alomar’s community near Valparaiso. Web (German) goetheanum.co/de/newsletter On his arrival in Sydney, he made instant con- Web (English) goetheanum.co/en/newsletter tact with the Rudolf Steiner Book Centre, and Web (French) goetheanum.co/fr/newsletter began regular Saturday morning working visits Web (Spanish) goetheanum.co/es/newsletter with me at Glover’s Garden, which has been Studies and Adult Education (German/English) biodynamic for 14 years. Thus was established Web studium-goetheanum.org/newsletter a firm and friendly co-working time together until the unfolding drama stopped weekend leave. Francisco attended a BD intensive course and also helped bury cowhorns at the Equinox Web biodynamics.net.au workshop at Warrah Farm, Sydney’s only work- Image Enthusiasm and practical work in biodynam- ing biodynamic farm, shop and disability centre. ic farming: Francisco Alomar (detail) 8 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20

■ School of Spiritual Science ■ Goetheanum

Section for Social Sciences Web seminar series Stage Since 31 July the World Social Initiative Forum has been hosting monthly web seminars sug- Faust is getting younger gesting individual ways of dealing with social The Goetheanum Stage and everyone involved in the new production of Goethe’s Faust 1 & 2 issues. have made it possible that despite restrictions due to Coronavirus three performances could take place at the Goetheanum in July, each with an audience of around 400 – a certainly un- The pandemic has uncovered so many systemic usual, if not unique, achievement in Europe at this time. problems on a global scale that almost everyone sees the need for a drastic paradigm shift. “We Following the uncertainty in May, stage direc- at the Goetheanum certainly also belongs to human beings do not have to endure these chal- tor Stefan decided, as soon as the first easing our time. lenges – we have created them ourselves and of the lockdown was announced, that “We are The next performance on the second to last are capable, through the capacity of changing going to play!” The ensemble had taken the same weekend in October will probably go ahead with ourselves and our actions, to remedy the cir- approach all along: in individual rehearsals and a full audience of 1000. cumstances”, Joan Sleigh suggests. She is project with special shifts, the 70 ensemble members Friedrich Nietzsche, who in Beyond Good leader of the World Social Initiative Forum at on and off the stage worked towards this goal. and Evil reflected much on the dramatic arts, the Goetheanum. The precondition for this is a On 10 July the premiere could finally go ahead! referred to childhood as a ‘holy affirmation’. study of the interrelationships of the crises and For the first time, the Goetheanum is show- This affirmation informs Andrea Pfaehler’s ap- the development of concrete ways of dealing ing a production of Faust 1 & 2 that has been proach in that she tries to leave the actors free with them, which differ according to the local reduced to nine hours; for the first time the to find their authenticity. The same is true for context and individual resources. role of Mephisto is split between three actors Eduardo Torres, and this approach has made One person with experience in finding innova- and one eurythmist; for the first time a speech the Faust younger and – as some observed – tive ways of shaping social processes is Helmy choir of 30 voices is seen on stage; for the first created a younger mood in the Goetheanum’s Abouleish, the managing director of Sekem, time the union of Faust and Helena, in ancient Main Auditorium. This is partly also due to An- Egypt. Together, he and Joan Sleigh shared their and medieval times, is integrated with music drea Pfaehler’s work with young people in the experiences in fields of social and community by Elmar Lampson. And: for the first time since last eight years, drawing 2000 visitors to the work in the first web seminar of the series ‘Living Marie Steiner a woman is in charge of the pro- Goetheanum every year for the performances in between spaces – to enhance co-working in duction – Andrea Pfaehler, with Eduardo Torres of the Junge Bühne (young stage). the world’ on 31 July. It was the prelude to six directing the eurythmy. further events to stimulate a humane shaping of Standing tall in a time of crisis societal life among each other and in harmony Affirmation During the discussions with the directors and with nature and spirit. Other experts of the se- Christian Morgenstern’s words “Love what is evil performers three aspects were mentioned re- ries are Marianne Knuth, James Sleigh, Bart Van- until it be good”, chosen by Andrea Pfaehler as peatedly by viewers: the imaginative stage set mechelen, Joan Melé, Ute Craemer and Gerald the leitmotif of this production, permeated all and lighting, the freshness of the eurythmy and Häfner. | Sebastian Jüngel. English by Joan Sleigh rehearsals and is also tangible on stage. “I have the comprehensible speaking – as well as grati- known Faust for 30 years, but only now have I tude that this joint cultural event, rare in Europe understood that heaven is already present in in its richness and grandeur, was made possible. the prison cell,” said an experienced eurythmist. This Faust summer has brought it back to As part of the production’s integrative ap- me how much the Goetheanum as a venue, Web seminars Living in between spaces, 28 August, 2 proach, the performances were embedded in how much we all, need theatre – theatre on a p.m. CET, 25 September, 23 October, 27 November 2020, 15 January 2021, 4 p.m. CET, Facebook Live programmes presented by individual Sections of grand scale. Why? Because theatre shows and the School of Spiritual Science at the Goethea- teaches us to stand tall in a crisis. | Wolfgang Forum num, addressing questions such as humanity Held, Goetheanum World Social Initiative Forum, July 2021, Goetheanum in medicine today, new ways of dealing with Web socialinitiativeforum.org property and what kind of culture is needed to help us become more human. While these are Web faust.jetzt Image Ute Craemer, Joan Sleigh, Truus Geraets, Helmy topical questions today and anthroposophy can Image Free to be authentic: Ludowika Held (Gretchen), Abouleish contribute to answering them, Goethe’s Faust Bernhard Glose (Faust) Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20 | 9

