General Anthroposophical Society 2009 / 2010
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Contents
Editorial.........................................................................................3 General Anthroposophical Society USA...........................................................................................4 Highlights..................................................................................6 Free School of Spiritual Science General Anthroposophical Section .......................................7 Youth Section .........................................................................9 Mathematical-Astronomical Section . .................................10 Art Section ............................................................................10 Medical Section ....................................................................11 Natural Science Section .......................................................12 Pedagogical Section .............................................................13 Section for Agriculture ........................................................14 Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music...15 Humanities Section ..............................................................16 Section for the Social Sciences ............................................17 Goetheanum Goetheanum-Stage ..............................................................18 The Year at the Goetheanum . ............................................19 Finance Report .....................................................................20 Addresses ..............................................................................24
Publisher: General Anthroposophical Society Editorial: Wolfgang Held, Bodo v. Plato Translation: Peggy Elliott Editorial assistance: Monika Clément Layout: Johannes Onneken Printing: Kooperative Dürnau (Germany)
World and Soul Awakening
Editorial
Dear Members, As if something is seriously amiss with the four elements–earth, water, air and fire: major earthquakes, crushing tsunamis, and incessant flooding, devastating hurricanes, and brush, bush and forest fires in many parts of the world have reached epidemic proportions. This combines with man-made problems such as climate change, disease and epidemics, resource ownership and “‘Big world’ issues affect our personal soul life. World awak- distribution such as water and food, population shifts to major ening means an awakening in urban centres, migration and individual souls.“ population increases, and secuCornelius Pietzner rity and armed conflict issues. These phenomena converge into “tipping points” for society on a scale not seen before. They also seem connected. The sense of being overwhelmed and unable to fully penetrate causes often leads to reactionary responses.
Cornelius Pietzner has been a member of the Executive Council since 2002 and is responsible for Finance.
“Big world” issues affect our personal soul life. World awakening means an awakening in individual souls. This fundamental theme for Goethe: “Man knows himself only to the extent that he knows the world, he becomes aware of himself only within the world and aware of the world only within himself” was taken up and deepened by Steiner as a central theme of inner development. The essential question is to identify, develop and, above all, practise the connection between our individual soul life and developments in the world around us. To be able to do this in a relevant and meaningful way is to be a cosmopolitan citizen. Or in other words, it means to connect oneself to Michael, the guiding Regent of our Time. In the 3rd Letter to Members (3 February 1924) Rudolf Steiner says: “In Anthroposophy it is the Truths it can reveal which matter: in the Anthroposophical Society it is the Life that is cultivated.” This places us into a sphere where “the Truths” can illuminate and provide understanding to life’s complexities and circumstances, and the diversity of life can augment and contextualise these truths. Finding this balance is no easy task!
Three approaches that may help to hold this balance are: 1) Steiner emphasised the spiritual scientific methodology of anthroposophy, not as a fixed world view, but as a systematic approach based on thinking and knowledge (England, 19 August 1923). 2) The openness and tolerance that the Anthroposophical Society seeks can be understood in the sense of “To love ones action and live in understanding of the other’s will, is the fundamental maxim of a free human being” (Philosophy of Freedom). This is also an incentive to become a learning organisation that attempts to bridge the gap between the world and our own soul life. To embrace this approach, in a heterogenous global community, without losing specific spiritual identity, is a lofty aspiration for the Anthroposophical Society 3) In January 23 1923 Steiner offered the challenging statement that the Anthroposophical Society itself “needs to cultivate these six virtues”, referring to the Basic Exercises. These practices, transposed to the Society, help build a bridge between the individual soul and the world needs. After 100 years, social spiritual impulses require fundamental transformation. The General Anthroposophical Society is facing this task. The 2011 jubilee is a milestone providing an opportunity for thoughtful review, renewal and creation. Architecting and navigating the way forward, based on the accomplishments and foundation of the past, but with a clear perspective for the future, will necessarily be a significant focus for the Goetheanum and the Society in the next years. For the Executive Council at the Goetheanum Cornelius M. Pietzner
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“Three Reasons for Optimism“ – Anthroposophical Society in the USA –
Is seems that the American Society is being challenged on many levels. Is it? Torin Finser: The United States are confronted with a lot of problems, and it is obvious that the old solutions are no longer sustainable. Much will depend on finding a new way of cooperation within the American Society. That is what is demanded of us today, and I hope that we will be able to deal with it. You have written about cooperation? In my book “Organisational Integrity” I don’t outline today’s problem. Everywhere we hear what doesn’t work, what is lacking. I prefer to look at what does work. In this respect the human body is worth looking at. It is a riddle, a mystery of cooperation between different organs and multiple functions. All the diverse organs work together so success„If there was such a thing as fully. This is a fascinating study American Anthroposophy, it for me; for example to underwould be called „Anthroposostand the essence of the liver or phy at work´.“ the kidney. What do the organs Torin Finser tell us, how do they work? If I understand the organs’ collaboration, do I understand social processes better?
Torin Finser is the director of the teacher seminary Antioch/New England and General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in the United States.
For example: The liver is quite warm with 41°C. In a group of human beings this liver-energy can also be found. It means warming to a theme, moving forward. The lungs, in contrast, a cold, earthy organ, form a balance. The wisdom of the human body helps us to sharpen our diagnostic perception. For one, there are the apparent problems which are found on the surface, for example distrust within a teaching collegium or difficulties with parents. But we have to look deeper and find the underlying problems and work with them. Anthroposophical medicine has developed fantastic therapies for the human organism; they can be replicated onto the social organism. That is the area of my research Joan Almon, the former General Secretary, noticed that the present fear is uncharacteristic for the American soul.
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I agree with Joan. Fear is not a common feeling in the USA but rather courage or optimism; jumping in with both feet and asking questions later is what typifies the American soul. Worrying questions about the future are indeed new and the promises that the economic situation will improve have not been fulfilled. On the contrary: unemployment is alarmingly on the increase. The government has fed the economy with “sugar”, but that has hardly improved the situation. It is as if the problem has been passed from Peter to Paul. Everywhere credits are getting out of hand. Private households are in too much debt, the banks have incalculable liabilities and now the government, too. That begs the question: “If the measures so far have not been successful – what is the alternative?” I hope very much that those who have studied Anthroposophy will have the courage to now discuss these economic questions. What Rudolf Steiner has developed in relation to dealing with money and interest rates might now be heard. How is Anthroposophy developing in the USA? Here I am more optimistic than in the past. For the first time in many years membership is on the increase. That is promising as is the fact that the Youth Section is extremely active. Many young people attended the Annual General Meeting last October in Spring Valley. 40 young people in my working group had come to the conference without being members. Then there was a meeting in Harlemville with 60 participants. There is a generation of 20 to 30 years olds who ask after Anthroposophy, but in a particular way. It is a social, communal and practical approach to Anthroposophy. Finally, there is a third aspect of my optimism. We had a considerable deficit in our annual accounts. Only a few months before his death, Ernst Catz and I started an initiative. We founded a group for supporters who already donate 1000 dollars annually for five years to the Anthroposophical Society. Our membership contribution is 120 Dollars, but we asked for this high amount as a signal of encouragement for the future of the Anthroposophical Society. We started this initiative in May 2009 when the economic crisis was at its peak. Despite this, we
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carried this idea forward. Then Ernst Catz passed away but continued to assist the project. 54 people have now committed themselves to this. That is incredibly encouraging because it shows a deep connection and trust in the Anthroposophical Society. In some countries meditation courses are now on offer. Are they available in the USA? We would like to take the 2011 anniversary as an opportunity to deepen anthroposophical work. The meditation of the foundation stone will play an important part in this. I am convinced that if we don’t take personal development and meditation seriously, if we do not deepen our understanding of Anthroposophy and permeate it further, our outer activities will not be productive. We have set up so-called “visiting-speaker`s bureaus“. We are sending experienced members into communities which have no seminaries or working groups. They then work on the foundation stone over a weekend or a different anthroposophical subject like esoteric Christianity or the seasonal celebrations. Because membership in the USA is far flung due to our vast distances, such seminaries are very important. Members from Montana, for example, are only rarely able to come to larger conferences. With this new programme we are reaching the periphery much better. We are going to the people rather than calling them to us.
With 130 Waldorf institutions the USA come second after Germany with 219 institutions
What is the special contribution of Anthroposophy in the USA, what can Europe learn from American Anthroposophy? I would like to ponder a bit longer over this question. However, I would say it is the practical application of Anthroposophy in daily life. Americans like to implement things. They live with the idea but they like to see it present in the world. Therefore bio-dynamic agriculture and also Waldorf pedagogy are strong in the USA. Many Americans believe in what stands the test of time. To link esotericism to vital questions is probably more a Western contribution to the development of Anthroposophy in the world.
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Meditation and Encounter – Highlights from 2009/2010 –
One of the most interesting anthroposophical meetings was the well organised conference “Encircling Light – Expectant Silence“in Whitehorse, the capital city of Yukon/Canada. 200 people from 13 countries met in this solitary district in the east of Alaska in order to better understand the spirituality of the North. Debbie Allen of the Canadian Youth Section called it “a festival of human encounter“.
February Days: Study days for younger people with the collegium of the School of Spiritual Science
“All knowledge that doesn’t grasp feeling and willing to such an extend that it brings forth change, becomes a burden, even a danger,” wrote Frode Barkved, Danish General Secretary, and Gudjon Arnason, Country Representative of Iceland, during a walking tour in Iceland in the summer of 2009. The term “change” certainly hits the nerve of anthroposophical life. Many people are looking for opportunities and the inner space for change beyond the sphere of knowledge. A longing for change and development keeps the Anthroposophical Society young, even if the membership’s average age is rising. The key to a stronger force of change lies in the exceptional scope of the Anthroposophical Society. It relies on the individual, how he/she manages to develop his/her meditative life; also important is global networking. They encourage change of the inner and global soul life, and both are presently being promoted. In London, for example, a first cycle of all 19 Class Lessons was held in August 2009. In Brazil, Michael Mösch, the new General Secretary, wants to see more emphasis on meditation. His predecessor, Ingrid Böhringer, and members of the council of the Society, with the support of the Goetheanum Meditation Initiative, will visit individual regions of the country offering relevant courses.
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Hungary also hosted a conference during the summer. 300 participants met with Sergei Prokofieff and Thomas Meyer on the subject of the esoteric background of the Rosicrucian streams. The quantitative largest number of anthroposophical encounters is probably found in the one million signatures which the ELIANT initiative managed to collect for the political representation of anthroposophical initiatives. Besides excellent meetings, like a conference on the dignity of the child in Moscow, the Camphillconference at the Goetheanum or the Waldorf conference in the Philippines, eurythmy has emerged in new locations and has even taken a foothold in some. Here five examples: The Youth-Eurythmy Group of the San Francisco Waldorf School, led by Astrid Thiersch, travelled to India for a short tour. Formacion de Eurythmia de Santiago de Chile is the first eurythmy school in the Spanish speaking South America. 15 students finished their first year of training in 2009. The Eurythmy-Ensemble Aurora Australis from Australia toured China in spring. In Beijing 1100 people watched their “Southern Light“ programme. “Eurythmy can convert Chinese hearts,“ cited Birgit Lugosi from Melbourne based on an actress from Guangzshou. In one of the most beautiful spots in Europe a further Eurythmy-School has started: It is now available as part of the Waldorf Teachers’ Training on Grand Canary. In the autumn of 2009 Paul Mackay set three conditions for a culture of the heart: contemplation, new forms of celebration and fitting communication or encounter. The paths of meditation and the many forms of encounter point into this direction.
