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 the mediation of Notburga Fischer – psychotherapist from Switzerland – who works closely with the Gestalt therapists Monika Kalinowska-Cisao and Agata Westfal in Poland/ Łódź, this wish came true. They invited us and and cocreated 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.
After lunch in Zelow, the Grandmothers were invited to the Cultural Centre to meet 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” process and suggested the subjects/theme/questions:
Photo: Rita Paulina Klysik
Exploration of what Sisterhood are – Questions as dialogue starters
How do we amplify and identify a genuine Sisterhood and make it visible?
– 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 as through this 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 metaphors for sisterhood, which were with us through the days.
– 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 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
Supporting medicine for women’s health, led by; Marzena Uchman
Slovenian exercise for women, led by Joanna Bak
Nurturing our roots, led by; Katarzyna Madej
Photo: Rita Paulina Klysik
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: 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.
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.” LINK
Earth Ritual – Closing Ceremony
The Closing Ceremony was an Earth Ritual in the forest led by Grandmother Monika. Some children who came along with their parents joined. We then planted 20 young trees on the Patiky 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 tradition, 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 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
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 :
Where has your light led you for this incarnation?
What quality do you embody with your light?
What are you using your light for now? Sophia gave a meditation journeyand 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 “Zeitpunktarticleabout 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/)
11 of the 17 delegates in the Council of European Grandmothers – Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF Aldona – Madeleine – ErikaNew delegate: Grandmother Sophia, FranceGrandmother – Beth & IsabellAldona – Lituania and Irene, SchweizAckommodation SonnenbräuGrandmother Monika, Island Grandmother Irene Keller GublerGrandmother Elisabeth, Schweiz and Erika, GermanyNorthen Irland delegate: BethPriska WenkEva WinklerGrandmother Wenche Nordberg, DenmarkHost: Elisabeth Wille/Irene Keller GublerPRosmarie Wydler WältiChrista DreggerSweden Grandmother Madeleine Spanish delegate: Isabell Manani DuchEliot Wilson and Brit – New York: FuturTina LackstätterPhotographer Fire Keeper – Grandmother Elisabeth & Monika PEACE FIRE – Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF Photographer ARIANE ELSHOF
Wednesday, 19th Thursday, 20th April 2023Wednesday, 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.
Date: Official part. Friday 17th– Sunday 19th June 2022
Friday morning, 17 th of June
The Grandmothers met for the first time in three years due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid19 pandemic. A morning walk together down to the ponds in Ytterjärna Trädgårdspark. “A garden meets a park that meets a landscape” it says about this place – Ytterjärna Conference Center – a bit outside Järna by the Baltic sea, 5 miles south of the Capital Stockholm. After the walk a internal opening ceremony for the European Grandmothers.
Opening Ceremony
On Friday evening the Official Opening Ceremony took place in the 900 year old St.Ragnild’s Church in the centre of Södertälje.
When women and men from Ukraine, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sapmi, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Lithuania, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Iran, Peru, Chile, and Africa had taken their seats, and silence fell, the fanfare for Life and Peace was raised by Mathilda Lindgren. After this a Reconciliation ceremony between genders, generations, cultures/people and Mother Earth was held in four steps and in between music, storytelling, speech and poem.
The heart of this was a touching and courageous ritual of forgiving between the male and the female, performed by Grandmother Madeleine and Martin Winter in front of the altar. Swedish musicians contributed with songs and instrumental pieces of music. Madeleine Söderström commemorated women´s suffrage in Sweden, drawing on the fact that Sweden is now entering the 101st year as the beginning of a new circle.
The ceremony ended with a huge circle of women and young people, using the whole space of the church. It was symbolically and practically completed by the men stepping in. Together we sang “Circle of Life“.
Music/talk:Ebba Svensson & Jonathan Ed. Tobias Fjälling & Daniel Lundbäck. Mathilda Lindgren. Siri Lundström. Beate Heide. Gestalta: Martin D Winter, European Grandmothers and the audience
Host: Madeleine Söderström. Malin Sommanö. Hanna Lönneborg. Gunilla Gustavsson. Marlen Ablahad Eskander Aili Lundström, 10 år
Saturday – Sunday 18 th – 19 th of June
Council Dialog in three parts:
We investigated the following questions:
1.What is life and the conditions of life?
2. How is the life support system of which we are currently a part perceived; in
3. What do we do now so that nurturing life becomes important and the basis for the
development of sustainable life systems and social systems?