■ Goetheanum

Logo Joint presence The Goetheanum as the School, building and home of the Anthroposophical Society lives in many initiatives, working contexts and Sections. In June a new logo has been released to give these various entities a joint presence (Anthroposophy Worldwide, 7-8/2020, page 6).

Thirty-five different logos are used by the the ‘new initials’ – inspirational drawings that Goetheanum initiatives and institutes. This kind can be found to the left of anthroposophical of diversity is an inherent quality of our cultural titles and texts. They bring a certain dynamic work. And yet, each logo needs to be recogniz- to the rectangular printing format, opening the able and, if so many stories are told, there is a book or page with a preverbal intention. The danger that the big story may no longer be heard. School Logo reflects the new beginning that was Just over a year ago, the Goetheanum Leadership dawning at that time, and the second building, decided to strengthen the joint identity of all then still in the process of being born. these individual entities by introducing a com- The versatile use and reproduction of the sym- mon logo. Wherever they present themselves bol make it more similar to what is today known publicly, from websites to stage posters, they as a logo. Up until the 1980s it was natural that can now use one easily identifiable symbol. individual projects designed their own forms and gestures in order to identify as anthroposophical. Why a logo? Today’s expectations of a universal brand are The “School Logo” designed by Rudolf Steiner in different. Historically, symbols (heraldic signs, 1924 for the Goetheanum letterhead is of course shields, seals etc.) tend to have a resting centre an obvious choice. Presented at the height of his that emphasizes an enterprise’s central, self- second phase of graphic creativity, it follows the relating ‘I’, or essence. In the School Logo, on simple lines he designed in 1917 for the move- the other hand, the centre is on the outside, ment for social renewal. This symbol belongs to protecting what it embraces. For , Rudolf Steiner proposed various above: new Goetheanum logo above: letterhead 1924 symbols that could identify the company brand below: Goetheanum façade detail below: design by Rudolf Steiner for pharmaceutical and function. The difference between an open- enterprise ing and a sealing, an address and a sender plays an important part. What is interesting in our lized geometry. The image that has emerged context is the transformation of a sign: from an shows the characteristic gesture of the Goethea- opening gesture to a resting one (see illustration num building: upward-striving, rhythm, subtle on the left). Precisely this quality is essential for transformation; three stages, a play of forms the way we use logos today: in random places on that mediates between above and below, be- the page or screen, unrelated to other elements tween distance and proximity. This final design of writing or imagery, very small or dynamically has been gradually introduced since the summer. large. This unfocused usage has increasingly re- | Stefan Hasler (Goetheanum Leadership), Philipp sulted in the logo becoming distorted or stunted Tok (Graphics) – its gesture reduced to a memory. We realized that Steiner’s design needs to be used in a more dignified way in the future: in appropriate formats and preferably for inspira- tional work. It will continue to form part of the letterheads of all Sections.

