10th Council Meeting – Lodz/Poland September 2024

10th Council Meeting – Lodz/Poland September 2024

Topic: Sisterhood

Place: Poland – Łódź – Patyki
Date: September 28-29th 2024 
Present Grandmothers:
Aldona, Beate, Elisabeth, Erika, Helga, Isabel, Madeleine, Mary Anne, Monika, Irene, Toni, Wenche, Sophia.  
Absent: Grandmother: Mary, Pascal, Swami Nitya

Photo: Rita Paulina Klysik

Background to this Council Meeting 

We go east and open in a way a new chapter in Poland for our Council. At our last meeting in Switzerland, we shared the vision to go east and a wish to hold our next Council meeting in Poland.

Through Notburga Fischer – psychotherapist from Switzerland –  this wish came true. The Gestalt therapists Monika Kalinowska-Cisao and Agata Westfal in Poland/ Łódź invited us and the Council Meeting to Poland and Co-Create the 10th Council Meeting there.

In March 2024 Monika and Agata had the first of a series of online meetings with Grandmothers Aldona (Lithuania), Erika (Germany), Wenche (Denmark), Madeleine (Sweden) and Co-created the Conference, program, practical parts and ceremonies together as a team, in a genuine sisterly way. The Council does not have a delegate in Poland so we shaped and prepared this 10th Council meeting in a completely new way with the women from Poland. Monika and Agata took care of the organization at home in Poland: They looked for the venue, spread the information and invitations in Poland and collected proposals of contributions from Polish women and men for the local part of the workshops. They also contacted the authorities of Zelow, the town close to our venue in the woods; Patyki, who took patronage.

Internal Grandmothers Meeting

Friday, 27th September

As part of the Internal Meeting, the Grandmothers were taken on a Tour – Horse Carriage – to See the Sites and Learn the History of Zelow and lunch together.

After lunch in Zelow, the Grandmothers were invited to the Cultural Centre to meet and have a dialogue with Senior women who meet regularly to create beautiful handicrafts and paintings, take part in Drama and provide activities for children and youngsters. We got to know each other, shared wisdom and experiences about how to support a city’s safe development as a community in different ways and at the same time the sisterhood of joy and we had warm and intimate exchanges.

Official Days

Saturday 28th 

Morning meditation and yoga – Breakfast 

Grandmother Erika welcomed everybody to the 10th Council Meeting, with the topic „Sisterhood“. She briefly introduced our history from the beginning in 2015 up to now, and talked about the planning for this special meeting, which started with the invitation from Poland. She thanked the planning team, and presented flowers as a special thank you to Agata Westfal and Monika Kalinowska-Cisao for their great co-creation together with the organizing team of Grandmothers Aldona, Erika,Madeleine and Wenche. 

We opened the Council Meeting with a short Ceremony: The candle was lit, the Grandmothers formed a center and a circle and sang their traditional council song.

A short presentation by each Grandmother in her native tongue and in English followed.

Photo: Ariane Elshof
Council Dialogue

Grandmother Madeleine introduced the topic for the Council dialogue and the steps in which it was to be explored.

Then the big group of 80 participants was divided into two groups, one for English speaking and one for Polish speaking participants. Pavel Lasomil and Martha Konfederak from Poland conducted the polish speaking group around a fire in a big tipi. The English speaking group was facilitated by Grandmother Madeleine from Sweden as an outdoor dialogue in the midst of pine trees. Women and some men aged between 15 to 80 shared and reflected openly and trustfully their thoughts and experiences about what makes Sisterhood genuine for them personally and for society in general. 

These 2 groups met 50 minutes later in a big tent for a joint circle dialogue. This exchange had a “Fishbowl“ format: 4+1 chairs for conversation in the middle, surrounded by a big circle of all the other participants on the outside. All participants were invited to take part in the dialogue to Explore what Sisterhood is about.. 

Grandmothers Madeleine and Aldona facilitated the “Fishbowl” dialogueprocess and suggested into the circle the subjects/theme/questions:

Exploration of what Sisterhood are – Questions as dialogue starters 
  • How do we amplify and identify a genuine Sisterhood and make it visible?
  • What are the qualities of genuin Sisterhood? 
  • How do we recognize  Sisterhood?
  • When and how did you have experienced sisterhood? 
  • Does sisterhood also include men?

Sharing and statements about genuine Sisterhood 

Grandmother Wenche was inspired to make a piece of art in order to express her understanding of sisterhood: Two women arm in arm swinging on a branch.