A diverse group of 40 women and men of different ages, ranging from their 20’s to their 90’s, from different parts of society and 12 European countries, took part in this dialog together with the Grandmothers.
The idea was to build a safe field of research, where the diversity of people was able to be included as a whole person with a respected voice, as per the Credo of the European Grandmothers: “Everybody has the Wisdom to Support and Maintain a Sustainable World for the next 7 generations.“
Maria Bergbäck guided us expertly through a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication processes, involving movement and body postures, where we shared what is blocking life processes and what is supporting them. We began as individuals, progressed to duo’s then trio’s, etc. For example we identified with major protagonists including: “big bank“, “government“, “nature“, “science“, “children” and explored the limitations and possibilities of these systems from an insider point of view.
The second day – Sunday – was Harvest Day.
The dialog participants formed groups out of their inspiration on: „How can I bring something forward that supports the living system?“ Some Grandmothers supported the process with their centered energy by sitting in meditation.
Short summary of the dialog:
Not being angry at the system
Being aware that you are part of the Golden Net of Light/Life
Radical act of being at peace with „what is“ – is necessary
Things are complicated, but imagine, it is simple
Communication in tolerance and acceptance
The importance of listening to others and voluntarily changing perspectives.
Helping each other to listen to what we can collectively live up to.
Helping each other move to a field where we are able and willing to support the living system together.
Realize that you are a creator
A mutual love relationship with all that is giving us life and meet your own life process with love every morning.
Midsummer time in Järna, Sveden…..Abundance of light, joy and exitement. To this the side programme was a great match. It surrounded the heart of our meeting, the investigation of, “how can we support life, what are the acupuncture points?“ like a bed of flowers.
Other activities and ceremonies during the days
Saturday – Sunday 18th and 19th June
Womens gathering with Dagomara Ullman close to the see. We received symolically the seeds of life in the
form of vivid Marigold seeds.
Visiting the Reading Promotion Institute, bridgebuilder between cultures
Friday afternoon we met founder Marlen Ablahad Eskander, who reported about her work to support successful integration of immigrants into Svedish society by written and spoken word. LINK
Morning meditations
Water ceremony with Grandmother Erika Völker-Elshof
Outdoor meditation with Cellist Eva Fasth in the Rosegarden
Exibitions
Midwife Elisabeth Ubbe : The first seconds of life on earth plus talk
Artist Elisabeth Cardell: Creativity
Photographer Tom Jonasson: The forest, the forest, the forest
German Artist Eike Eschholz : Walfahrt project plus talk
Artist Ute Drexel: The beauty and magic of nature
Lecture and talk on the theme of ‘END ECOCIDE’ – as leverage and support for life, society, climate, nature and business conditions.With systemic activist Pella Thiel, Swedish: Link to End Ecocide Sweden English: https://www.stopecocide.earth
Silent walk in nature by Malin Sommanö and Tobias Fjälling
Storytelling by Isa Tibbling, Sweden and Sami Grandmother Beate Heide
Circle peace dance led by Kirsten Nistedt
Closing Ceremony – Walking the spiral
Sundayafternoon
We plant the seed of life and also the context of the Council dialog into a Closing Ceremony.
A huge spiral made of hay, was located beside our venue.
Two grandmothers as gatekeepers invited each person to enter. Everyone picked a flower from a bouquet, which had brightened up our conference room, and walked in a dignified pace towards the centre. There she/he laid down the flower; then stayed for a moment until the impulse to leave led them to stride out of the spiral-to regroup in the circle and draw the conference to a close.
A big Thank You to Grandmother Madeleine and Edda Sweden and to all who contributed to this beautiful Midsummer Council Meeting!
Mathilda Lindgren and Tobias Fjälling. Så skimrande var aldrig havet/never was the sea so shimmering; by Evert Taube
The Swedish team thanks you for visiting our country and sharing your wisdom with our wisdom and your determination to support life on our earth for the next seven generations.