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Space for Supersensible Experience – General Anthroposophical Society –
One of the most productive areas of work at the Goetheanum at present is the field of “Study and Further Education”. Over the past ten years a rich programme of courses and development opportunities has grown out of courses and colloquia by invitation, which brings the idea of an academy at the Goetheanum closer to home. But maybe we first take a look back.
Robin Schmidt, since 2002 leader of the Research Centre for Cultural Impulse at the Goetheanum and co-worker of the Anthroposophical General Section.
offers are introductory events in Anthroposophy for co-workers of businesses with an interest in Anthroposophy. Many people who have not met Anthroposophy so far but would like to get an insight are drawn to these. Such events were on offer before, but they were dependent on the initiative of individuals. Together with BCL Bank we have developed a concept. Such courses have their own particular characteristic as some of the participants are only there because they have been sent by their company rather than attending out of their own interest. The courses have to allow personal freedom and yet lead to the essence of Anthroposophy – that is a challenge. We are still gaining experience. 2011 it will be published as a programme.
Robin Schmidt: Ten years ago, Heinz Zimmermann and I started to re-develop the foundation studies at the Goetheanum. Prior to this there existed the study year founded by Georg Gölzer, which wasn’t called the “Gölzer Year“ for nothing. It was strongly tailored on one person. Shortly afterwards Viginia Sease began with her English Studies. Added to this were individual weekend seminaries on inner culture and the That sets the scene. What are the next plans? transition from anthroposophical studies to a personal meditation culture. All this happened We want to concentrate on the inner sincerity without much publicity and hence it was pro- of the courses. This includes a widening the cartected. Five years ago, a course programme was rier circle. The pioneering phase, which demands added, an outline for a future study guide. New familiarity, has now been surpassed. That makes was also the student pass which allowed stu- the work between colleagues more demanding and includes spiritual sciendents to participate in many of tific research to find out how the Section events at a reduced “How do we get from sometransformations into what is rate. Then a new constellation one interpreting Rudolf Steiner alive, etheric, can be brought arose with Edda Nehmiz and for me to entering the procinto the course work. A course Oliver Conradt. Elizabeth Wiress of which Rudolf Steiner then not only serves to convey sching and Bodo v. Plato also speaks?“ context, but it becomes a procbecame involved. We started to ess in itself. What does such structure the courses and stud- Robin Schmidt transformation into what is ies into foundation and postalive look like, for example in foundation levels and introduction and advanced courses. A third step was the a philosophical course or in an eurythmy lesson combination of free study forms. The students or in a course with a natural scientific theme? follow their studies in dialogue with co-workers Obviously, many course leaders manage this intuitively, but if we want to objectify this, we need in the Sections. cooperation, share reviews and research. We beWhat about vocational studies? lieve that the reason behind coming to a course Parallel to what has been said a vocational of- at the Goetheanum is ultimately to find access fer runs with a series of weekend courses called to one’s own higher being. There we can act as “Foundations of Anthroposophy“. This started intermediary. in autumn with a good response. The course The focus, therefore, is always on context, and “Inner Life and Meditation” takes place for the the course leaders also attend classes. It can be second time this year. The demand is large. The difficult to find a relationship to the spiritual for latest additions to this panorama of educational a “spiritual scholar”. This differs from person to
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person, and therefore one cannot only convey context but one has to relate to each individual. That affects community building. Groups based on age are limited. Is the study of the foundations of Anthroposophy always at the centre? Yes, and they can be taken up before, during or after the tuition. Anthroposophical vocational training has become more professional over the past years. Demands in the professional fields have increased. That is one reason why training is more concentrated on the subject, and increasingly the Goetheanum is being asked whether we can add tuition of the foundations of Anthroposophy to the vocational training. That is a really interesting field which leads us to new relationships. Until now “Study and Further Education“ has included other areas. Will this continue? We have to extend carefully. Study quality arises from people being there for people. One has to remain free for this task and be willing to lead personal conversations outside course work and to accompany study projects. Of course we also want to be economically more independent. At the same time the close relationship to the Sections makes it possible that Section co-workers understand their involvement here as part of their training. We are also developing a concept where lecturers combine personal study at the Goetheanum with a course they lead. For two years now House Schuurman has been the home of the Study Department. Shouldn’t spiritual scientific studies be housed at the Goetheanum? It is great that we have a physical home and if the area of “Study and Development” grows
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further, we will soon have to look at other possibilities. I see the Goetheanum, also as a building, primarily as a place of initiation. And of course, there should be people who, together with others, create spaces through which they can enter into the sphere of the spirit. And this is, if I may be so immodest, our task. What have we not discussed yet? English Studies. This, by now two year English programme within the study guide, has also developed and has now become especially important because the work at Emerson College comes to a close this year. That is regrettable. Therefore, at the moment, there is no other place in the world, where a full time foundation course in Anthroposophy in English is being offered. Virginia Sease has developed this study programme and now here too the question arises for a group of effectively working lecturers. I think it is important to mention what has happened in the background: Over the past years we have established a secretariat which looks after the students. Yvonne Schmidt-Heyerhoff was responsible for much of the setting up. Mauro Fenu is now the manager. It is also part of the constellation, that there are co-workers who understand the organisation as part of the whole department and who contribute to an efficient and beautiful atmosphere. Again it is about a human constellation and what lies in the relationships. Everything depends on the human constellation.
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“One Can Learn from Everyone“ – Youth Section –
“It is about awakening in the poetic nature of the other being, that means in that part of his personality that has not really become visible as yet but does so through my ability to see.“ This is how John Stubley from the Youth Section collegium describes the task or expectation of many young people who come into contact with the Youth Section. Probably all initiatives follow this theme of enabling oneself, with and through fellow human beings, for spirituality and the world. In spring 2009, the fourth “Connect“conference took place. Again, classes 12 from all over the world were invited for one “When I came to the Goethea- week. What was new was that the invited classes arrived num I said to myself that the Youth Section should not grow with their own projects at the Goetheanum. “It was possible in Dornach but in the world.“ to participate in a workshop Elizabeth Wirsching run by the students,” says Katie Dobb, “and one changed from being conference organiser to being a student.” That was a symbol of the whole year. One can learn from everyone. It is an ongoing exchange.
Elizabeth Wirsching made the Youth Section into an international network of young people during her ten years of leadership. 2011 she wishes to pass this on to other hands.
In the summer followed a meeting in Järna entitled “360Degrees“. Here, too, mutual awareness stood at the centre, which can grow into shared concern. Elizabeth Wirsching describes it similarly: “It is about discovering each other. I feel it is a gift that this generation brings to our society. In Katie’s words: It is a special warmth.” To discover what is unique in the other presupposes awareness of one’s own uniqueness, one’s own task. Martin Stenius: “The summer conference showed that it is less about absorbing knowledge, and more about participation in cognitive processes.“ Young people ask “what are the conditions to build a camp-fire?“ “Interest, enthusiasm, sincerity and trust,“ replies John Stubley, and Martin Stenius adds: “including everyone and: not the context but the space has to be prepared. Context is brought about by the people.“
with 40 people from all over the world on ‘How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds.’ Per e-mail we regularly exchange experiences in order to meet again next year.” This “follow-up“ is one of the most important tasks of the Section. Elizabeth Wirsching: “Young people travel and arrive at a station. Maybe there is time for a coffee, and then a small wonder happens. For many our house here becomes an important station on their journey. But, we don’t want to grow too large. It should remain non-bureaucratic, alive. What is meant to grow, and of course it does, are the Youth Sections in the countries.” What concerns do we have? “The economic situation plays an important part in all event planning. But also the economics of live often pose questions,” replies Elizabeth Wirsching, and Katie Dobb replies: “How do I mirror my financial situation in my inner and outer work?“
Concerning the work of the Youth Section, it is not that it ends with encounter but starts with it. From the meetings anthroposophical or charitable initiatives arise which have to be nurtured. Martin Stenius: “We had a working weekend
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“Strong and Harmonious“
From Recognition to Dialogue
– Mathematical-Astronomical Section –
– Art Section –
In hardly any scientific sphere except projective geometry can one experience so directly the need for courage and bravery in thinking in order to discover new frontiers; and sometimes one can feel on shaky ground. Whilst for the life of imagination the infinite appears as an abyss, the boundless becomes familiar in this geometric thought form. Occupation with projective geometry soon leads to a second revelation. Thinking is not a representation of reality which also exists without human involvement, but only through human thinking can the world become fully real. This thought is not academically abstract but touches the fundamental question of what is man. Therefore the coworkers of the Mathematical-Astronomical Section “Mathematics is like a large engage in the development city. There are streets, intricate and spread of this type of gepaths and bold bridges; some ometry. still undiscovered. The most beautiful building in the centre of the picturesque part of town, however, is the strong, harmoniously structured castle ‚Projective Geometry’.“
Fortunately there were three publications in 2009: Alexander Stolzenberg wrote an important text book giving a large amount of assignments Alexander Stolzenburg in projective geometry for schools. In addition, Gerhard Kowol, a mathematician from Vienna, published an introductory volume on projective geometry as a result of a research residency in the Section. It was published by a university publisher and thus found its way into mathematics lecture rooms. And finally, Oliver Conradt Oliver Conradt, published his studies on algebraic adaptation Physician and of projective geometry. Pedagogue. Leader of the MathematicalAstronomical Section since 2005.
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Over the past two years the International Conference for math teachers has been looking at ways forward. The whole educational system has been considered. During the conference in 2010, exchange about the different teaching methods was at the centre. In particular the new research area of dyscalculia, a math disability, asks for penetration with anthroposophical knowledge of man.
This year’s annual conference of artists connected to the Section, held in the Netherlands, had the title “Art as Schooling Path – Schooling Path as Art“. The 130 participants worked with the meditative dimension within the artistic process. Looking at art today was an important part of the conference, says Mechthild Theilmann from the Section. The key for the Section’s increased dialogue with other artists probably lies in the engagement with today’s artistic sphere. In the field of architecture this has been successful in many places. Following the Architectural Exhibition in Berlin (2006), the International Forum for Man and Architecture and the Karoly Kos Society held a conference on organic architecture in Budapest in 2009. At the same time an exhibition of organic architecture was hosted at the local Museum for Contemporary Art. Thanks to the initiative of the architect Imre Makovecz, an organic architecture has developed in Hungary throughout the seventies and eighties which is recognised far beyond national boundaries. His structures, from motorway service stations to city halls and churches, display a strong link to the locality and a special relationship to original natural forms. This shared conference enabled new dialogue despite contextual differences between the Hungarian group and some anthroposophical architects. It was also marvelous that Lucien Kroll, Peter Hübner and Gregory Burgess, internationally renowned architects, and Peter Blundell Jones, Professor of Architecture in Sheffield, as representatives of contemporary architecture, were able to attend.