Grandmother Monika from Iceland compared the quality of sisterhood to the interbeing of trees in a forest: Sisterhood as a support and signaling system that communicates beyond words as Mycelium does under the trees. There is an interconnected network of roots and fungal threads, where stronger trees send nutrients to
weaker trees. Mycelium is part of Mycorrhiza which is a vast web, an invisible network of support and communication that gives the forest high resilience in case of hazards or damage. Reference was also made to the invisible spiritual web which connects all life on an energy level.Therefore „Mycelium“ and „Mycorrhiza“ became became metaphors for sisterhood, through our days together.

– An issue which popped up several times was that Sisterhood creates a safe environment where friends, children, colleagues can grow and be themselves. You know it when you feel it. 

– It is not about gender, it is a way of living life and caring, being careful with all living species

– For many women being a sister means speaking the same “language“, women share a common story (her story) of living thousands of years in masculine dominated (his story) societies and the common experience of taking care of children and support for families and communities. This creates a genuine language.

– Sisterhood doesn´t judge, but backs another friend/sister in her/his development. She knows that growing takes time. Sometimes slow growing is the fastest path forward and supports the living system for several and seven generations.

– Sisterhood is care and concern for all living beings, all the time, everywhere.

– By exploring and living sisterly values we are able to serve as role models for others.

– Martha and Pawel from Poland told about the “sister/brother  groups” they hold in Łódź once a month that make it possible to support a sisterhood in both genders.

Parallel workshops

After lunch there was an opportunity to participate in Parallel workshops hosted by women from Poland

  • Crocheting and handcrafting, led by Monika Kostrzewska; Poland
  • Supporting medicine for women’s health, led by; Marzena Uchman; Poland
  • Slovenian exercise for women, led by Joanna Bak, Poland
  • Nurturing our roots, led by; Katarzyna Madej, Poland

Inspirational good practices – Europe

Following a Coffee break there was a short sharing of good practice and inspiring initiatives currently happening in Europe

– Grandmother Elisabeth, Switzerland, gave a report about the Klimaseniorinnen (Women +67 years) in Switzerland and the success the had in The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled on Tuesday, April 9 2024: “The states have a responsibility to protect their citizens against climate change”. This historic ruling means that 2,000 women in the climate group KlimaSeniorinnen have won their case against the Swiss state.The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights found that Switzerland had violated certain human rights by not doing enough to meet its emission targets. The court ruled that EU member states are obliged to protect their citizens from the consequences of climate change. A milestone in the protection of individual human rights. For those who wish to know
more please READ MORE

– Grandmother Madeleine, Sweden, spoke about the Aurora initiative where some 600 Young people in Sweden are in “a group lawsuit” suing the state for not do enough to protect their citizens from the consequences of climate change, and not treating the climate crisis as a crisis.Because of the success of the Klimaseniorinnen in Switzerland,
they feel more hopeful that Sweden can follow that judgement.
READ MORE

– Grandmother Madeleine, Sweden, reported about Ecocide Law that is an important legal protection for Mother Earth. A major step towards a yes to an international protection/law has been taken on the 9th of September, 2024: 3 states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court consider the new proposal from three Pacific Island States Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa – to make mass destruction of nature #ecocide an international crime. A fifth crime alongside a) genocide b) crimes against humanity c) war crimes d) crimes of aggression. More and more countries have now taken decisions to have an ecocide law on at national level. The next step is to create a common law for all United Nation countries. It is now considered that the time is ripe for the ICC to finally assess that there are possibilities for the law to break through. The initiative taken by these three countries is a major breakthrough in bringing about one of several important legal protections for Mother Earth that govern the actions and economic flows of businesses and states. READ MORE . In Europa/EU has also agreed to create new offence that aims to punish the most serious crimes against the environment for the EU Counties. New law aimed at preventing and punishing “cases comparable to ecocide”. READ MORE

– Helga shared another example of sisterhood, which she views as so important in these times of war: She is involved in an international support group (WWP) of Isrealian „Women Peace Wage“ and Palestinian „Women of the Sun“. They bring Israelis and Palestinians together to spread a call of peace and a strong message of hope. The movement unifies women from different communities and backgrounds, empowers them and promotes a non- violent resolution of the conflict.