Implications In order to strengthen our joint presence and accentuate connections, a new symbol ‘wanted’ to be created; a symbol that can meet today’s requirements, from social media icon to minute cooperative logo. Finding the new logo has taken more than a year. In various working contexts, people de- signed and discarded until a condensation of intentions became visible: the building should be recognizable but not trivialized; the symbol should be compatible with the School Logo, re- flecting organic movement rather than crystal- 10 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20

■ Forum ■ Antroposophical Society

Letter on Corona Personal encounters are therefore 12 May 1927 • 15 March 2020 the foundation for fulfilling the We have got used to it by now: destiny we have with each other. Ernst Heinzer we look into each other’s eyes, The handshake is an expression of Ernst Heinzer was born on 12 May fold hands at chest height and the agreement made previously 1927 in Basel (CH) where he spent his bow to greet each other. We keep in the spiritual world, the visible childhood and youth. After study- our distance and communicate in- mouth of finding oneself in the ing mathematics, physics, chem- creasingly online. We wear masks speaking of the other, and the istry and art history he worked at for events or in public places. closeness stands for the karmic the Basel Steiner School for more What used to be strange and un- connection we have in life. than twenty years, first in the up- familiar in spring, is now the new per school, and later also as a class normal. Ongoing decision teacher. In the early 1970s, an ini- “This is a bother, but it is neces- The Corona crisis demands of us tiative started in Winterthur (CH), sary”, some say, while others call that we express, even in the most seeking to found a Steiner School embark on a journey of renewal af- it “nonsense”. Sensible minds trivial aspects of our life, in every and looking for competent and ter the breakdown of Soviet society. embrace both by looking for the meeting with others, how we un- devoted teachers: Ernst and Ursula Combining within himself spiritual middle between Ahrimanic hard- derstand ourselves. The means for Heinzer. depth as well as humour and op- ening and Luciferic levity. Behind expressing this are the physical The new school started at Easter timism, Ernst Heinzer succeeded the scenes of the public discus- gestures we use when we meet. 1975 with class 1 and kindergarten. in strengthen this courage. In his sions, Ahriman and Michael are When we are able to use them, Ernst Heinzer was the only class unique way he was able to bring fighting – one for ownership, the we experience them as real and teacher. More teachers needed to his experience and interest both other for the freedom of the hu- effective signs of our own spirit. be found every year. Ernst’s wife to adolescents in their maths les- man soul. If we are prevented from using was a great support to him because sons and as a class teacher to the “The soul is what it is able to think them, we can sense their spiritual she was able to step in, offer supply younger children. While he had a of itself,” Rudolf Steiner said in a significance and carry this into the teaching and give advice. She would clear understanding of the criteria lecture on 13 November 1917 (GA encounter. Whether or not we use later also take on classes again. required for an education arising 178). greeting gestures, sensing this from anthroposophy, he was also will help us as free human beings Optimism and a sense of humour able to meet with warmth and Renewal of encounters to feel protected from a pandemic Even at the age of 90 Ernst Heinzer kindness those who had different What do the personal gestures of materialism. | Cristóbal Ortín, remained astute, optimistic and views. His determination, at the age mean that we use when we Zurich (CH) witty. No one could write verses of 65, to support the building up meet? the way he did, be it for special oc- of this school was reflected in the In a lecture on 4 May 1924 (GA Clarification: casions, on class camps or as gifts. fact that he immediately started to 236), Rudolf Steiner describes The thoughts expressed in the His work was always inspired learn Russian, continuing the les- how individuals who are destined Newsletter editorial, of which the by his inner striving to root Rudolf sons for 16 years in a private course. to meet on earth, meet before, main aspects were printed in An- Steiner’s education in the world and I have often had direct experience of between death and a new birth. throposophy Worldwide 6/2020, help it develop and stay alive. With the continued thriving of the now During this meeting in the spiri- were those of Sebastian Jüngel. this attitude, he was able to support fully developed Waldorf School in tual world each lives within the many teachers in their own educa- Dnepropetrovsk. | Peter Lüthi, Basel other, encircled by the other. This tional endeavours and efforts. In all (CH) gives each of them the impulse to he did he was inspired by anthro- speak and act in keeping with the posophy. His work as a teacher, in other’s destiny. the branch and as a Class holder was The handshake used in many cul- deeply important to him. He also led tures when people meet, opens an anthroposophical study group up – and this, while it happens over many years, making it pos- unconsciously, can be experi- Korrigendum sible for its members to find their enced – the space for realizing An error occurred in Anthroposophy own access to Steiner’s texts. We this spiritually founded destiny Worldwide 7-8/2020 and three texts are grateful for the impulses Ernst on earth and closes it again when from the previous issue were print- Heinzer has given to our school. | we part. Speaking openly in this ed again. While the images were Alfred Bigler-Graf, Maria Kunz, Win- sense does not mean saying out correct, the reports from South Ko- terthur (CH) loud everything we have on our rea, Finland and Sweden were not. mind, but being mindful in our You can access the correct articles Supporting a school in Ukraine actions so that the other can find now at anthroposophie.org or order For many years, Ernst Heinzer made their destiny impulse in this meet- them at [email protected] it his task to promote and support ing. This closeness physically re- (please indicate whether you are the development of the Waldorf flects the mutual karmic interde- happy to receive the articles by School in Dnepropetrovsk (UA). The pendence that forms the basis of email. For a printed version please local initiative group there needed our entire life and development. include your address). Many thanks! much courage and trust in order to Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20 | 11