Ursula Gruber has been Leader of the Section since 2006. She is taking a sabbatical between February and Summer 2010.
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Health and Community – Medical Section –
„Since its founding Anthroposophical Medicine has been marked by a tense relationship between supply and demand. Hence it is a core responsibility of the Medical Section to ensure that the Anthroposophical Medical Movement worldwide grows into a healthy working community in order to face its tasks better.” Michaela Glöckler
Michaela Glöckler has been Leader of the Medical Section for 21 years
This is how Michaela Glöckler views the most important task of her section leadership over the past 21 years. The annually 55 conferences, colloquia and meetings of the Medical Section at the Goetheanum also serve this goal, so that “not only knowledge but also the opportunity for direct exchange on development perspectives is offered to the various professional streams,” says Roland Tüscher, Section Conference Manager. The annual conference of the Medical Movement in September 2009 was a key event. For the first time the subject “Oncology”, a disease of our civilization and its anthroposophical therapy, was at the centre. The report by Mathias Girke, Havelhöhe Clinic, on individual stages of terminal care for cancer patients showed how Anthroposophy enables an insight into destiny and with it a way of responding to it responsibly. The contributions by participants brought about a moment of deep insight into the spiritual depth of Anthroposophical Medicine. Such shared experiences can never be replaced by a “visionary work process”. For a community to be effective it also requires a consciousness about its inner forms, the way it is managed and administered. This is even more important in an environment as complex as that of Anthroposophical Medicine which stretches from curative pedagogy to artistic therapies, from physiotherapy, nursing, curative eurythmy and the production of remedies to medical core tasks in hospitals and surgeries. Therefore the council of the Medical Section, “IKAM“ (Internationale Koordination Anthroposophische Medizin), has informed itself on management styles and ideals of community building and development, where the individual remains free in his/her initiative, yet at the same time combined action and responsibility are made possible. How much this matters to those responsible can be seen in the fact that typical obstructions to successful leadership cultures,
like pontifical attitudes, unacceptable, one-sided loyalty and collective idealisation, are also listed besides the indications aimed for, as given by Rudolf Steiner from his own experience: 1. Interpretation, i.e. recognition and acknowledgment of competence 2. Trust in the individual to whom tasks have been delegated 3. Democratic culture and a brotherly ethos within the team 4. Self-determination and accountable representation Two concerns and their answers: Many anthroposophical doctors are going to retire within the next few years. The problem of succession is taken onboard by the German and international network of those in training through a renewal and intensification of activities in the area of further education. The “International Postgraduate Medical Training“ programme of the Medical Section, too, assists by an increasing number of worldwide further education weeks (www.medsektion-goetheanum.ch). Although the referendum vote on 17th May for a „yes to complimentary medicine” was a great success, and the current number of signatures for the Eliant Campaign with 950.000 looks positive, free choice of therapy and remedy are still threatened. Here a lot more work has to be done on a professional and social level in order to safeguard the position of Anthroposophical Medicine in Europe.
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The Impulse of Perfection – Natural Science Section –
“The Darwin Year 2009” represented a beginning and an end for the theory of evolution,” summarises Johannes Wirz, Biologist in the Natural Science Section the conferences and publications commemorating the anniversary of Darwin’s publication of his momentous work “Origin of Species“. Looking back at his deliberations about the evolution of life, beginning and end lie in the fact that today other mechanisms are recognised than the classical motivations of coincidental variation and selection. If one repeatedly continues to breed animals displaying a gentler characteristic from a litter of silver foxes, the animals not only become tame, but also develop “Every living being posses smooth fur, a shorter snout and the impulse of perfection they begin to bark. Not only right down to the level of its one characteristic changes, but genes.“ the complete appearance, the Johannes Wirz identity. Especially the much talked about genome project has led to new insights on the plasticity of genes. Every organism works continuously with its genes. It is not a finished programme. From the results of modern research one re-approaches the totality of the organism. Ruth Richter and Johannes Wirz were able to demonstrate something similar with the genome project at the research institute of the Natural Science Section. The artificial implantation of the resistance gene into potatoes leads to a wideranging change of the plant. The result is important for critics of gene technology because it proves that it is impossible to change individual Johannes Kühl characteristics without also affecting the integhas been Leader rity of the whole organism. of the Natural Science Section for 14 years. Prior to this he taught Physics in Stuttgart.
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To observe ongoing discussions within the theory of evolution and to enlighten it from an anthroposophical viewpoint belongs to the Section’s tasks. “It is estimated that today 30% of genetic modifications are controlled by so called epigenetic processes. Obtained characteristics are genetically fixed and thus transmitted”, concludes Johannes Wirz from his exchange with Eva Lablonka (University of Tel Aviv). Until now this type of transmission was considered impossible, although cultural evolution ensues this type of
development. The evolution of human communities would be unthinkable without passing on acquired characteristics. Unfortunately, the two planned conferences on evolution had to be cancelled due to insufficient participants, or rather, had to be changed into a colloquium.
The basic experiment with the multi-edge spectra; the complementary colours are visible on the wall
A further area of research for the Section is light, where Matthias Rang works in cooperation with Johannes Kühl and the cultural scientist Tony Hildebrandt. An exhibition with works on Goethe’s Theory of Colour links to this. The 200th anniversary of his description of colour is in Summer 2010. A conference entitled “Life of Colour – Colour of Life“ and an interactive exhibition with the assistance of the “Friends of the Goethean Theory of Colour” and “Goethe Experimental“, Goethe’s scientific achievements in this field are being exhibited. With Matthias Rang’s research project, a split, multi-edge spectra, not only interesting for pedagogy, was developed which shows the complementarity relationship between prismatic colours found in Newton’s classical experiments, hitherto not possible. The project has been registered as a dissertation within the Section. The Section co-workers are particularly happy that the summer university in cooperation with the Section for Agriculture is becoming increasingly popular, also on an academic level. The education of young scientists in a holistic, sustainable “Science of Life” is not only of relevance for the future within an anthroposophical sphere.
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Pedagogy Put to the Test – Pedagogical Section –
Education is becoming increasingly important. Not a month passes by when questions about upbringing and education are not on the public’s mind and the daily and weekly press carry articles or special editions about schools and the right educational system. How does Waldorf Pedagogy meet this development? “Autonomous schools which are actively engaged in pedagogy are on the increase. At the same time there is a danger in Waldorf schools to rest on one’s laurels. Habits have become rigid, outer forms, as for “The Section can only funcexample the nature table in the tion when one recognises lower classes, seen as symbol that it is a centre for research which benefits the pedagogical of anthroposophical pedagogy, is overrated and hinders new praxis.“ developments. A fresh conChristof Wiechert sciousness impulse is needed to gauge pedagogy along the lines of Knowledge of Man, or, as Rudolf Steiner called it, a consciousness of a new psychology. Waldorf pedagogy means a paradigm shift of all that has existed in pedagogy before. This feature of anthroposophical pedagogy begins to breath when, within it, renewal becomes the daily bread of the consciousness of the teacher and his/her actions.
Christof Wiechert has been Leader of the Pedagogical Section for nine years and is planning to hand it over in 2011.
The Section’s programmes in further education stretch from weekend seminaries in meditation for teachers, to courses on child observation and study weekends on Rudolf Steiner’s Knowledge of Man. A new initiative is inviting a whole teaching collegium of a school to come to the Goetheanum for study days and an exchange with Christof Wiechert and other coworkers of the School of Spiritual Science. Two Swiss and three German schools have already made use of this offer. “If we wish to correct errors of Waldorf pedagogy, which we continue to lovingly nurture, we have to attend courses.” This insight led to colloquia with pedagogically responsible seminary leaders and educators.
International Conference of Waldorf Schools (Hague Circle) put together a “characterisation of its most essential features” on behalf of the Pedagogical Section in November 2009. Here some of its central points: • Knowledge of man forms the basis for Waldorf pedagogy. • A Waldorf school is a uniform and inclusive schooling model from pre-school to leaving school. • It is based on a child’s age related development needs and takes into account cultural diversity. • Teachers require Waldorf specific training and feel responsible for appropriate self- and further education and collegial cooperation. • Every teacher is personally responsible for his/ her lessons and is answerable for it within the community. • The kindergarten establishes the basis for vitality and interest in the world. • The upper class aims for critical and self-critical formation of judgment, an active relationship to the world, a sense of responsibility and independent learning.
To gain a basis for judgment on the outer forms of Waldorf pedagogy, which take on a new face over time, and what the inner context is, the
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Free School of Spiritual Science
A Crucial Year – Section for Agriculture –
“I have always understood it as one of my tasks to build a bridge from the bio-dynamic movement to the Anthroposophical Society.“ Nikolai Fuchs Whilst the high agricultural prices in 2008 had dramatic consequences for poor countries, it eased the situation for ecologically working farmers. At last cereal prices had achieved a level which related to the human and mechanical investment. However, this price level was of short duration. The pendulum stroke back and income, for example, for dairy farmers, fell by a third. The spilt quantities of milk represented a shocking protest. 2009 was a good year for harvests. But farmers were not able to bring their produce to market. In many shops milk is cheaper than mineral water. At the same, in many southern countries, staple food is exorbitant. Whilst in Europe farmers are underpaid and cannot sell their produce, the number of starving people has exceeded a billion world wide. “It is a world catastrophe,” summarises Nikolai Fuchs this terrible disparity and adds: “There is sufficient food; only it is unobtainable for some. That gives this catastrophe such a cynical character.”
Nikolai Fuchs, Agronomist, has been Leader of the Section for Agriculture for 9 years and relinquishes this position in the summer of 2010.
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2009 the Agricultural Conference dealt with the agricultural course. Following “Spirituality in Agriculture” and “Identity and Openness” the essence of the bio-dynamic work was achieved with the annual theme of 2008/2009. The conference in February and the publishing of the annual review brought this subject to a close and led to some reflection. It was only possible to divide the agricultural course during the conference into its individual components because a study and many discussions within the Section’s forum had taken place prior, says Nikolai Fuchs. The annual theme for 2009/2010 addresses Christian development motifs. Stefan Mahlich and Nikolai Fuchs managed to secure representatives of other beliefs as speakers for this annual conference. One highlight of the well attended conference was when Ha Vinh Tho described that Buddhism speaks of four levels of human
nourishment;:physical nourishment, soul nourishment through the senses, spiritual nourishment through consciousness and finally destiny nourishment which arises out of deeds for the other. With this idea an association is made to Christianity. 2009/2010 sets a trend for agriculture because the ecologically orientated World Agriculture Report demands that governments and federations consider the future of agriculture. The hitherto only chair in bio-dynamic agriculture at the University in Kassel, which the Section actively supports, also faces this crossroad. The question is still open whether this chair so far backed by charitable funding will become a regular graduate programme. A sobering but painful experience for the Section co-workers is that even successful research projects scarcely reach the relevant scientific journals. With the exception of Andreas Wolfahrt’s study on the individualisation in nature conservation, it has thus far not been possible to give research results the academic circulation their quality deserves. “Most scientific publishers reject a Goetheanum Header,” concludes Nikolai Fuchs. This fact too, tastes of cynicism because the natural science, to which these renowned publications subscribe, is exactly the one that has contributed to today’s life threatening situation in nature. What else can be done? Nikolai Fuchs: “Belief in our way of doing things is what is most important.”
