Pyotr Tchaikovsky
In February 2020 the physician Pyotr Tchaikovsky was appointed representative of the Anthroposophical Society in Russia.
The story goes that Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sergei Prokofieff once went through customs together and the official – taken aback when checking their passports – introduced himself as ‘Debussy’. But today we are not talking about the composer but about the new representative for Russia within the global Anthroposophical Society. Asked to introduce him in Anthroposophy Worldwide, I had the following conversation with my friend Pyotr.
«What has your professional career been like?»
«I started off as an assistant in the department for the visualization of new research and practical developments at the Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow (RU). But then I decided to study medicine and after completing my studies I worked as a medical doctor for 25 years. In various private outpatient clinics I was able to look after my own patients.»
«You speak of your work as a physician in the past tense?»
«I am 64 and retired, but continue to be consulted by many friends and acquaintances, and acquaintances of friends. I live on the outskirts of Moscow, but spend much of my time in a small village around 500 kilometres west of the city.»
Recognition of Anthroposophic Medicine
«How did you get to know anthroposophy?»
«I was 19 years old when I met anthroposophy and found a spiritual home among a group of young anthroposophists. We studied spiritual science – at the time clandestinely in the underground – and performed Rudolf Steiner’s Mystery Dramas in small apartments. Sergei Prokofieff was one of my best friends.»
«Were you able to integrate anthroposophical aspects in your professional work?»
«Yes, homoeopathy has a long tradition in Russia. Since the mid-1980s physicians from Germany and Switzerland have visited us, teaching us the foundations of Anthroposophic Medicine. Last year, Anthroposophic Medicine received official recognition as a medical discipline from the ministry of health. We have many anthroposophic doctors in this the country and anthroposophic and homeopathic medicines are widely available.»
Mediating, connecting, balancing
«What do you see as your task within the Anthroposophical Society in Russia?»
«There is much that is not easy here. Social coherence is not our strength. Opinions, feelings and emotions clash frequently. I see my task in continually mediating, connecting and balancing. It is a therapist’s task.»
«What do you expect from the anthroposophists in Central Europe?»
«I can’t say anything general on this. In my view, it is important to establish as many personal contacts and encounters as possible – in both directions: from Russia to Central Europe and vice versa.»
«What are you particularly interested in?»
«At the moment, I am interested in the human ‘I’, which is currently fought over vehemently at many levels. The School of Spiritual Science is very important for our work. I hold regular Class Lessons and offer conversations in Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan (all RU). Class members are meeting in three further cities in Russia. We usually have a bigger Class conference once a year but are currently restricted because of the Coronavirus crisis.»
Web: Anthroposophical Society in Russia