■ Antroposophical Society

We have been informed that the following 73 members have crossed the 3 December 1930 • 3 July 2020 threshold of death. In their remembrance we are providing this information. | Membership Office at the Goetheanum Renate Sleigh Anselm Tautz Herne (de) 11 September 2019 Ursula Klepzig Überlingen (de) 6 November 2019 Her parents met in 1927, in Ita We- Frank Zderic Ashland / or (us) 8 December 2019 Johannes Kelderman Den Haag (nl) 20 December 2019 gman’s hospital in (CH), Heike Ohler Hannover (de) 20 December 2019 where they had come to undergo Marcelle Didier Les Cheroux (fr) 26 January 2020 further training: Mathilde Maas- Karl-Gunnar Öhrner Nyköping (se) 18 March 2020 Herbert Winkler Herbrechtingen (de) 18 March 2020 berg, a nurse, and assistant doctor Betty Baldwin Beaverton / or (us) 3 April 2020 Karl König. Renate was born on 3 De- Margret Richter Neustadt (de) 4 April 2020 cember 1930, followed later by two Almuth Weidner Bonn (de) 24 April 2020 Grethe Gjedde Fredriksborg (dk) 28 April 2020 brothers, Christoph and Andreas. Paulette Wadsworth Paskal Fair Oaks / ca (us) 30 April 2020 Peter Rizzo Chicago / MI (us) 5 May 2020 Camphill Lora Valsi Huntington Woods / MI (us) 11 May 2020 Corinna Hartmann Hamburg (de) 13 May 2020 Mainly because of his Jewish roots, Back in Africa Eva Oliveriusová Praha (cz) 13 May 2020 Karl König was forced to leave Pil- John Kettle Richmond Hill (ca) 15 May 2020 gramshain (then GE, now PL) in While attended the Dietrich Klaus Bayerisch Gmain (de) 17 May 2020 Kristin Fischer Isny (de) 20 May 2020 1936. His wife and children stayed Priest Seminar of the Christian Anton Reissig Kempten (de) 26 May 2020 temporarily with friends. Soon the Community in Stuttgart (DE), Re- Inger Selsaas Haugesund (no) 27 May 2020 family was able to start a new life in nate Sleigh moved with the chil- Peter Soentgerath Bielefeld (de) 27 May 2020 Margarete Braun Tübingen (de) 28 May 2020 Vienna (AT), where in 1937 they had dren to Botton Village (GB); after Athanasios Lykos Athen (gr) 1 June 2020 another daughter, Veronica. When his ordination in 1965, they all re- Heidi Haselmeier Wuppertal (de) 2 June 2020 Austria was annexed to the German turned to , where they Louis Savier Saint-Germain-des-Bois (fr) 4 June 2020 Gregori Jaume Nadal Palma de Mallorca (es) 11 June 2020 Reich in 1938, Karl König fled to Italy, established the Camphill Village Hans Fürcho Wiernsheim (de) 12 June 2020 while the rest of the family stayed Alpha to the north of Galina Nekljudowa Sankt Petersburg (ru) 12 June 2020 at first in Vienna before moving to (now: Camphill Village West Coast) Margith Wagner Bayrisch Gmain (de) 12 June 2020 Helmut Pohlmann Ottersberg (de) 14 June 2020 the parental home in Silesia. and where James and Fiona were Ingrid Purtscher Hofstetten (ch) 15 June 2020 While in exile, they and their born. After the pioneering phase, Alfred Dörflinger Basel (ch) 17 June 2020 friends – most of them of Jewish Renate Sleigh took on responsibility Imme-Sophia Atwood Dornach (ch) 18 June 2020 Patrick Durand Valleiry (fr) 19 June 2020 origin – felt the wish to work with for all medical concerns, the weav- Paul Hodgkins Thornhill (ca) 22 June 2020 people with special needs. A house ing workshop and the cultural life Irmgard