Free School of Spiritual Science
The Dawn of Speech – Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music –
Whilst for some years now eurythmy has found a new artistic base after an intensive search at the beginning of the century, speech still remains within a phase of discovery. It was wonderful that in three conferences in 2009, anthroposophically working speech therapists and speakers met to exchange their experiences. In Witten-Annen 50 speech therapists, working with schools, met to discuss the pedagogical aspects of speech. Because most schools do not offer a full time position for drama and speech, most artists also teach other subjects “Trust in the forces of speech which allows them to be more is a path for which we require integrated into the school. Dura deep breath.“ ing the speech pedagogical conference, Dietrich von Bonin Margrethe Solstad introduced his research on the healthy effect of speech education on the interaction between heart- and breathing rhythm. “The reciting of hexameters increases the variability of the heart beat,” says Bonin from the University of Bern. Another conference dealt with curative speech. 120 participants looked at the potential and boundaries of drama, performing and eurythmic gestures. This realm of boundary and meeting between language and eurythmy was also the subject of the summer conference. At the centre stood Fercher von Steinwand’s poetry with choreographies by Rudolf Steiner. Margrethe Solstad has been Leader of the Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music. Prior to this she managed the Eurythmy School in Oslo.
Maybe it is too soon to speak about a dawn in speech, but in 2009 new steps were taken in the area of training. After the end of the speech training at the Goetheanum in 2007, Agnes Zehnter, Kirstin Kaiser and Brigitte Kowarik founded a school for speech in Basel, called “Am Wort“ and the work has begun with eight students. This year further courses are added, including a course in further education for therapists and in preparation for the art therapy exams. Public intensive study weeks in February and September offer an insight into the study concept.
This fulfilling soul experience is not offered by speech eurythmy. Therefore the eurythmy-coaches have started to work with Rudolf Steiner’s speech eurythmy course. Margrethe Solstad’s travels to Sweden (Järna), USA, France and Germany facilitated eurythmic collaboration. “The meetings are about discovering what is accessible through language. This is a mutual task. On one’s own one quickly falls into a routine,” explains Margrethe Solstad. The puppeteers formed a further committee during their January meeting which will be responsible for future initiatives and conferences. Then there was phantastic music during the Symphony conference of the Goetheanum stage. Groups that had studied symphonies presented their results. And there was “little music“: Michael Kurz, responsible for music within the Section, led a session on “Lyre and Eurythmy“, and, in cooperation with the Alanus College, a session on music’s healing forces. Something new also happened at the meeting of the eurythmy training graduating class. For the first time, all lectures of the school stood on the stage and presented something of their eurythmy. That this is possible with mutual respect shows how sustainable the collegial collaboration has become between the teachers. What are current challenges? “For example, convincing associations that 18 hours of lessons per week are more than enough for an eurythmist. In eurythmy, movement and life forces are constantly placed onto the soul level and that demands strength – strength which the eurythmist has to find and which the pupils gain.”
In eurythmy too, speech moves to the centre, says Margrethe Solstad. Usually tone eurythmy is more accessible because the merging of music and movement directly takes hold of the soul.
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Free School of Spiritual Science
The Expression of Spirit in Culture – Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities –
Speech today is predominantly used as a communications and information medium. It requires some inner strength, a change of attitude, to understand and nurture the word as a living entity instead of an information carrier. Every living essence exists in change, in development and this includes speech. At the beginning of human evolution divine spiritual forces were active in it and through it. The word was a creative force in the world. This is reflected in the prologue of the St. John’s Gospel: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.“
Martina Maria Sam has been looking after the Humanities’ Section at the Goetheanum for ten years. Last year, she also published Rudolf Steiner’s notes on the so-called “Rückschau”.
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However, mankind’s evolution leads from direct spiritual guidance to emancipation from spiritual guidance; this general law also finds its mirror in its relationship to language. Its genesis in past, present and future is closely linked to human cultural and consciousness development. The loss of a connection to the spiritual is also the loss of the outwardly creative force of the word. The fading of the essence of language can first of all be seen in the development of a symbolic, metaphorical use of language, whereby, however, new creative opportunities are opened up for man and poetry is born. Yet, over the past centuries, the word has also lost this imagery. Today it is only experienced as a term, “terminology” which has no longer anything to do with the object it describes. Today it rests with mankind to return language into a direct relationship to the spirit by bringing to mind its spiritual essence, by using it perceptively and consciously nurturing it. The Humanities Section would like its work to be understood on this basis: Hence, on one hand, Rudolf Steiner’s many and cherished inspirations for using language, speech development and lexicology are being taken up artistically and progressively, on the other hand, the above roughly outlined path of mankind, as it is mirrored in cultural and consciousness development, is being developed. This happens with different focal points in the Section groups worldwide; at the Goetheanum it is researched within a framework of small working groups and research meetings, the work within the School of Spiritual Science,
colloquia on specific specialised subjects and public cultural events, seminaries and the annual Whitsun Conference. This year, for the first time, a colloquium on the Middle Ages takes place which will work on the question whether anthroposophically enhanced medieval studies can be fruitful for pedagogy and research (“pagans, Jews and Christians in German 12th and 13th century literature”). “I have to and need to face it... – Spiritual Experiences and Destiny Encounters in the Fairy Tale: The Gold Children” is the theme of the public fairy tale conference prepared, over many years, by the Fairy Tale Research Group. Arabic influences on Middle European Christian development and the special task and location of Georgia with its rich early Christian heritage are the subjects of this year’s public cultural conferences. With the title “Julian Apostata–Herzeloyde–Tycho Brahe, an individual destiny and its effects in the Michaelic stream” the Whitsun Conference is devoted to this exceptional individuality, an ideal example of the laws of re-incarnation and karma. An overview of all programmes and activities of the Section worldwide can be found in the “event calendar 2010”. The half-yearly newsletter offers an insight into the Section’s work with articles in specialised fields, interviews and event reports. Martina Maria Sam
Free School of Spiritual Science
Interdependency as Opportunity? – Section for the Social Sciences –
of one’s own needs,” and “asking oneself the question: How do I have to be for you to be free?“ Walter Kugler, Head of the Rudolf Steiner Archive, summarised four principles from the conversation: 1. Threefolding means to also notice the other. 2. Social life carries within the energy of the direction of one’s thinking and acting. 3. Threefolding is not an idea or concept, but an observation. And finally 4. “Threefolding should detect a passion for processes which appear to be far from reality and stand in no direct relationship. That leads the social element from pragmatism to art.
Only visible from a bird‘s eye perspective: The Chartres labyrinth mowed into the Goetheanum lawn. Participants from the Economic Forum followed the path
Paul Mackay was Head of Triodos Bank (NL), before becoming a member of the Goetheanum Executive Council in 1996. Supported by Ulrich Rösch he also leads the Section for the Social Sciences.
“Faust is a drama for the 20th century, and Wilhelm Meister is a novel for the 21st century.” This characterisation by the biologist Wolfgang Schad marks the social mind of humanity today: It is less about a fight against the world and for the world but more about finding and becoming oneself through observation and conversation. This “making myself into what I am,” as Wilhelm Meister speaks of himself, is a deeply social event because it decides ones relationship to others. Paul Mackay sees this “interdependency“, this mutual dependency and mutual enabling, as a key term for today’s social relationships. Knowing about each other and communication are central.
Following the successful family culture conference “Family as Place of Work“in 2008, four colloquia were held in 2009 which looked at one specific theme each. It started with a course on the recognition of one’s own and the child’s temperament. Besides a seminary on the child’s religiosity, the psychologist Rudy Vandercruysse addressed questions of inner development with regard to excessive demands, overtiredness and overload in his lecture entitled “Anxiety and the Ego“.
“Mutual interdependence and mutual enabling are key questions for a new social life”. Paul Mackay
With this in mind, 60 people met in November in the Youth Section and Section for Social Sciences in order to jointly look for visions for future Section activities. Cooperation with the members of the Youth Section proved very fruitful in gaining new perspectives in some stagnant areas of the Section’s work. For example, Katie Dob, member of the Youth Section, presented 40 tips on behaviour for personal development. “One should be aware
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“Persuaded by Beauty and Energy“
Goetheanum
– Goetheanum Stage –
Advertising Poster of the eurythmy performance in a Moscow tube station
The production of “The Guardian of the Threshold” at Easter 2010 is the final part of the new production of the Mystery Dramas directed by Gioia Falk (overall artistic director) and Christian Peter (drama director). With more than 20 performances the Mystery Dramas take central stage at the Goethenaum in 2010. Two works of the German Classic were produced in 2009: Nathan the Wise by Ephraim Lessing and Amphitryon by Heinrich von Kleist. Eurythmy in Moscow
The Symphony-Tour 2008 may well have been the last. Three tours had been agreed between the Goetheanum-Stage and the Eurythmeum Stuttgart, and this was the third. And let’s not forget when the Russian Orchestra first arrived in Dornach; all the young musicians, and how delighted we were by their music. For six years they have accompanied us. Despite difficulties in communication, hardly any of us spoke Russian, and amongst the musicians hardly any spoke German or English, an ability to make music for eurythmy was present which carried and enlivened us. Particularly Barbara Mraz from the GoetheanumStage, who also has a private link to Russia, the feeling grew that after this lengthy co-operation we owed the Orchestra a return visit to their homeland. The idea seemed unrealistic. We decided on one last initiative before giving into destiny. And then the necessary help appeared. Ursula Piffaretti was convinced by the idea of a return visit to “our” musicians and was prepared to offer basic funding. Mikhail Khokhlov, the conductor of GnessinVirtuosos, was very happy and arranged contact with the Yauza Palace which was of suitable size. We were very impressed when we spotted the large posters for the Symphony-Eurythmy along
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“Whilst after the Mendelssohn Symphony the audience still seemed a little apprehensive, by the end of the evening everyone in the theatre was persuaded by the beauty and energy of this art form.” Eugenia Krivitzkaja, Culture Portal Moscow
Moscow’s large ring road on our drive from the airport. Luck was also in the planning. At the Goetheanum, a Russian student, Elena Toroptchina, had started work in the costume department. She knew the Moscow theatre scene well and used to organise conferences. Her contribution was vital. A few days after the summer holidays both groups met for rehearsals. The trip stood under a good star. The reunion with the orchestra touched us all; despite communication problems many tried to explain how happy they were about our visit. Many had purchased tickets for their families from their own money. This encounter emphasised that the not easy time spent on preparation had been worthwhile and that this visit had fulfilled a longing of the heart. A further encounter was with the director of the theater, Grigory Papish. Only in conversation it became clear to us that our performance was not only the first of the season, but also a First Night for the new directors of the Yauza Palace. This amazing trust in us by the Theatre Management was extraordinary. The two performances were well attended with an audience of 500-600; an audience that became increasingly amiable and heartily applauded the “Lamentate“. This was a space where eurythmic movement was a joy.