We send a big warm thank you to all the visitors from all the countries and the Town Södertälje. Thank you to all the women and men from who supported this event in various ways: Siri Lundström, Aili Lundström, Malin Sommenö, Eva Fasth, Hanna Lönneborg, Gunilla Gustavsson, Marlen Ablahad Eskander, Maria Bergbäck, Isa Tibbling,Elisabet Cardell, Dagomara Danza Ullman, Ebba Svensson, Petronella Sjöö, Tobias Fjälling, Mathilda Lindgren, Daniel Lundbäck, Jonathan Ed, Anette Arenberg, Anna Gran, YIP and to Ytterjärna Conference center and Foodculture/Matkultur. Thank you to the film team: Martin D Winter and Frank Pelwitz
“Until we meet again, let us all continue planting and take good care of the seeds of Life“ The Council of the European Grandmothers
Topic – Peace International Peace Day in Collaboration with the UN in Iceland
Impressions of the 6th Meeting held in Reykjadalur i Mosfellsdal, Iceland from 19th to 22nd September 2019,
We all experienced this meeting on the island in the middle of the North Atlantic as being so special. Was it because of the topic “peace” itself, with which we connected intensely in advance? Was it the rhythm of the program which took up the pulse of bringing consciousness inward in form of meditation and outward by expressing ourselves internally and in public? (This we experienced so obviously after evening meditations when words came out of silence like lotus flowers rising from the depth of a lake.) Was it because more than half of the grandmothers were involved this time in creating and guiding parts of the program? Was it due to the 15 guests who gave their hearty contributions and attention? Was it the parts played by art, which addressed our soul and senses: Watching a huge scales loaded with burning pieces of wood in the darkness of a stormy night; Being touched by a peace poem, created as gift for this meeting; Listening to Monika playing the harp introducing morning and evening meditations; Tasting energizing colourful herbal drinks? Or being surrounded by warm water heated by the powers of Mother Earth? All of this happened during a weekend, while 1,4 million people worldwide were protesting to stop climate change. This truly allowed the enfolding of a vibrant field in which the topic “Peace” cycled around in many variations…..
With us in spirit: Pascale Sofia Swami Nitya Christine
SUMMARY:
THURSDAY, 19TH SEPTEMBER 2019
There was great joy for all of us meeting after 9 months. Our venue was a holiday spot for disabled children, located between green mountains with a warm pool and hot tub in the back.
FRIDAY, 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Opening Ritual Monika, our host grandmother, presented a colourful Peace Staff, which she and her friend, Guðfinna had prepared. It was Blessed by each of us and given a Place of Honour.
Each of us brought an Offering for the Peace Altar.
The Peace Poem, a gift from Kristján Hreinsson to the European Grandmother Council, was read by Monika in Icelandic and by Soizig in English
FRIÐUR Í friði lifir fögur sál Sem finnur lífsins mildi, Sem skynjar hjartans hlýja bál Og heimsins traustu gildi.
Og friðurinn er festa manns Sem faðmlag kann að bjóða Sem nýtur þess að náðin hans Hún nær til allra þjóða.
Því viska friðar virkar best Ef vilt þú úlfúð sefa Og hefur það í huga flest Sem hjartað kann að gefa.
Kristján Hreinsson.
PEACE In peace lives a beautiful soul that finds the gentleness of life, that understands the heart’s warm flame and the world’s most trusted values.
And peace is the determination of a man who knows how to offer an embrace who enjoys that his grace reaches all the world’s nations.
For the wisdom of peace works the best if you wish to soothen the controversy and simply keep in mind all of that the heart knows how to give.
(translation by PállÓskar)
All present were then requested to create a small Poster showing the word for Peace in their native Language.
Astrid’s Project Astrid, a young teacher from Germany, who had been involved in the Grandmother Council in Germany 2016, was invited to share her experiences with a Peace Project, created by herself, in her school. She presented touching texts from her students about Peace. This generated an idea that Astrid would speak about one of her students, a girl from Syria at the Public meeting in Thjoðminjasafn, on the Peace day.
Grandmothers Meeting After Lunch, the Grandmothers met in closed session and each presented a brief report on their work for Peace. These included:
Working for Peace and Reconciliation in war torn areas
Being a Voice for the voiceless
Developing Inner Peace
Human Rights
Conservation and Bio Diversity
The Influence of the Collective Consciousness
Working with Refugees
Releasing balloons for Peace
Climate Change
Peace being an Experience
Resuscitation of the Feminine Principle
Health Challenges
Encouraging Inner Growth in others
Using Storytelling
Meditation
Overcoming conditionings
Challenges of accepting the ‘What Is’ of the moment and going with the flow.
Walfahrt Project After a short Break, Eike joined the meeting to update the council on her Walfahrt project. She intends to have the series of 13 books complete for a Launch in October 2021 at Germany’s largest private Art Gallery at Eckernförde near Kiel on the Baltic Sea.