– Eliot Livingston read a letter about sisterhood from his mother, Isabel Livingston, who had travelled from the US to attend several previous grandmother gatherings, but was nota able to participate this time: Two women in the family tree, one black, one white, without knowing each other, were both engaged in fighting against slavery and racism.

Water Ceremony

This was followed by a Water ceremony at the riverside led by Grandmother Sophia. We saw a rainbow while walking to the beach. During the ceremony fishes jumped out of the water and birds added
their sound. Sophia walked into the water and sang a holy watersong. We felt how the water brought us closer.- we felt the spirit of sisterhood. 

Peace Fire

After Dinner, there was a Peace Fire, led by Grandmothers Monika, Helga, Irene and Sophia. It was a special night made even more magical by the sounds of Monica playing her harp.

Official day 

Sunday 29th

Morning meditation and yoga  – Breakfast 

Sisterhood Human Mandela – 7th generations

Notburga Fischer, Gestalt therapist from Switzerland, led a 3 stage process for a Human system mandala
We started by moving with music. Then we chose a partner to gently dance with taking each other’s movements, mirroring and continuing them. Then in Groups of three, each individual allowed their spirit to express freely in a sheltered space supported by the other two following the movements. This powerfull and gentle exercise became for many an experienced (second) metaphor of sisterhood. This was followed by a silent meditation in the beautiful pine forest, after which we went inside and made a big human mandala, working with the seven generations of ancestors.The grandmothers were aked to form an outer circle. Their presence provided an additional layer of trust and protection to the process as each person gave back a burden and received a resource from the
generation line. After Lunch  there was a Lecture “Sisterhood with the Earth and all her beings” by Grandmother Isabel who offered ideas on How we can we make the best choices to support Mother Earth LINK

Sisterhood with the Earth and all her beings

Lecture by Grandmother Isabel, Spain: How can we make the best choices, for the good of Mother Earth.

“We women are the guardians of life and that implies that we have to do everything possible so
that Mother Earth and all the beings that live on her and from her, begin to have a relationship
of sisterhood.”

Earth Ritual – Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony was an Earth Ritual in the forest led by Grandmother Monika. And here som children and families participated. It was followed by rooted the genuin sisterhood qualities during planting of 20 young trees on the Patyki parklands, while Grandmother Monika was playing the harp.

End of the Official Council program

Thank You

Thank you to Agata Szlęk, who was the Polish-English voice and helped us understand each other.

Thank you to Marta Konfederak and Pavel Lasomil Przybylski for holding the circle with such great care and professionalism.

Thank you to Notburga Fischer, for a beautiful workshop – Human Sisterhood Mandela.

Thank You Pyszny Zakatek Restaurant in Zelow, for all the good food and inspiration for all the guests from other European countries to genuine Polish food traditionin, in the event at Patyki.

Thank You Rita Paulina Klysik for documenting the entire event and special moments ( Ceremonies are not dokumented. (Ceremonies are conducted with the focused presence of all participants including the photographer, hence are conducted without photography during the event.)

We would like to thank Ola Stankiewicz for her sociological study on Sisterhood, you can read her article below :Password – Sisterhood – reflections from a short sociological study.

We thank Natalia Zuk- Michalowska, who finalized our efforts to get the word Sisterhood into the Polish dictionary of neologisms. And we thank Mrs. Prof. Katarzyna Klosinska for putting it right there.

Thank you to Marika and Karina, the stick sisters and head of the Patyki resort center, who took care of the space, enabled us to plant and root sisterhood qualities, by replanting trees on their land and supported us throughout the process 

Summary and report: Grandmother Wenche, Madeleine, Erika and Maryanne

Photo Gallery: Fotographer: Rita Paulina Klysik, and Ariane Elshof

Photo: Rita Paulina Klysik

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE CONFERENCE (down below on the page) Photo:

Polish page for the Council Meeting in Zelow, Poland

View the program details (English)

View the program details (Polish)

9th Council Meeting – Wildhaus/ Switzerland- Feb 2024

9th Council Meeting – Wildhaus/ Switzerland- Feb 2024

Topic: Light

Hosts: Grandmother Elisabeth Wille and Irene Keller Gubler. Delegates from Switzerland in the Council of European Grandmothers

Official report and Summary of the Council Meeting 

Date: 1 – 5 February 2024. 
Topic: LIGHT
Present: Grandmothers: Aldona, Bette, Elisabeth, Erika, Irene, Madeleine, MaryAnne, Monika, Isabel, Wenche