edited version from Reports from the Eurythmeum Stuttgart. Text by Ulrike Wendt
Goetheanum
Impressive Finish and Modest Beginning – The Year at the Goetheanum –
All that is new is unimposing. This fact is well known from nature, and yet it is hard to accept this within an organisation. The same is also valid in reverse for those things which form identity, and which are obvious. When they have reached their level of maturity and their The figure of Johannes in the new production of the Mystery Dramas pioneering spirit has come to a close, this too is difficult to accept. This was put into practice when during last year’s eurythmy summer conference the great symphonic works were put onto the stage for a last time by the Goetheanum-Stage in cooperation with the Else-Klink-Ensemble Stuttgart. The third symphonic production culminated in Arvo Pärt’s “Lamentate“. After much searching and doubts about the future of eurythmy at the turn of the century, the force of development proved itself in many promising smaller productions and now in a big way. It is notable that Carina Schmid, who, with Benedikt Zweifel, put her artistic mark on this symphonic cycle, is planning to become active in workshops and in the exchange on meditative praxis. And similarly Christof Wiechert, as leader of the Pedagogical Section, has integrated child study into the Waldorf school culture through numerous courses and school visits. Now he passes this work to younger hands but he will continue to be involved in key tasks at the Goetheanum. This area of study is part of the new and future orientated initiatives at the Goetheanum. Over a number of weekends, a group of 30 participants met during 2009/2010 with various lecturers like Arthur Zajonc (USA), Ron Dunselman (Netherlands), Bodo v. Plato (Goetheanum) in order to discuss central questions on the meditative life. Inquiries for these courses exceed our present staffing possibilities. These courses are a first re-
sult of the Goetheanum Meditation Initiative, a project by anthroposophists from Europe and the USA coordinated by Ron Dunselman, Arthur Zajonc and Bodo v. Plato. It promotes a stronger and more visible exercise and meditation practice. Since the premiere on 1st January 2010 of “The Soul’s Awakening”, the fourth Mystery Drama, it has become obvious that the new production of the Mystery Dramas has opened the door for an important step for a spiritually-contemporary presentation of the dramas. “Let’s hope that it is possible to put across into the already produced first two dramas what has been achieved with the fourth drama,” Paul Mackay, responsible for the stage, told the artists during First Night celebrations. Until Easter 2010 the third drama is the last to be rehearsed. Then follow four cycles of the Mystery Dramas lasting until Christmas 2010. The financial situation at the Goetheanum does no longer permit the financing of a production out of the current household budget. Therefore it was very much appreciated to discover in autumn 2009 that gift aid had been so generous, that all production costs could be absorbed from it. Another impressive finale was the Agriculture Conference in February 2009. With more than 800 participants it was the best subscribed annual conference and the last one for Nikolai Fuchs as Section Leader. Under the header “Christian Impulse for Agriculture” a circle of annual themes, ranging from questions on identity to climate crisis, cosmology to working with the agricultural course is closed. Two weeks prior to the Agricultural Conference, 350 pedagogues from Swiss Waldorf schools met for their further education. Robert Thomas, Leader of the Swiss School Movement, was very pleased about the response and called the next step: “Colleagues from the French speaking part of Switzerland were nearly all present, now we need to mobilise the schools in Ticino, the Italian speaking colleagues.”
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General Anthroposophical Society
Finance Report 2009 and Commentary on the 2010 Budget of the General Anthroposophical Society
In addition to ongoing activities, the General Anthroposophical Society undertook several special projects in 2009. A major undertaking is the new production of the Mystery Dramas, which represents a significant financial commitment over 3 years. The generous support of members and friends made it possible to finance the initiatives and projects of the Goetheanum. This is a convincing testimony to the deep engagement of the anthroposophical community through donations, gifts and legacies, as well as members’ contributions for the cultural and spiritual tasks of the Goetheanum and the School of Spiritual
Balance Sheet All Amounts in Thousand Sfr
Operating Cash, Bank, Post Office Accounts Receivable Prepaid Expenses, Deferred Charges Current Assets
31.12.2009
31.12.2008
Assets Liabilities
Assets Liabilities
1‘929
634
752
854
849
786
3‘529
2‘273
Liabilities
1‘391
1‘672
Reserves
533
400
Passive Accruals and Deferrals
562
899
2‘486
2‘970
Short Term Liabilities Securities, Reversionary Deposits 1)
3‘381
5‘096
Loans, Holdings and Investments 2)
3‘738
3‘738
Financial Assets
7‘119
8‘834
Properties 3)
5‘721
5‘875
Goetheanum Building
2‘113
2‘344
Fixed Assets
7‘834
Loans and Mortgages 4) Pension Obligations Reversionary Donations 5) Long Term Liabilities Funds 6) Equity Capital Surplus Income 2009/2008 Total
8‘219 5‘512
5‘201
354
397
7‘581
7‘995
13‘447
13‘593
2‘004
2‘151
613
690
67 18‘482
18‘482
78 19‘326
19‘326
1) Donations with right of recall. The parallel position appears under “Reversionary Donations”. 2) Holdings in WELEDA AG and a minority holding in Vital AG. 3) Houses and flats for coworkers in Dornach/Arlesheim. 4) Interest bearing loans from private individuals/institutions and mortgages from banks. 5) Donations with right of recall. The recall percentage is low. 6) Internal designated funds for School of Spiritual Science activities.
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Science. However, this does not include the urgent renovation work on the Goetheanum terrace and roof, for which funding is still needed. Profit and Loss 2009 The financial year 2009 closed with a small loss of 67 TSfr on a total turnover of 23.2 mill Sfr, which was 350 TSfr more than budgeted at 22.855 TSfr. All major departments held to their expense budgets with only slight overall variations. Coworker income rose by 446 TSfr to 12,8 mill Sfr. This is due to increased personnel costs related to the Mystery Dramas and a 1% cost-of-living adjustment for basic earnings for coworkers. Overall operating costs essentially remained the same as 2008, whereas event costs at 3.1 mill Sfr, including the Mystery Dramas, were 1.9 mill Sfr less than the previous year. Expenditures for Materials were 1.8 mill Sfr less at 8.5 mill Sfr. Capital investment expenses, due to lower depreciation on buildings, was also significantly lower by 1.3 mill Sfr. In short, total expenses for the year were 3.7 mill Sfr less than actual expenses for 2008. This reflects a strict budgetary discipline practised over the course of 2009. The Goetheanum maintained global membership contributions at 4.5 mill Sfr, despite significant currency exchange fluctuations, particularly in the USA, England and Australia. Losses in membership fees due to currency were compensated by positive exchange rates in other countries. Country Societies made significant efforts to maintain or increase their membership contributions. In view of the continuing clarification of membership status in many countries – resulting in a net decrease of total membership in the Society to just under 47,000 members – it is a positive sign that total contributions remained the same as 2008. However, the average contribution per member per year is approx 95 Sfr, well under the 125 Sfr per member agreed at the 1991 Annual General Meeting.
Contributions from institutions were significantly higher at 2.5 mill Sfr than the year prior, as were free donations at 1.8 mill Sfr. Surprisingly, compared to the development over the past years, the level of designated gifts has gone down, and un-designated gifts increased by 373 TSfr. Particularly welcome were the strong results of the Christmas Appeal. Worldwide 800 TSfr was collected. During this financially difficult time, this is most gratifying. Compared to 2008, gifts from Switzerland were up by 60 TSfr and from Germany up by nearly 100 TSfr. Furthermore, an additional 367 TSfr was collected in gifts through the St John’s Appeal, an extraordinary demonstration of generosity and interest in the Mystery Dramas and building renovations. This response is deeply satisfying and an enormous help for the work of the Goetheanum.
Income from Student Courses & Services, a growing area for the Goetheanum, increased by nearly 20% to just under 400 TSfr. We hope this trend will continue. However, income from Conferences and Meetings fell by 24% to 1.36 mill Sfr. Total income from the School of Spiritual Science was down by 383 TSfr to 1.9 mill Sfr. General services, guided tours and artistic events for the Goetheanum as a public venue fell by 502 TSfr. This development requires careful examination. A donation of 750 TSfr was allocated to the funding of the Mystery Dramas. This gift had to be postponed to 2010, resulting in liquidity pressures in the second half of the year. The eventual sale of two properties, and the designation of extra income from legacies above the 2009 budgeted amount of 700 TSfr helped in this regard. Part of the 1.8 mill Sfr from legacies was used for a new administrative software system for the Goetheanum. This makes the complex conference system more efficient and “visitor” friendly.
Profit and Loss All Amounts in Thousand Sfr
Expenditures Staff Income Administration Travel and Vehicles Information and Advertising Materials and Production Costs Building, Grounds, Furnishings Energy Appropriations and Levies Insurance and Consultations Value Adjustments Allocation to Funds, Reserves Event Costs Investments Interest and Other Expenditure Coworker Housing other Expenses Total Expenditure
2009 12‘851 936 345 386 782 853 708 167 649 190 392 3‘118 88 794 856 104 23‘219
2008 12‘405 930 380 500 778 758 691 221 653 68 320 5‘015 1‘437 1‘445 1‘188 186 26‘975
Income Membership Contributions Institutional Contributions Donations Legacies “Das Goetheanum” Weekly Release of Funds Conferences, Courses, Events Publications and Brochures Studies and Further Education Laboratory and Institutions Artistic Presentations Guided Tours and Exhibitions Services Garden and Park Ear-marked Donations Interests and other Earnings Coworker Housing Other Earnings Expenditure Surplus 2009/08 Total Income
2009 4‘490 2‘451 1‘833 1‘791 1‘378 461 1‘362 48 397 102 772 52 654 292 3‘851 827 2‘246 145 67 23‘219
2008 4‘500 1‘990 1‘460 729 1‘415 2‘107 1‘783 74 333 102 961 62 973 277 4‘251 1‘028 4‘646 209 78 26‘977
Total income from member contributions, institutional contributions, legacies and free gifts in 2009 at 10.56 mill Sfr was 590 TSfr above budget and 1.88 mill Sfr above last years’ levels. These significant results can only be seen positively and with gratitude. In summary, 2009 had several positive, even unexpected developments, such as the heartwarming response from members to the St John´s and Christmas Appeal, and higher income through legacies that allowed the Goetheanum to meet expenses related to the Mystery Dramas and to invest in necessary repairs to infrastructure. However, liquidity continues to be a substantial problem and creates considerable strain on planning possibilities. Without adequate reserves the Goetheanum must often take credit on current accounts for payment of monthly bills, which average 2 mill Sfr per month. Currency fluctuations also play a role in real income. Dependency on charitable gifts is an increasingly restricting factor for the Goetheanum. Without growth in the membership, and a commitment to such development in core country Societies, or the development of significant new sources of income, potentially disruptive reductions of traditional activity areas for the Goetheanum will likely take place. Balance Sheet, 2009 Total assets reduced by 843 TSfr to 18.482 TSfr. Current Cash Assets (receivables, pre-paid expenses, cash on hand and bank deposits) in-
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creased by 1.2 mill Sfr at the end of 2009 while long term assets decreased by 1.7 mill Sfr.
responsible for the overall change in Financial Assets.