Neunhoeffer Frankfurt a. M. (de) 22 June 2020 was offered to them in Scotland. In in the village. In addition to that, Matthias Thun Biedenkopf (de) 22 June 2020 Dirk Arntzen Berlin (de) 25 June 2020 the spring of 1939 they moved into she was also in charge of a house Manfred Kraus Düsseldorf (de) 25 June 2020 Kirkton House near Insch where with adults in need of support. Sakari Kyhä Luvia (fi) 25 June 2020 they were soon joined by the first She brought as much devotion to Erika Müller Niefern-Öschelbronn (de) 25 June 2020 Lenore Ritscher Chestnut Ridge / ny (us) 25 June 2020 children and one adult with spe- watering the flowers and feeding Armin Gnadt Frankfurt a. M. (de) 26 June 2020 cial needs. Some of them were also the birds as to meditating and the Ermengarde de la Houssaye-Lievegoed Zeist (nl) 26 June 2020 refugees. reading of the Class Lessons of the Maria Godelieve Ryckeboer Martinez (ar) 26 June 2020 Hertha Schwarz Boll (de) 26 June 2020 From the age of 14, Renate at- School of Spiritual Science. Gisela Firgau Bad Dürrheim (de) 28 June 2020 tended Michael Hall Steiner School Renate Sleigh had the courage to Seija Varis Joensuu (fi) 30 June 2020 in Forest Row (GB) as a boarding stu- stand up again and again for what Karola Gassmann Porta Westfalica (de) 2 July 2020 Alba Link Winterbach (de) 2 July 2020 dent. She became a nurse and at- she thought was right, good and Verena Brixner Ravensburg (de) 3 July 2020 tended the Camphill Seminar where true. If that meant she had to en- Renate Sleigh Dassenberg (za) 3 July 2020 she met her future husband, Julian ter into discussions with someone, Jacqueline White Cresta (za) 5 July 2020 Marta Jörg Odogno (ch) 9 July 2020 Sleigh. then this is what she would do. At Nicolas Golovko Chambly (fr) 10 July 2020 In 1957 they started a new life in the same time she was open to new Gudrun Reiniger Stuttgart (de) 11 July 2020 South Africa. Karl König had been ideas. She questioned the tradition- Paola Barone Roma (it) 13 July 2020 Edwin Kaufmann Dornach (ch) 14 July 2020 asked to found a Camphill commu- al ways and was particularly con- Jürgen-Hinrich Volkmann Berlin (de) 15 July 2020 nity there and Renate Sleigh had cerned with the future of Camphill. Johanna Behnisch Stuttgart (de) 16 July 2020 always felt drawn to Africa. Support | Anne Weise, Dornach (CH) Joan Enkelmann Daceyville (au) 18 July 2020 Giulia Maria Crespi Mozzoni Milano (it) 19 July 2020 was needed in the newly founded Vera Mensinga London (gb) 19 July 2020 Camphill Community Hermanus/ Maria Pia Mò Roma (it) 19 July 2020 West Cape, a task they took on John Wright Glenluce (au) 19 July 2020 Angelika Altemüller Winterbach (de) 24 July 2020 together with Susanne and Hans Christiane Hübner Dornach (ch) 26 July 2020 Müller-Wiedemann. Julian Sleigh Louis van Panhuys Veere (nl) 26 July 2020 followed them a year later and he Rene Peña Piamonte Botucatu-SP (br) 27 July 2020 Mira Görler Aschersleben (br) in July 2020 and Renate got married in 1959. The Jean-Marc Dérobert St-Cergue (ch) 5 August 2020 first children – Veronica, Joan and Sonya – were born. In June and July 2020 the Membership Office at the Goetheanum registered 147 new members. 52 left the Society between 17 June and 10 August 2020. 12 | Anthroposophy Worldwide No. 9/20