Absent: Grandmothers: Beate, Helga, Pascale, Sabina, Swami Nitya, Toni
In Attendance: Sophia Clemenceau. 
Place: Wildhausen https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/wildhaus/  
Accommodation/Lunch/Dinner: at B&B Schönenboden www.schoenenboden.ch
Photos: Down below – after the text report – Photographer on most posts: ARIANE ELSHOF

Internal Council Meeting February 1-4


1st evening – Thursday February 1, 2024
Irene welcomed us with the sound of the Alphorn to our meeting room. Elisabeth and
Irene introduced the location, the program for these few days and a presentation on
the topic LIGHT.  Then a welcome and opening Ceremony.

Friday February 2, 2024
Council organization; internal work day
MaryAnne introduced us to the Celtic light celebration of Imbolc which is celebrated
in Ireland and in other countries on the 1 st February each year.
Wenche presented the birth horoscope of the European Council.


Some of the visitors were with us when we had the pleasure to meet Sonja
Morgenegg, professional Singer and Yodeller. She gave a small workshop to teach
the techniques and the old communication traditions of Swiss Yodelling and taught
us a yodel to the Sunrise. 


We took a Cable Car to Gamplüt for a reflection and walk in the mountains. 


Council organisation internal work continued.
Dialog, meditation and a circle on the reflection on the topic – LIGHT :

  1. Where has your light led you for this incarnation?
  2. What quality do you embody with your light?
  3. What are you using your light for now?
    Sophia gave a meditation journey and briefly presented the teachings of the Council of Elders of the 13 Moons.

Saturday February 3, 2024
Council internal organization development day
Erika and Madeleine hosted practices for the Council’s step into the next now. They
also held a circle dialogue about practical and organization matters and a dialog about the report from the Council Meetings 1-8 that Toni had prepared for the 9th Council.


Isabel Livingston gave a short conference on permaculture for the Council.
Eliot L Wilson and Brit gave a short introduction about his passive habitat project-
 https://futur.earth- Living and housing system. 


Internal Council Meeting continued
Aldona gave a meditation with a short body and focus preparation.
Council internal organization developing day continued with Erika and Madeleine
leading practices for the Councils next step. 
Process to find our next step into the “next now”: 
We decided to go in a new direction for the next council meeting. It was agreed to
Go East and organize a council in a new country. A council working group was
formed to prepare the location, flow and format for the next council meeting in
September 2024. The 2025 council meeting is planned for Ireland in 2025. Denmark
and Belgium are also in the dialog for next coming Council Meetings.
Circle dialog; practical and organization matters.
Closing the Council internal meeting


Saturday February 3, 2024, evening 

Official activity


Fire ceremony.
By the lake Schönenbodensee and at the foot of the Alpsstein we held a peace fire.
People from different areas in Switzerland arrived in the evening and participated.
The fire was set up by Dieter. The ceremony was guided by Monika and Elisabeth. It
was a beautiful, strong, hopeful and warm ceremony under the stars. 

Sunday February 4, 2024

Official Day

Open day with lectures and exchange 9 am -17 pm
Premises/local:  The Municipal hall of Wildhaus: Chuchitobel Opening ceremony 
The Grandmothers made a Circle and sang their song; “There is no time but now” as
an opening ceremony.
Elisabeth Wille welcomed everyone and introduced the programme for the day and
the European Council of Grandmothers. Each grandmother introduced herself briefly and spoke about one of the Council meetings and the theme addressed, year by year since its creation. 

After the introduction there were lectures on:
“Being born into the Light. Loss of twins – personal experience from the prenatal period”; Elisabeth Wille
The importance of the first 1000 days of life from the prenatal period. Potential of us
grandparents during this time; Irene Keller Gubler.


“Why love is stronger than violence”; Christa Dregger

Away from world events, even in crisis areas, communities and villages of the future
are emerging And living a reality of peace that is (still) a utopia globally. Christa
showed us the healing effect of the ‘peace research community of Tamera’ and the
alliance ‘Defend the Sacred’ with their non-violent and spiritually holistic life models.
A new culture is becoming visible here.