Holdings: the General Anthroposophical Society has 23% nominal ownership with 39% voting rights in Weleda AG and a minority stake in Vital AG (Speisehaus) These remained unchanged at 3.7 mill Sfr.
Property, plant and equipment reduced nominally by 385 TSfr to 7.8 mill Sfr.
The sale of 1.4 mill Sfr in obligations/bonds at the beginning of 2009 to cover liquidity needs, together with the repayment of some loans, was Budget 2010* All Amounts in Thousand Sfr
Operating Costs Executive Council and Secretariat Public Relations Documentation Society Conferences and Events Finance, Fundraising and Controlling Personnel IT and EDP Weekly Publication Properties Membership Contributions Institutional Contributions Donations Legacies Other Earnings Other Expenditure Total Society
Expense 1‘386 186 476 350 382 668 338 1‘215 708
51 5‘760
Income
159 449 81 1‘181 1‘322 4‘675 2‘150 2‘300 500 1‘710 14‘527
Net -1‘386 -186 -317 99 -382 -587 -338 -34 614 4‘675 2‘150 2‘300 500 1‘710 -51 8‘767
School of Spiritual Science General Anthroposophical Section (Including Studies and Further Education) Pedagogical Section Natural Science Section Section for Agriculture Mathematical-Astronomical Section Medical Section Section for Social Sciences Section for Literary Arts and Humanities Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music Art Section Youth Section Total School of Spiritual Science
777 557 456 778 405 169 1‘699 193 308 289 249 377 5‘700
557 326 422 472 262 22 1‘549 69 119 100 57 178 3‘807
-220 -231 -34 -306 -143 -147 -150 -124 -189 -189 -192 -199 -1‘893
Goetheanum Goetheanum Stage (Including Mystery Dramas 09/10) (Including St. John’s Apocalypse Eurythmy 2010) Reception and Events Management incl. Catering Goetheanum Building Total Goetheanum
4‘655 1‘534 391 1‘310 3‘431 9‘397
1‘349 625 90 111 1‘063 2‘523
-3‘306 -909 -301 -1‘199 -2‘368 -6‘874
20‘857
20‘857
0
233
233
0
20‘857 233 21‘090
20‘857 233 21‘090
0 0 0
Total Operating Costs Investments incl. Depreciation Summary Total Operating Costs Investments incl. Depreciation Total Results to Budget * without Transparency Project
22
Short term liabilities decreased from 2.9 mill Sfr. to 2.5 mill Sfr at the end of 2009, while long term liabilities fell by 146 TSfr. These include gifts with right of recall, loans and mortgages and pension obligations. There was little net change in this regard in 2009. We applied internal designated Funds of 150 TSfr to operating expenses, thereby reducing liabilities by an equal amount. We concluded the year with 546 TSfr in equity capital. Budget 2010 and Outlook For the 2010 budget the Executive Council, Department managers and Section leaders started a process with the mandate to reduce total costs (except the School of Spiritual Science) by 8-10%. The Executive Council approved a budget in December 2009 of 21.090 TSfr, which is 1.8 mill Sfr or 7.9% lower than the previous year. This decision was based on a continuing analysis of the economic circumstances of the Goetheanum, developments in the worldwide Society, and the global economy. On this basis, we have lowered the total budget, including the Mystery Drama project, by 1.7 mill Sfr. Also included are 200 TSfr less income from legacies, 150 TSfr less institutional contributions, and about 600 TSfr less in extraordinary earnings. Further, savings are realized by postponing renovation and investment projects, and reductions in overall stage funding. The Goetheanum reduced expenses with its stage as a cultural meeting place, reception and events management, building administration) and general administration of the Anthroposophical Society. In contrast, we agreed to maintain net costs for the School of Spiritual Science at 2009 levels. Capital investments were reduced to a minimum, with the expectation that renovations to the terrace, concrete walls and slate roof of the Goetheanum estimated at 3.7 mill Sfr will be undertaken in 2011 or 2012 at the latest. Financial Health The difficult but necessary step to reduce operating costs at the Goetheanum is part of a process of economic consolidation, starting in 2010. We expect to further reduce costs by 8% in 2011, while at the same time “re-imagining” the Goetheanum to take a fresh look at its unique tasks. A thorough investigation is needed of all areas,
Transparency Comparison
Actual 2009
Budget 2009
Income
Net
Infrastructure
Credit Infrastructure
Expenditure
Credit Basic Contribution School of Spiritual Science
Net
Basic Contribution School of Spiritual Science
Credit Infrastructure
Credit Basic Contribution School of Spiritual Science
Income
General Anthroposophical Section
726
2‘497
673
101 2‘497
47
672
2‘455
572
Pedagogical Section
508
241
480
35
241
6
504
239
470
35
239
0
Natural Science Section
846
502
575
303
502
32
896
530
593
303
530
0
Section for Agriculture
653
397
503
142
397
-8
577
365
435
142
365
0
Mathematical-Astronomical Section
204
137
29
175
137
-0
198
136
24
175
136
0
1‘482
711
1‘332
150
711
0
1‘570
763
1‘420
150
763
0
Section for Social Sciences
195
105
70
125
105
0
314
158
189
125
158
0
Section for Literary Arts and Humanities
319
173
142
187
173
9
280
160
94
187
160
0
Section f. t. Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama, Music
306
165
188
205
165
87
316
179
111
205
179
0
Art Section
225
161
34
192
161
0
217
160
26
192
160
0
Youth Section
420
232
229
206
232
15
418
224
212
206
224
0
5‘885
0 5‘320
4‘255 1‘818 5‘320
188
5‘963
0 5‘370
4‘144 1‘818 5‘370
0
Goetheanum Stage
5‘123
-2‘257
1‘107
-1‘758
5‘332
-2‘175
1‘424
-1‘733
Events Management incl. Catering
1‘232
-1‘147
85
0
1‘278
-1‘225
54
0
Goetheanum Building Administration
3‘317
-2‘485
832
0
3‘441
-2‘475
965
0
11
0
-0
-11
0
0
0
0
0
592
0
-592
0
599
0
-599
9‘683
0 -5‘298
2‘024
0 -2‘361 10‘051
0 -5‘276
2‘443
Expenditure
Infrastructure
Basic Contribution School of Spiritual Science
All Amounts in Thousand Sfr
101 2‘455
0
School of Spiritual Science
Medical Section
Total School of Spiritual Science Goetheanum
Diversion Accounts Additional Goetheanum GF Total Goetheanum
0
0
0 -2‘332
Society Executive Council
1‘265
-809
12
-444
1‘263
-814
0
-449
Membership Secretariat
161
-10
0
-150
169
-11
0
-158
Public Relations
208
-119
1
-88
204
-117
0
-87
Events Society
166
309
307
-167
258
325
435
-148
IT
355
-323
32
0
362
-362
0
0
Personnel
618
-595
23
0
651
-596
55
0
Documentation
616
-4
259
-353
512
-6
151
-355
Finance and Controlling
354
-337
18
0
363
-363
0
0
77
2
977
899
25
1
9
-17
Fundraising Contributions, Donations, Legacies
224
0 10‘899
10‘675
0
0
9‘975
9‘975
other Expenses and Income
659
0
466
-193
75
0
2‘322
2‘247
Properties
1‘015
16
2‘281
1‘250
999
22
1‘360
339
Weekly Publication
1‘382
80
1‘340
-122
1‘349
83
1‘350
-81
552
10
260
-303
624
13
624
Investments Additional Society Stage
1‘758
Credit Base Contribution School
1‘818
Credit Infrastructure School Society Total G.A.S. Total incl. Offsets
0
0 2‘173
23‘219 1‘818 5‘320 23‘153 1‘818 5‘320 1‘818 5‘320 23‘219
with the question of how a leaner Goetheanum can fulfil its tasks more effectively. This includes the aim to remove legacies completely from the household budget so they may be used for special projects and research initiatives. The process of financial recovery of the Goetheanum not only requires mutual openness and discipline which will put us to the test, but it also
-1‘818 5‘370
-5‘370
6‘854 1‘818 5‘276 16‘280
0
0 2‘332
-67 22‘867 1‘818 5‘370 22‘867 1‘818 5‘370
1‘818 5‘320 23‘153
-1‘733
1‘818
-5‘320
7‘652 1‘818 5‘298 16‘874
-13
1‘733
-1‘818 5‘320
Internal Offsets G.A.S. Total
-1‘758
1‘818 5‘370 -67 22‘867
0
1‘818 5‘370 22‘867
0
requires the courage to make difficult decisions regarding priorities within historically developed areas. For this to happen the support of our members near and far will be very important. Cornelius M. Pietzner Head of Finance and Treasury, February 2010 Differences in the sums are the result of rounding off.