■ Feature

Gender identity identity only when the topic was presented in When the body does not express one’s true identity … an artistic, Goethean way. Most recently I visited the Waldorf School Some children and adolescents feel that the biological gender assigned to them does not in Samara (RU). The whole upper school came express who they are. The Waldorf teacher and sculptor Christian Breme has studied the together. The students had only one question, phenomenon of gender identity for many years, asking how can support “What is it with this gender movement? How these young people. can we understand gender identity? We are confronted with it in the media. Politicians call Sebastian Jüngel Is the question of gender iden- it destructive.” The young people were grateful tity new or are we only just becoming aware for an approach that made such phenomena of something that has been suppressed for a more accessible. Then I met the parents in the long time? evening. Again, the same question was discussed vehemently. A doctor translated the outcome Christian Breme There certainly have always of the discussion for me: it is right, we should been children and adolescents whose gender overcome gender in the future, but it is too early. identity differed, temporarily or permanently, Our ‘I’ is not strong enough yet. from the one assigned to them. Today they ex- press themselves more forcefully and demand Authentic ‘I’ awareness to be recognized as who they deeply feel they Jüngel How do you think a spiritual community are. They are often quite distressed. should deal with this question?

Jüngel What does the fact that they feel so Breme Anthroposophy can explain these seem- strongly tell us? ingly sudden and new possibilities at a deeper level. My book Matryoshka is an attempt at Breme It is rooted in a previously unknown presenting ways towards understanding and authority of the soul over a body that is expe- homosexuality in the first years. I only learned resolving identity conflicts. As a knowledge- rienced as alien. We could call it an awakening gradually to perceive a latent homosexuality based community our working contexts offer that first manifests as a sense of not being at in older adolescents and to address questions us the space to practise authentic ‘I’ awareness home in one’s body. Did we not notice it before? regarding gender orientation in class when we and the unconditional acceptance of the other. Maybe we had to first get to a point where we learned about relationships. The question of are able to look at the phenomenon without fear. gender identity became more central for me Jüngel Have you ever had a key experience in We have to learn to support transgender children around five years ago when I visited other coun- connection with this topic? and their parents in unusual ways today. This tries, and also through reading. This space is now confronts us with new pedagogical challenges. filling with experience, with conversations and Breme I approach it as I do all problems that I individual destinies. And with great amazement: care about: I build bridges. A key experience? All Distracting from the ‘I’ in the end we are each entirely individual. encounters I had with young people or adults in Jüngel How significant is gender in your view on my sphere of life who struggled with their physi- the path to one’s personal identity? Cultural differences cal gender were moving: I was able to perceive Jüngel You have addressed this question with the ‘I’ in its authenticity. Breme The ‘I’ develops with what it connects to, different cultures. What differences do you no- as Rudolf Steiner pointed out in his book Theoso- tice? Where do you see something universally phy (GA 9). My interests, my goals, my studies, human coming to expression? my encounters, my work – they strengthen my ‘I’. When we look at others we should therefore Breme In 2013 I was invited by a number of not focus on cultural aspects, family, gender Waldorf Schools in the US to speak about re- etc., but on what they have decided to do and lationships. I visited a small school with five how they do it. We are still blinded by a person’s transgender children. That is normal today. In appearance, particularly their gender. It pushes the upper grades of the large school in Austin, itself to the fore and hides the active ‘I’. This Texas, ‘gender issues’ were discussed in depth deception occurs to a lesser degree when we in the lessons – at a time when we hardly knew look at children or elderly people. We can learn what that meant here in Europe. from this. In Shenzhen (CN), a city with twelve million people, I gave a workshop on sex education and Jüngel How has this topic changed for you over relationships. In China it is generally very difficult the last decades? to speak of our origin and sexuality because Web www.ikaros-matrioschka.ch there is a traditional sensitivity and reluctance Breme Studying the enigma of gender is part to unveil the mystery. Many people are also trau- Conference Mädchen, Junge, Divers? (Boy, girl, unspeci- of pedagogical anthropology. How do boys matized by the enforced abortions of the last fied?) 5-6 March 2021 Web medsektion-goetheanum.org/aktuelles and girls develop? What does puberty mean? thirty years. In the end it was possible to speak I must admit that I neglected the question of about special forms of sexual orientation and Image Behind the starry robe: a king