Dialog 


Lunch: Together public and Grandmothers mingled and enjoyed lunch
in restaurant “Alpstein”


President of the organisation Klima Seniorinnen Rosmarie Wydler–Wälti presented
“Why we need the Klima Seniorinnen”.
The association KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz with over 2,500 members aged 65+, who
is suing the federal government in Switzerland because female seniors are
particularly affected by global warming. The lawsuit was rejected by all instances in
Switzerland. They have now submitted a lawsuit to the European Court of Justice
For Human Rights in Strassburg. https://en.klimaseniorinnen.ch


Dialog


“Two Nordic Stories relating to the Light”- Norrsken, Aurora Borealis
Due to the hurricane in northern Norway Beate Heide, Sami delegate could not
travel to Switzerland. Wenche Nordberg from Denmark/Norway gave the Story of
Northern Lights in North Scandinavia. Where the sky sometimes turns into
blue/green flames dancing on the floor of the sky and what one of the many stories
says about this wondrous light.


Eliot L Wilson told us about his passive habitat project: Futur – Living and housing
systems that strive to make a life in harmony with the Earth
possible. https://futur.earth


Dialog with The European Grandmothers together with the Public/Visitors/Guest/Lectures – The
living climate and how to expand light in our time.

-What we can all do to support development in the world. Questions
and dialog about The Council’s work. The Council of Grandmothers intentional
vision. How each of us and all people together can help peace find a place on earth
and in life. About the Grandmothers’ work together with young people in different
countries. Why it’s not only important to the Council what we do, but also so
important to us how we do things. This means also that efforts at a private and local
level change at a global level and vice versa. Question and answers about what
people contribute to provide space and support for The Council of European
Grandmothers’ work in Europe.
There was a lot of dialog and flow during the days about going east to Poland as a
next step. One of the visitors also inspired the Council to go to Poland and offered
connections there for the Council 2024. 


The Hosts for the Official part of the conference in the City Hall – Grandmother
Elisabeth and Irene – thanked the audience for participating. We closed with the
Circle all together “there is no time but now”. 

Internal Closing meeting back at B&B Schönenboden
Closing Council Meeting Switzerland February 2024

Sophia – delegate from France – becomes a new member of the Council. Then we
made a summary of the days in Switzerland 2024. The Hosts, Irene and Elisabeth,
thanked all for the Council Meeting days and we all thanked them for the great days
in the beautiful nature of Wildhaus and the Swiss Alps. Closing Ceremony.
We also want to give a big thank you to the municipality of Wildhaus, who received
us and supported our council meeting in Switzerland.

A big thank you…

…to Priska Wenk and her team in B&B Schönenboden and the
fantastic hospitality, service and food during our stay and also to Tina Lackstätter the
Chef in the kitchen some of the days. Many thanks to Eliot and Cornelia for their
translation work. To Eva for her helping during the whole time, and to Ariane for the
photos. Many thanks also to everyone who helped in various ways and thanks for all
the support of donations in various ways to support the Council meeting in
Switzerland and the European Grandmothers work through the gifts. And thank you to all the visitors, guests and lectures.

/The Council of European Grandmothers


Article

Christa Dregger Journalist at “Zeitpunkt article about the organisation and the Council Meeting in Schweiz 
 “…I found something very valuable in this
group: a deep kindness combined with a lot of competence! How often does
competition and the pressure to gain recognition dominate in political circles! Not
here. Patience and caring are important qualities of the European Grandmothers.
But that alone would not do them justice: clarity, foresight and willpower are also part
of it, as I discovered.

The hours in this group made it clear to me once again why some anthropologists
say that only the presence of women after childbearing age made cultural
development possible: only if there are women who are not directly concerned with
their offspring, but rather with their care and with the focus on the whole tribe or
community can a culture look beyond immediate needs. They meet every nine
months. 
The ninth meeting was organized by the two Swiss delegates – Elisabeth Wille and
Irene Keller Gubler – and took place from 1 to 5 February in Wildhaus. As February
2 is a holiday dedicated to the rebirth of light in different cultures (“Imbolc”, “Light
Fair”), the theme this time was “Light…”. 