Fire Ceremony In the evening Gerhard König, the inventor of what is called a Fire Scales, demonstrated the balancing act of Nature’s yearly cycle between the Masculine and Feminine Energies.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY SATURDAY, 21ST SEPTEMBER 2019
Tuning in on the Theme of Peace by Meditation.
Peace Day Ceremony 1 in the town of Mosfellsbaer In a circular building decorated with an Exhibition of paintings and sculptures concerning the topic “Peace” created by the children of the preschool Rjupnahaed, we were welcomed by two deputies from Mosfellsbaer and Kopavogsbaer. The principal Hrönn Valentinusdottir explained that the children were asked open questions about “Peace” in group meetings. Out of this they produced their paintings and stories.
The essence: In a safe and loving environment I can be with myself.
A choir of children from the preschools sang a Peace Song for us. Grandmother Sabina danced the story of Lily Butterfly, written by herself. read more …
Peace Day Ceremony 2 In the afternoon, we went by bus to Reykjavik for the Opening of Peace Day in Thjodminjasafn by the former Chairman of the United Nations Association (U.N.A.), Thröstur Freyr Gylfason.
Each of the Grandmothers identified themselves, and 4 of them spoke about their personal Peace Projects. Helga spoke about Inner peace read more …, Irene spoke about her support for refugees read more …, Beate spoke about the suppression of Sami people in Norway read more … and Elisabeth spoke about her work with refugees. read more … Astrid shared a little of her Peace Project with refugee children and read a letter from a Syrian girl. read more …
Pall Oskar, Monika´s musician partner, summarized the content of the songs in English before he sang and Monika played the Harp for us
One hour Peace Walk through Reykjavik Our Sami Grandmother carried the Peace Stuff ahead.
When we returned home, Monika had a surprise in store – a Rainbow Drinks Party by the pool, prepared by Aslaug Snorradottir, who had created Colourful non-alcoholic Herbal Drinks, which were most refreshing.
SUNDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER 2019
MORNING
Following Meditation and Breakfast, we headed off by bus to Reykjanes for a Ritual. For many of us it was the first time we left the city precincts. Very suddenly the city vanished and the real landscape of Iceland, so very different and so very stark and beautiful, appeared.
Ritual – Invocation of the Elements Led by the Peace Staff, we formed into a large circle and called in the Four Elements: Earth from the North by Monika (Iceland) Water from the West by Mary (Ireland) Fire from the South by Isabel (Spain) Air from the East by Daiva (Lithuania) Maria (Europe) called in the Centre. All present offered Gratitude and Prayers to Mother Earth.
AFTERNOON
After lunch back at base the Grandmothers met in Closed Session to discuss the Future.
Grandmothers Meeting 2020 – 7th Meeting Following discussion, it was agreed that the 7th Meeting of the Council will take place in Sweden from 19th to 22nd June 2020. The Proposed Topic will be Life – How to Support Life – Inner Life – Motherhood and the Feminine Principle.
Closing Ritual Grandmothers and guests completed our meeting by performing the “Daughters and Sons of the Earth”- Ritual, guided by Erika.
EVENING
After dinner we listened to Ragnheiðu Ólafsdottir, who sang very Old Icelandic songs without instruments – Kveðskapur. She is preserving an Old Icelandic tradition.
Alongside the official program we saw a huge rainbow, we were surprised whom we met in the pool at daybreak, we had some very trustful talks and we laughed until we curled up.
We were embraced by a cheerful field of peace which nourished every day the space to be our SELF.
A big Thank You to Monika and all supporters in the background!
The Council of European Grandmothers meets every 9 months in one of the member countries, with the aim of continuing to strengthen our capacity to stay connected to the natural Wisdom that knows how to support and maintain a sustainable world for the next seven generations.
A theme of the conference is chosen in advance. Each grandmother prepares for this in her own unique way and shares her findings with the Council and the people in the host country. Rituals form a major part of each gathering and, together with events and dialogs, are organized by a team led by the grandmother of the host country. In this way, each meeting is a gift for both the host country and the visitors. It also helps us to support our daily work in our home countries for a sustainable world.
In January 2019 we met in Lithuania. Our theme was Sound and was organised by Aldona and Daiva. The rituals in the conference focused on Water, Minerals and Ether.