23
Contacts and Addresses Worldwide General Anthroposophical Society Goetheanum Postfach CH-4143 Dornach 1 Phone +41 61 706 42 42 Fax +41 61 706 43 14 sekretariat@goetheanum.ch www.goetheanum.org Argentina Sociedad Antroposófica en la Argentina Crisólogo Larralde 2224 AR-C 1429 BTP Ciudad aut. Buenos Aires Phone +54 11 4702 98 72 Fax +54 11 4797 83 23 (T.E.Klein) rosa.korte@cosmedika.com.ar National representative: Rosa Körte Asia Representative of the General Anthroposophical Society in Asia c/o Hans van Florenstein Mulder 18 Grants Road Papanui NZ-8005 Christchurch Phone +64 3 354 44 47 Fax +64 3 352 83 93 hmulder@xtra.co.nz Australia Anthroposophical Society in Australia Rudolf Steiner House 307 Sussex Street AU-NSW 2000 Sydney Phone +61 2 9264 51 69 Fax +61 2 9251 37 43 nblackwood@ozemail.com.au www.anthroposophy.org.au General secretary: Norma Blackwood
aobg@aobg.org www.aobg.org National representative: Traytcho Frangov Canada Anthroposophical Society in Canada Bathurst Street 8-9100 CA-ON L4J 8C7 Thornhill Phone +1 416 892 3656 Fax +1 905 889 3336 info@anthroposophy.ca www.anthroposophy.ca General secretary: Philip Thatcher Chile Sociedad Antroposófica Rama Christophorus c/o Natalia Gómez Clemenceau 1520 CL- Vitacura/Santiago de Chile natg@hotmail.com Sociedad Antroposófica Rama San Santiago c/o Claudio Rauch Manuel Covarrubias 3782 Casilla 22-11 Nunoa CL- Santiago de Chile Fax +56 2 284 1280 gbwaldorf@yahoo.es Sociedad Antroposófica Rama Sophia c/o Carina Vaca Zeller Troncos Viejos 2135 CL- La Reina/Santiago de Chile Phone +562 2250056 Fax +562 2234262 carinavacazeller@gmail.com
Austria
Colombia
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in Österreich Tilgnerstrasse 3 AT-1040 Wien Phone +43 1 505 34 54 Fax +43 1 505 34 54 buero@anthroposophie.or.at www.anthroposophie.or.at General secretary: Helmut Goldmann
Sociedad Antroposófica Rama Micael c/o Teresita Roldán de Hernandez Calle 13 CO-43D14 Medellin Phone +57 4 266 53 61 sofiamaria3@gmail.com
Belgium Antroposofische Vereniging in België F. Lousbergskaai 44 BE-9000 Gent Phone +32 9 233 54 58 Fax +32 9 233 53 27 avib@antroposofie.be www.antroposofie.be General secretary: Jan Borghs Brazil Sociedade Antroposófica no Brasil Rua da Fraternidade 156/168 Alto da Boa Vista BR-04738-020 São Paulo SP Phone +55 11 568 742 52 Fax +55 11 552 305 37 sab@sab.org.br www.sab.org.br General secretary: Michael Mösch Sociedade Anthroposophica Grupo Michael, Grupo Novalis, Grupo Raphael c/o Bernardete de Jesus Ribeiro Caxia Postal 16277 BR-22221-971 Rio de Janeiro RJ Bulgaria Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in Bulgarien Ul. Tzar Simeon 55 BG-1000 Sofia Phone +359 2 980 84 86 Fax +359 2 980 84 86
24
Sociedad Antroposófica Rama Santiago Apóstol c/o Silvia und Enrique de Castro Uresa 54, Apt 203 Porténa H 3 CO-H 5-173 Cali Phone +57 2 513 34 22 castromac2@hotmail.com Croatia Antropozofsko društvo ‚Marija Sofija‘ Zagreb c/o Darko Znaor Baruna Trenka 4 HR-10 000 Zagreb Phone +385 1 468 02 70 Fax +385 1 483 50 84 marijasofija@antropozofija.hr www.antropozofija.hr Czech Republic Anthroposofická spolecnost v Ceské rebublice Hošt‘álkova 392/1d CZ-169 00 Praha 6 Phone +420 246 030 358 www.anthroposof.org National representative: Anežka Janátová Denmark Antroposofisk Selskab Danmark Ibækvej 202 DK-7100 Vejle Phone +45 86 27 60 60 asd@mail.tele.dk www.rudolfsteiner.dk General secretary: Troels Ussing
Ecuador Sociedad Antroposófica Rama Micael c/o Patricio Jaramillo Tobar Urb. La Luz, F.Guarderas 354 y Ab. Montalvo PO Box 17-04-10454 EC- Quito Phone +593 2 240 76 21 Fax +593 2 255 29 42 patjaram@uio.satnet.net Egypt Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Zweig Sekem c/o Ibrahim Abouleish Belbeis Desert Road 3 PO Box 2834 EG-11777 El Horrya-Heliopolis Cairo Phone +20 2 2656 41 24 Fax +20 2 2656 41 23 info@sekem.com www.sekem.com Estonia Eesti Antroposoofiline Selts Paiste 10-2 EE-11620 Tallinn jaanus.moldre@neti.ee National representative: Jaanus Möldre Finland Suomen Antroposofinen Liitto Uudenmaankatu 25 A 4 FI-00120 Helsinki 12 Phone +358 9 696 25 20 Fax +358 9 680 25 91 toimisto@antropos.fi www.antropos.fi General secretary: Leena Westergrén
mail@anthroposophie-hannover.de www.anthroposophie-hannover.de Representative: Thomas Wiehl Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum München Leopoldstrasse 46 A DE-80802 München Phone +49 89 33 25 20 Fax +49 89 33 78 97 info@anthroposophie-muenchen.de www.anthroposophie-muenchen.de Representative: Florian Roder Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Nord Mittelweg 11-12 DE-20148 Hamburg Phone +49 40 41 33 16 22 Fax +49 40 41 33 16 42 buero@anthroposophie-nord.de www.anthroposophie-nord.de Representative: Roland Wiese Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen Oskar-Hoffmann-Strasse 25 DE-44789 Bochum Phone +49 234 333 67 30 Fax +49 234 333 67 45 Anthroposophie.NRW@t-online.de www.anthroposophie-nrw.de Representative: Anna-Katharina Dehmelt
France
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Nürnberg Rieterstrasse 20 DE-90419 Nürnberg Phone +49 911 33 86 78/79 Fax +49 911 39 75 38 info@anthroposophie-nuernberg.de www.anthroposophie-nuernberg.de Representative: Bernd Händler
Société Anthroposophique en France 2 et 4, rue de la Grande Chaumière FR-75006 Paris Phone +33 1 43 26 09 94 Fax +33 1 43 25 26 21 contact@anthroposophie.fr www.anthroposophie.fr General secretary: Gudrun Cron
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Oberrhein Starkenstrasse 36 DE-79104 Freiburg Phone +49 761 2 55 59 Fax +49 761 29 28 1850 agid-azob@t-online.de Representative: Wolfgang Drescher
Germany
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Ost Angelikastrasse 4 DE-01099 Dresden Phone +49 351 802 23 72 Fax +49 351 899 63 43 AZOst@t-online.de Representative: Gunda Kohl
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in Deutschland Rudolf Steiner Haus Zur Uhlandshöhe 10 DE-70188 Stuttgart Phone +49 711 164 31 21 Fax +49 711 164 31 30 info@anthroposophische-gesellschaft.org www.anthroposophische-gesellschaft.org General secretary: Hartwig Schiller Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Berlin Rudolf Steiner Haus Bernadottestrasse 90-92 DE-14195 Berlin Phone +49 30 832 59 32 Fax +49 30 832 63 98 sekretariat@agberlin.de www.agberlin.de Representative: Sebastian Boegner Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Frankfurt Hügelstrasse 67 DE-60433 Frankfurt Phone +49 69 53 09 35 81/2 Fax +49 69 52 68 47 b.messmer@arbeitszentrum-ffm.de www.arbeitszentrum-ffm.de Representative: Barbara Messmer Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Hannover Brehmstrasse 10 DE-30173 Hannover Phone +49 511 85 32 38 Fax +49 511 28 17 52
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitszentrum Stuttgart Rudolf Steiner Haus Zur Uhlandshöhe 1015 DE-70188 Stuttgart Phone +49 711 164 31 14 Fax +49 711 164 31 12 az-stuttgart@anthroposophischegesellschaft.org Representative: Johannes Kehrer Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Arbeitsgemeinschaft Impuls Ost c/o Werner Kleine Andréstrasse 5 DE-09112 Chemnitz Phone +49 371 31 17 57 Georgia Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in Georgien Seinab Bozvadse Strasse 10 PO Box 91 GE-0108 Tbilissi Phone +995 32 99 95 76 antrsg@myoffice.ge National representative: Nodar Belkania
Great Britain
Italy
Norway
South Africa
Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain Rudolf Steiner House 35 Park Road GB-NW1 6XT London Phone +44 207 723 44 00 Fax +44 207 724 43 64 rsh-office@anth.org.uk www.anthroposophy.org.uk General secretary: Ann Druit, Philip Martyn
Società Antroposofica in Italia Via Privata Vasto 4 IT-20121 Milano Phone +39 02 659 55 58 Fax +39 02 659 55 58 societa_antroposofica@fastwebnet.it www.rudolfsteiner.it General secretary: Stefano Gasperi
Antroposofisk Selskap i Norge Oscarsgate 10 NO-0352 Oslo Phone +47 22 60 00 67 Fax +47 22 60 00 68 asn@antroposofi.no www.antroposofi.no General secretary: Frode Barkved
Anthroposophical Society in Southern Africa c/o Linoia Pullen Promenade Road 16 ZA-7945 Lakeside/Cape Town Phone +27 21 788 1022 linoia@mweb.co.za
Japan
Peru
Anthroposophische Gruppe in Japan c/o Yuji Agematsu Teraodai 2-8-1, 1-102 JP-214-0005 Tamaku/Kawasakishi Phone +81 44 954 2156 Fax +81 44 954 2156 agematsu@joy.ocn.ne.jp www.anthroposophische-gesellschaftjapan.org
Sociedad Antroposófica en el Perú Av. G. Prescott 590 San Isidro PE- Lima 27 Phone +51 1 471 12 33 Fax +51 1 436 85 56 prohumanus@live.de
Sociedad Antroposófica en España C/Loeches 1-3, bajos E y B ES-28008 Madrid Phone +34 91 115 34 78 Fax +34 91 115 34 78 sociedadantroposofica@gmail.com www.sociedadantroposofica.com National representative: Leonor Montes
Philippines
Sweden
Anthroposophische Gruppe in Japan c/o Kazuhiro Suzuki Takadanobaba 4-37-2-203 Shinjuku-ku JP-169-0075 Tokyo Phone +81 3 69 08 82 56 Fax +81 3 69 08 82 56 info@npo-asj.jp www.anthroposophische-gesellschaft.jp
Anthroposophical Group in the Philippines c/o Reimon Gutierrez 24, 9th Street Rolling Hills PH- New Manila Q.C. Phone +63 2 410 23 48 Fax +63 2 410 23 48 mimiabis@hotmail.com
Antroposofiska Sällskapet i Sverige PL 1800 SE-153 91 Järna Phone +46 8 55 43 02 20 Fax +46 8 551 506 44 sekretariat@antroposofi.nu www.antroposofi.nu General secretary: Mats-Ola Ohlsson
Poland
Switzerland
Towarzystwo Antropozoficzne w Polsce Ul. Arciszewskiego 4 PL-01-483 Warszawa Phone +48 22 666 88 32 sekretariat.tawp@wp.pl www.antropozofia.pl National representative: Ewa Wasniewska
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in der Schweiz Oberer Zielweg 60 CH-4143 Dornach Phone +41 61 706 84 40 Fax +41 61 706 84 41 anthrosuisse@bluewin.ch www.anthroposophie.ch General secretary: Esther Gerster
Portugal
Thailand
Sociedade Antroposófica em Portugal Quinta S. Joao dos Montes PT-2600 Alhandra Phone +351 967 239 920 Fax +351 21 848 65 04 sociedade.antroposofica@gmail.com National representative: Fritz Wessling