Read the whole article here in German:https://zeitpunkt.ch/chapeau-fuer-
den-rat-der-europaeischen-grossmuetter . (More articles and films about
the Council and the next Council Meeting you can find
here: https://councileugrandmothers.eu/news/)

Read the whole article here in German:https://zeitpunkt.ch/chapeau-fuer-den-rat-der-europaeischen-grossmuetter . (More articles and films about the Council and the next Council Meeting you can find here: https://councileugrandmothers.eu/news/)

Picture Gallery: Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF

11 of the 17 delegates in the Council of European Grandmothers – Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF

Fire Keeper – Grandmother Elisabeth & Monika
PEACE FIRE – Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF
Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF
Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF
Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF
Irish delegate – Grandmother Maryanne Gosling
Ariane – Isabel – Brit
Eliot L Wilson
Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF
9th Meeting Program in English

9th Meeting Program in English

Swiss Council Meeting 2023

EUGM Programme 3. and 4. Feb 24 Wildhaus

9th meeting of the Council of European Grandmothers in Wildhaus on the topic of “Light”

The first days of February have been special days since time immemorial: the daylight is clearly perceptible, the hours of sunshine are increasing. Life in nature is slowly waking up, winter will soon be over.
In the Celtic tradition this time is called Imbolc when they Celebrate the Return of Brigid, the Goddess of Light. The Christian culture knows these days as Candlemas – candles are blessed that will accompany you through the year.

After our internal work on the “Light” from February 1st to 3rd we open the circle to everyone, women and men, young and old!
Translation is provided.

Saturday

Time:
Meeting point: Cost: Registration:

Sunday

Time:

3 February 24: Peace Fire

8 p.m. to approx. 9 p.m.
parking lot at Schönenbodensee, 9658 Wildhaus; from there it’s a short walk
none
requested before January 15th
by mail info@councileugrandmothers.eu or website www.councileugrandmothers.eu

4 February 24:

09.15 to 09.45 09.45 to 10.30

10.30 to 10.45 10.45 to 12.00

12.30 to 13.45 14.00 to 15.15

15.15 to 15.30 15.30 to 16.15 16.15 to 17.15

Lectures and exchange

Welcome and introduction of the Council of European Grandmothers

“Being born into the Light”; Elisabeth Wille, Irene Keller Gubler The importance of the first 1000 days of a person’s life
Loss of twins – personal experience from the prenatal period
Potential of us grandparents during this time

Break
“Why love is stronger than violence”; Christa Dregger

Away from world events, even in crisis areas, communities and villages of the future are emerging And living a reality of peace that is (still) a utopia globally. Christa will show us the healing effect Of the ‘peace research community of Tamera’ and the alliance ‘Defend the Sacred’ with their non- Violent and spiritually holistic life models. A new culture is becoming visible here.

Questions and exchange

Dinner together in the nearby restaurant “Alpstein”
Costs: 27 CHF (salad buffet, spaghetti or rice with various sauces, coffee / tea)

“Why we need the KlimaSeniorinnen”; Rosmarie Wydler
The association KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz with over 2500 members is suing the federal Government because the Seniors are particularly affected by global warming. Our complaint was Rejected by all instances in Switzerland. That’s why we went to the European Court of Justice For Human Rights. Their verdict will have repercussions for the whole of Europe.
Questions and exchange

Break
“Two Nordic Stories relating to the Light”; Beate Heide, Sami

Questions, exchange and conclusion

Location:
How to get there: by post bus: “Wildhaus Dorf” stop, from there it’s a 5-minute walk

by car: large parking lot «Chuchitobel» Costs: voluntary collection

Registration: absolutely necessary for organizational reasons before January 15th
by mail info@councileugrandmothers.eu or website www.councileugrandmothers.eu

9th Meeting Program in English

9th Meeting PROGRAMME in German

EUGM Tagesprogramm Wildhaus KLEIN

9. Treffen des Rates der Europäischen Grossmütter in Wildhaus zum Thema «Licht»

Die ersten Tage im Februar sind seit Urzeiten besondere Tage: das Tageslicht nimmt deutlich wahrnehmbar zu, die Sonnenstunden werden mehr. Das Leben in der Natur wacht langsam auf, der Winter ist bald vorbei.
In der keltischen Tradition wird diese Zeit Imbolc genannt: da wird die Rückkehr von Brigid, der Göttin des Lichtes, gefeiert. Die christliche Kultur kennt diese Tage als Lichtmess – Kerzen werden gesegnet, die einem durchs Jahr begleiten werden.

Nach unserer internen Arbeit vom 1. bis 3. Februar zum „Licht“ öffnen wir den Kreis für alle, Frauen und Männer, jung und alt!
Für Übersetzung ist gesorgt.

