Goetheanum closed as work continues

Dear members,Due to decisions taken by the Swiss government on how to deal with the coronavirus the Goetheanum is closed to the public from 18 March and expected to reopen on 19 April.

This means that there will be no guided tours and all events, including Class Lessons, have been cancelled. The Goetheanum Book Shop is closed (books can be sent by post) as are the cafeteria and the Speisehaus Restaurant. The shop (Vitalladen) remains open.

AGM postponed

Under the circumstances the Executive Council and Goetheanum Leadership had to decide to cancel this year’s Annual Conference and to postpone the Annual General Meeting to a shorter gathering on 31 October 2020. New deadlines apply for announcement, publication of the agenda and the submission of motions. The Conference of Country Societies will also be postponed and will take place from 28 to 30 October 2020; the School of Spiritual Science Conference with all nineteen Class Lessons will be held from 1 to 6 November 2020.

Appointment and reaffirmation

The appointment of Ueli Hurter as a member of Executive Council took place by co-optation and he has been part of the Executive Council since March 2020. Since his appointment has not been confirmed yet by the AGM, he will not be able to make legal decisions on behalf of the Executive Council. We invite you to consent to the co-optation of Ueli Hurter at the AGM in autumn.

For Joan Sleigh, whose reaffirmation was due at the AGM, circumstances have changed. She will move to South Africa once her present period in office comes to an end and will not be available for an extension. Possible future tasks for Joan Sleigh and further appointments for the Executive Council will be discussed by the present Executive Council members and their proposals presented at the next AGM. (See also the comment on Joan Sleigh’s decision below).

The Executive Council’s annual report and the treasurer’s detailed financial statement will be made accessible in writing (in German and English) in good time before the rescheduled AGM.

The theme of the Annual Conference

The theme chosen for the Annual Conference is particularly pertinent in view of the measures taken against the coronavirus across the world. Having asked “What are we building on?” in 2018 and focused on “The Heartbeat of Our Time” in 2019, our motto this year would have been the encounter with the world, in which we can find ourselves as we “Willingly Unite with it in Love” (cf. Rudolf Steiner, GA 26, Chapter on The World Thoughts in the Working of Michael and in the Working of Ahriman”).

This aspect of unfolding our humanity by connecting with the world is like a mission – where it succeeds, our human essence becomes tangible, and this is no less true now than it was before the authorities put precautionary measures in place. We need to deal with this new situation.

Work at the Goetheanum continues

Apart from the cancellations mentioned, work will continue at the Goetheanum as far as possible, in all departments and sections of the School of Spiritual Science. Staff members can usually be reached by email and phone and Reception continues to be open and accessible via the West Entrance.

Please note that, in line with Swiss government recommendations for health protection, staff members are required to adhere to hygiene and other precautionary measures (including the keeping of distance), and to work from home wherever possible. | Justus Wittich, Joan Sleigh, Constanza Kaliks, Matthias Girke for the Executive Council at the Goetheanum