Anthroposophical Group in Thailand 199 Moo 6, Sukhapiban 5 Road Or-Ngern, Saimai TH-10220 Bangkok Phone +66 2 792 0670 Fax +66 2 792 0672 waldorfthai@hotmail.com Representative: Porn Panosot
Hawai‘i Anthroposophical Society in Hawai‘i Alaula Way 2514 US-HI 96822 Honolulu Phone +1 808 988 45 55 vanjames@hawaiiantel.net National representative: Van James Hungary Magyar Antropozófiai Társaság Rudolf Steiner Ház Riadó utca 2/B HU-1026 Budapest Phone +36 1 336 04 26 Fax +36 1 336 04 25 antropozofiai.tarsasag@gmail.com www.antropozofiai-tarsasag.hu National representative: Márton Göröntsér Iceland Antroposofiska Felagid a Islandi PO Box 953 IS-121 Reykjavik Phone +354 4 86 60 22 skaftholt@simnet.is National representative: Gudfinnur Ellert Jakobsson India Anthroposophical Society Gateway Branch Mumbai c/o Aban Bana Proctor Road, Grant Road 5 IN-400 007 Mumbai Fax +91 22 2386 37 99 abanbana123@rediffmail.com www.anthroposophyindia.org Anthroposophical Society Mercury Group c/o Swapna Narendra Plot 159 Road 10 Jubilee Hills IN-500033 Hyderabad swapnanarendra@yahoo.co.uk Anthroposophical Society Rudolf Steiner Branch c/o Nirmala Diaz Banjara Hills, Road Nr. 7 8-2-547/1/2 IN-500034 Hyderabad nirmaladiaz@yahoo.com Ireland Anthroposophical Society in Ireland PO Box 172 GB-BT18 9WT Belfast Delivery Phone +353 1 286 21 16 Fax +353 1 286 21 16 michiel@camphill.ie National representative: Michiel Brave Israel Anthroposophical Society Elias Branch Bajit balew, c/o Eva Levy Shderoth Ben Zwi 35 IL-96260 Jerusalem Phone +972 2 563 31 65 Anthroposophical Society Sophia Branch c/o Jennifer Mizrachi Rechow Nitzana 11 IL-68117 Tel Aviv motjen@bezeqint.net Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Hillel-Zweig c/o Stefanie Allon-Grob Schoschanim 32 IL-36056 Kiryat Tivon Phone +972 4 983 20 67 giallon@bezeqint.net
Shikoku-Anthroposophie-Kreis c/o Tetsuo Takeshita Takinomiya 201-1 Ayakawa-chou JP-761-2305 Kagawaken tiezuo@gmail.com Latvia Anthroposophische Gruppe in Lettland c/o Uldis Saveljevs Keldisa-Str. 24-51 LV-1021 Riga Phone +371 2 9 16 50 00 Fax +371 6 7 13 93 58 antroposofia@inbox.lv www.antroposofija.lv Lithouania Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Michael Zweig c/o Jurate Lekstiene Ateities 22-30 LT-5300 Panevezys Mexico Sociedad Antroposófica Rama Juan de la Cruz c/o Octavio Reyes Salas Las Flores 122 Col. Los Reyes, Coyoacan MX-04330 Mexico D. F. Phone +52 5 617 68 54 Fax +52 5 617 40 54 oresal@servidor.unam.mx Namibia Anthroposophische Arbeitsgruppe in Namibia c/o Almute Möller PO Box 11359 NA-9000 Windhoek Phone +264 61 234 702 Fax +264 61 234 702 amoller@iway.na Netherlands Antroposofische Vereniging in Nederland Boslaan 15 NL-3701 CH Zeist Phone +31 30 691 82 16 Fax +31 30 691 40 64 secretariaat@antrop-ver.nl www.antroposofie.nl General secretary: Ron Dunselman New Zealand Anthroposophical Society in New Zealand PO Box 8279 NZ-4201 Havelock North Phone +64 6 877 66 56 suesimpson@clear.net.nz www.anthroposophy.org.nz General secretary: Sue Simpson
Romania
Spain
Societatea Antroposofica din România Str. Visinilor nr. 17, sector 2 RO-024091 Bucuresti Phone +40 21 323 20 57 Fax +40 21 323 20 57 contact@antroposofie.ro www.antroposofie.ro National representative: Gheorghe Paxino
Ukraine
Russia
United States of America
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in Russland Nastschokinskij Pereulok 6, kw.3 RU-119019 Moskau Phone +7 495 695 09 64 agruss@mail.ru National representative: Alexej Žukow
Anthroposophical Society in America 1923, Geddes Avenue US-MI 48104-1797 Ann Arbor Phone +1 734 662 93 55 Fax +1 734 662 17 27 information@anthroposophy.org www.anthroposophy.org General secretary: MariJo Rogers, Torin Finser
Serbia Antroposofski Kulturni Centar Beograd c/o Voijslav Kecman Gandijeva 241 RS-11070 Beograd Phone +381 11 15 81 35 vkecman@ptt.yu
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft Zweig Kiew c/o Sergej Kopyl Ul. Tampere 17a UA-02105 Kiew Phone +380 44 572 89 93 info@michaeltime.org www.michaeltime.org
Uruguay Sociedad Antroposófica Rama Novalis c/o Gisela Medina Amazonas 1529 UY-11400 Montevideo Phone +5982 619 33 70
Slovakia Slovenská antropozofická spolocnost‘ Hattalova 12 B SK-83103 Bratislava Phone +421 2 4445 36 90 Fax +421 2 4445 38 54 info@antropozofia.sk www.antropozofia.sk National representative: Erich Šašinka
25
General Anthroposophical Society School of Spiritual Science Goetheanum General Anthroposophical Society Goetheanum Postfach CH-4143 Dornach 1 Phone +41 61 706 42 42 Fax +41 61 706 43 14 sekretariat@goetheanum.ch www.goetheanum.org Board at the Goetheanum vorstandssekretariat@goetheanum.ch Virginia Sease Andrea Jeserich, Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 12 andrea.jeserich@goetheanum.ch Paul Mackay Monika Clément, Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 09 monika.clement@goetheanum.ch Bodo v. Plato Renate Braun, Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 07 renate.braun@goetheanum.ch Sergej Prokofieff Ute Fischer, +41 (0)61 706 43 11 ute.fischer@goetheanum.ch Cornelius Pietzner Claudia Rordorf, +41 (0)61 706 43 10 claudia.rordorf@goetheanum.ch Seija Zimmermann Christine Zech, +41 (0)61 706 43 64 christine.zech@goetheanum.ch Members Services Office Contact: Angelika Pauletto Phone +41(0)61 706 42 72 Fax +41 (0)61 706 43 14 sekretariat@goetheanum.ch Communications & Public Relations Wolfgang Held Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 61 wolfgang.held@goetheanum.ch Finance Treasurer: Cornelius Pietzner Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 10 finanzwesen@goetheanum.ch Finance, Controlling and IT Benjamin Kohlhase-Zöllner Phone +41 (0)61 706 44 20 benjamin.kohlhase@goetheanum.ch www.aagfinanz.ch
General Anthroposophical Section Leader: Paul Mackay, Cornelius Pietzner, Bodo v. Plato, Sergej Prokofieff, Virginia Sease, Seija Zimmermann hochschule@goetheanum.ch Study and Further Education Information: Mauro Fenu Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 20 studium@goetheanum.ch Youth Section
Postfach, CH-4143 Dornach 1 Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 64 Fax +41 (0)61 706 43 14 hochschule@goetheanum.ch www.goetheanum.org Collegium of the School of Spiritual Science Oliver Conradt, Nikolai Fuchs, Michaela Glöckler, Ursula Gruber, Johannes Kühl, Paul Mackay, Cornelius Pietzner, Bodo v. Plato, Sergej Prokofieff, Martina Maria Sam, Virginia Sease, Margrethe Solstad, Christof Wiechert, Elizabeth Wirsching, Seija Zimmermann
26
Postfach, CH-4143 Dornach 1 Reception & Events Leader: Christine Blanke Information Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 42 Fax +41 (0)61 706 44 46 info@goetheanum.ch www.goetheanum.org
Leader: Elizabeth Wirsching Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 91 mail@youthsection.org www.youthsection.org
Tours & events Phone +41 (0)61 706 44 44 tickets@goetheanum.ch
Mathematical-Astronomical Section
Leader Eurythmy: Carina Schmid Business Office: Thomas Parr Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 50 buehne@goetheanum.ch www.goetheanum-buehne.ch
Leader: Oliver Conradt Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 26 mas@goetheanum.ch www.mas.goetheanum.org
Goetheanum Stage
Observatory tours Phone +41 (0)61 706 44 44
Documentation
Medical Section
Archives Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 63 dokumentation@goetheanum.ch
Leader: Michaela Glöckler M.D. Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 90 sekretariat@medsektion-goetheanum.ch www.medsektion-goetheanum.ch International Coordination Anthroposophical Medicine/IKAM michaela.gloeckler@medsektion-goetheanum.ch Natural Science Section and Research Institute (with the Section for Agriculture) Leader: Johannes Kühl Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 10 science@goetheanum.ch Crystallisation Laboratory Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 63 kristallisation@goetheanum.ch Pedagogical Section Leader: Christof Wiechert Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 15 paed.sektion@goetheanum.ch www.paedagogik-goetheanum.ch Art Section Leader: Ursula Gruber Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 65 sektion.bildende.kuenste@goetheanum.ch
Leader: Uwe Werner
Library Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 60 Reading Rooms & Open Shelves Monday 15:00–20:00 Tuesday to Friday 11:00– 20:00 Saturday 11:00–15:00 Loan desk Tuesday–Saturday 11:00–15:00 Goetheanum Art Collection Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 85 Wochenschrift „Das Goetheanum“ Postfach, CH-4143 Dornach 1 Phone +41 (0)61 706 44 64 Fax +41 (0)61 706 44 65 info@dasgoetheanum.ch www.dasgoetheanum.ch Goetheanum Book Store Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 75 Fax +41 (0)61 706 42 76 buchhandlung@goetheanum.ch www.goethebuch.ch Open: Monday–Friday 9.00–18.30 Saturday: 9.00–17.00 Verlag am Goetheanum
Leader: Nikolai Fuchs Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 12 sektion.landwirtschaft@goetheanum.ch
Leader: Christiane Haid Hügelweg 53, Postfach 131, CH-4143 Dornach 1 Phone +41 (0)61 706 42 00 info@vamg.ch www.vamg.ch
Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama & Music
Vital Speisehaus AG
Section for Agriculture
School of Spiritual Science
Goetheanum
Leader: Margrethe Solstad Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 59 srmk@goetheanum.ch Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities Leader: Martina Maria Sam Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 82 ssw@goetheanum.ch Section for Social Sciences Leader: Paul Mackay Coordination: Ulrich Rösch Phone +41 (0)61 706 43 26 sektion.sozialwissenschaften@goetheanum.ch
Cafeteria – Restaurant – Organic Foods Dorneckstrasse 2 CH-4143 Dornach Vital Restaurant Phone +41 (0)61 706 85 10 Vital Laden Phone +41 (0)61 706 85 14 Boutique Persephone: Phone +41 (0)61 706 85 12 www.speisehaus.ch Lodging and Room Reservations at the Goetheanum Waltraud Frischknecht Phone +41 (0)61 706 44 45 zimmer@goetheanum.ch
www.goetheanum.org