Samstag

3. Februar 24: Friedensfeuer

20 Uhr bis ca. 21 Uhr
Parkplatz beim Schönenbodensee, 9658 Wildhaus; von dort aus kurzer Weg zu Fuss keine

Zeit:
Treffpunkt:
Kosten:
Anmeldung: erwünscht bis 15. Januar 24

per Mail info@councileugrandmothers.eu oder Website www.councileugrandmothers.eu

Sonntag

Zeit:

4. Februar 24:

09.15 bis 09.45 09.45 bis 10.30

10.30 bis 10.45 10.45 bis 12.00

12.30 bis 13.45 14.00 bis 15.15

15.15 bis 15.30 15.30 bis 16.15 16.15 bis 17.15

Vorträge und Austausch

Begrüssung und Vorstellen des Councils of European Grandmothers

«Das Licht der Welt erblicken»; Elisabeth Wille, Irene Keller Gubler Die Wichtigkeit der ersten 1000 Tage im Leben eines Menschen
Zwillingsverlust – persönliche Erfahrung aus der pränatalen Zeit
Potential von uns Grosseltern in dieser Zeit

Pause
«Warum Liebe stärker ist als Gewalt»; Christa Dregger

Abseits vom Weltgeschehen, auch in Krisengebieten, entstehen Gemeinschaften und Zukunftsdörfer und leben eine Realität des Friedens, die global (noch) eine Utopie ist. Wie und warum diese «Heilungsbiotope» eine heilende Wirkung haben werden, möchte Christa anhand der Friedensforschungs-Gemeinschaft Tamera und der Allianz ‘Defend the Sacred’ beleuchten: mit gewaltfreien und spirituell-ganzheitlichen Lebensmodellen wird hier eine neue Kultur sichtbar.

Fragen und Austausch

gemeinsames Essen im nahegelegenen Restaurant «Alpstein» Kosten: 27 Fr (Salatbuffet, Spaghetti oder Reis mit div. Saucen, Kafi / Tee)

“Warum es die KlimaSeniorinnen braucht”; Rosmarie Wydler
Der Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz mit über 2500 Mitgliedern klagt gegen den Bund, weil die Seniorinnen von der Klimaerwärmung besonders stark betroffen sind. Unsere Beschwerde wurde von allen Instanzen in der Schweiz abgewiesen. Deshalb gelangten wir an den Europäischen Gerichtshof für Menschenrechte. Dieses Urteil wird für ganz Europa Auswirkungen haben.
Fragen und Austausch

Pause
«Zwei nordische Geschichten zum Licht»; Beate Heide, Sami

Fragen, Austausch und Abschluss

Ort: Anreise:

Mehrzweckhalle «Chuchitobel», 9658 Wildhaus
mit Postauto: Haltestelle «Wildhaus Dorf», von dort 5 Minuten zu Fuss mit Auto: grosser Parkplatz «Chuchitobel»
freiwillige Kollekte

Kosten:
Anmeldung: unbedingt erforderlich aus organisatorischen Gründen bis 15. Januar 24!

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ARTICLES 2015-2023

ARTICLES 2015-2023

Schweiz 2024

https://zeitpunkt.ch/chapeau-fuer-den-rat-der-europaeischen-grossmuetter

Spain 2023

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-WuOdxr7UV2Z7_wrTDCRBZexGeuwYbPofz13RkacbVQ/edit#heading=h.lkjon1jymz0c

Sweden 2022

https://www.lt.se/2022-06-16/22-aldre-kvinnor-fran-hela-europa-samlas-till-stormote–i-sodertalje

https://landetsfria.nu/2022/nummer-332/radsmote-ska-diskutera-omsorg-om-liv/

Eckanförde 2021

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q_VaJSacP91nlVAzroBjOsLEspIKqCAqiaYoV6zBvTI/edit

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1-RMDnh2gFIxHNwGAuKXl6fh2cgG6f1v_

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1ObgGfZTOG_AI8-1bMNtNfahFWkTpfUsi

https://www.shz.de/lokales/eckernfoerder-zeitung/Eckernfoerde-Kongress-Walfahrt-auf-Carlshoehe-und-am-Strand-id34104552.html

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q_VaJSacP91nlVAzroBjOsLEspIKqCAqiaYoV6zBvTI/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lMIDL5fem57pBM3cLgKpb2_M2KVbIOCfYl9PmBXJqEs/edit?usp=sharing

Island 2019

https://visitreykjavik.is/event/peace-parade-celebrate-international-day-peace

Lituania 2019

3.55 min in the News program INIT TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4SsrEvdHd4

Italy 2018

Norway 2017

Germany 2016

Italy 2015

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

Journalist Luis-de-Miguel talk with Grandmother Isabell and Tina, Spain;

