Strengthening the good
The Ascension Conference on the future of the Anthroposophical Society and movement did indeed take place in Kassel (DE) from 22 to 24 May.
In no other German-speaking town could this conference have gone ahead. Despite the Corona-related restrictions, but thanks to special arrangements in the German State of Hesse, the Anthroposophical Centre in Kassel was able to open its doors wide and offer places for 75 people in its 600-seat auditorium.
The theme of the conference was ‘Strengthening the Good. How can everyday life become a service to God?’ and, based on artistic, social, cultural and ceremonial contributions, the team consisting of Steffen Hartmann from Hamburg (DE), Johannes Greiner from Dornach (CH) and Anton Kimpfler from Freiburg (DE) expanded on the idea of the ‘reversed cult’. It all grew out of a mood of stillness. The conference, shaped entirely by the community of speakers, musicians, listeners and those who contributed to the conversation, culminated in an evening of eurythmy, speech and music: Sharon Karnieli from Zurich (CH) guided us into cosmic expanses with poetry and music chosen especially for Ascension. The Impulse Eurythmy Ensemble from Berlin (DE) with Katharina Okamura and Pia Secondo presented poems by Hans Müller-Wiedemann and Paul Schatz, musically framed by Arvo Pärt’s Fratres: an appeal that moved us all deeply! In between the two presentations, Gabriele Kleber from Freiburg (DE) recited some of her own poems and Steffen Hartmann played pieces by Torben Maiwald. The auditorium then resounded with a piece by Aram Khachaturian performed by Johannes Greiner.
Like pillars of light
What was special was that, because everyone sat alone, we were like pillars of light in the auditorium, individuals connecting heaven and earth, but forming a community nevertheless, anticipating, as it were, Whitsun as the festival of the free individuality.
A spiritual gathering in challenging times! The Anthroposophical Centre in Kassel also intended to send out a sign of hope with this conference. A big thank you to everyone involved and especially to those who helped to prepare this event.
We felt supported and acknowledged from above, too, and heard the spirit call of Michael.