At the 8th Council meeting. Spain 2023

8th Council Meeting Spain April 2023

8th Council Meeting Spain April 2023

Topic: Death

Official report/summery

Council of European Grandmothers

Council Meeting in Spain – Christalera de Miraflores, Madrid 

April 19-21 2023

Present: Grandmothers: Aldona, Bette, Elisabeth, Erika, Irene, Isabel, MaryAnne, Monika, Pascal, Sabina, Swami Nitya, Tina, Toni, Wenche,

Absent: Grandmothers:Beate, Daiva, Helga, Madeleine, Mary, Sofia, Soizig

The Council of European Grandmothers

Wednesday, 19th Thursday, 20th April 2023 Wednesday, 19th Thursday, 20th April 2023

The grandmothers met for two days on their own, focusing on the theme of Death and its various facets; Connections to the traditions of the various European countries; Approaches and the personal views of each Grandmother on the subject. Together they approached and examined Death – where everything stands still. There was a diversity of understandings based on each Grandmother’s personal experience and the traditions of her country. 

The programme of their days together also covered items for dialogue about our common present situation, and the steps into the future of the Council in a time of upheaval for the world and Europe. There were also practical items regarding the organization of the Council. The grandmothers each reflected and shared their positions.

A decision was taken to invite Sophia Clemenceau from France to come next year as a guest to visit and participate in the group.  This follows the agreed method of expanding the membership of the Council of European Grandmothers.

MaryAnne and Erika

Christalera de Miraflores – Madrid

Public Events

Friday, 21st April 2023

A small gathering opening Ceremony took place. Grandmother Wenche from Denmark gave a Talk on Astrology, with particular emphasis on the role that the Planet Pluto, with his transformative power, is playing in all our lives at the present time.   Her paper on “The Approach to the Stars”  can be accessed in downloadable pdf as the end of this report.

Zuzka Cortes expressed her  deeply touching encounter with death in Flamenco Dancing.

Alexandria Oleinika and Alexia Wulfer-Buldenka read some of their poems.  We got the emphasis but not the wordly content, for the reading was done in Spanish.

The official Opening Ceremony took place in the Miraflores Theatre in the evening. Grandmother Swami Nitya began on the stage by calling in the five elemental energies.

Grandmother Sabina performed the Dance of Death.

The Grandmothers individually introduced themselves to the audience.

Grandmother Tina gave a talk on the Spirituality of the Palaeolithic Woman and its repercussion in our days.

Fiona Issler elaborated on this using ancient and modern Art Sculptures.

Saturday, 22nd April 2023

Following Meditation with Exercises, after breakfast the Grandmothers and guests went in procession to a field by the river, where Grandmother Monika led a Water Ceremony where the council members contributed waters brought from their countries – a water gathering ritual. Which was then presented to the River for circulation for the good of the Earth.

Grandmothers Swami Nitya, Tina, and Isabel offered their Reflections on this year’s topic: Death. (More details available in a downloadable pdf at the end of this report).

One of the visitors from America, shared her personal experience of what is called a Near-Death Experience.

After lunch and time for conviviality, We listened to a Viola de Gamba Concert Recital by Pere Ros.

This was followed by three round Table dialogs where questions were put into the dialog from

  • Swami Nitya, concerning the transformation by death
  • Tina, concerning Transhumanism
  • Isabel, concerning practical issues of death

After dinner; there was singing, dancing, and sharing around an Outdoor Fire.

Sunday, 23rd April 2023

After breakfast following Meditation with Exercises, there was a Silent Walk through the mountains, honouring Mother Earth.

Afterwards, Grandmother MaryAnne spoke about the Importance of Food for Life – Body, Mind and Soul.  More details available in a downloadable pdf at the end of this report).

Grandmother Pascal led a Butterfly Meditation. More details available in a downloadable pdf at the end of this report.

Lola Roma presented information on the Sweet Revolution. More details available in a downloadable pdf at the end of this report.

This was followed by a Closing Ceremony 

Lunch

MaryAnne/Erika

ATTACHED FILE pdf: 5 Speech and Meditations from the Council Meeting in Spain.

ATTACHED FILE: Tina Lindhard article – Modern-Day Globalization:

ATTACHED FILE pdf: Tina Lindhard article – Paleolithic Women’s Spirituality and its Relevance to us Today

PROGRAMME