SUMMARY:
FRIDAY 18TH OF JANUARY 2019
It was such a lovely reunion in Hotel Domus in Birštonas. Arriving in this beautiful spot with the snow, the trees and the river all the grandmothers got together. We gathered in the meeting room, Daiva gave us all a hearty welcome, but we were all sorry to learn, that Aldona was sick and not able to be there for the welcoming ceremony.
We began our Ceremony by lighting a beautiful beeswax Candle provided by Aldona. Daiva initiated our ritual opening ceremony by explaining her personal understanding about the 5 material elements – Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Ether before going around the group on her knees offering each of us an opportunity to bless Water in our own special way. As Lithuania is one of the world’s producers of Amber, we participated in a similar blessing ceremony with a bowl of Amber crystals of varying sizes.
We also participated in the traditional Welcoming Guests with a sharing of their sacred Black Lithuanian Black Bread, and Salt.
Then we walked in procession in the dark to the snow-covered river, Nemunus, and ceremoniously offered our water to the river. In the Lithuanian tradition Nemunas is the father of Lithuanian rivers (his name comes from the Sanskrit word Munis which translate as wise). The Nemunas flows into the lagoon, and the lagoon into the sea, so we symbolically gave our water to our father to carry it to the sea.
After the ceremony we enjoyed a lovely dinner in Hotel Domus, and then gathered for a short meeting and Meditation.
SATURDAY 19TH OF JANUARY 2019
In the morning Sabina led the grandmothers through the “Morning Movement Exercises”. Influenced by her life of dancing she showed us beautiful ways of awakening the body and becoming fit for the day.
After breakfast we had our first Closed meeting. In the circle we all shared with each other what had happened since last meeting. The theme of this meeting was “SOUND”, so we also shared our thoughts about this. “What is your sound?” “What is the sound of your family?- of your country?” The contributions included:
Sound to me is the world of people, places and things.
Sound; baby’s being born, their first cry,
Music coming out of a radio – Happy, sad, dance music.
Trees full of birds singing, leaves rustling in the wind.
Sound is energy! Energy is all around us. It is everywhere even in silence…
Sound for me is an inner vibration and a wave of joy and I have this special feeling especially if I am together with children, with nature and sometimes in my daily life. At this moment I think I am in contact with my beginning, my element, the ancestors.
In the Afternoon, we had first of two opportunities to meet the people who had responded to an open invitation to meet the Council of European Grandmothers. An “Open singing seminar with Lithuanian folk singers” was arranged for us in Birštonas Community House by the non-governmental organization Bočiai with their leader Julija Barutiené.
A mixed group of females and males of a variety of ages had come to meet with us, and we all enjoyed the young singer from Vilnius, Laurita Peleniūtė, who taught us to chant Lithuanian folk songs, called Sutartines, which are in UNESCO heritage list.
Sutartinės (from the word sutarti – to be in concordance) is a form of polyphonic music. Laurita Peleniūtė and her friends did a fantastic job with us and created a warm and nice atmosphere for us all.
This afternoon showed us how very important sound is to Lithuania, and how it provides connection between people. We did not know each other when we started and after 30 minutes of singing the large group of people from 18 different European countries felt connected.
Sound is also important for cultures all over the word. The song and sound are both different and also the same worldwide. It was a great opportunity to speak direct, or through a translator, to the people who had come to meet us.
Later on Saturday afternoon we had the possibility of trying out the different facilities in Birštonas.
Some grandmothers enjoyed a mineral spa treatment, sauna or a massage or found pleasure in walking in the snow-covered landscape.
Saturday was rounded off with a good dinner and the evening meditation ceremony.
SUNDAY 20TH OF JANUARY 2019
After breakfast Aldona had arranged a bus to take us to Kaunas, where we visited the Prana Yoga Center.
The yoga teachers all met us in the circle, and it was a great pleasure to learn about this place and the background for their work here. They were interested to learn more of the aims of the Council of European Grandmothers.
Over a fantastic vegan lunch for us by the Prana Yoga Centre, we had the opportunity to share more informally.
We finished in the circle singing together.
Next stop on the program in Kaunas was the Museum of the famous painter, composer and writer M.K. Čiurlionis. Here we had a guided tour around the museum and enjoyed his paintings.
This was followed by the second Open Public Session where we met a mostly female audience from the Community. We were treated to some of the beautiful music of M.K. Čiurlionis and learned more about his life and paintings.
Some of the grandmothers talked to the assembly and all the grandmothers introduced themselves. The public put questions to the council, which were answered to the best of our ability. Afterwards there was time for one-on-one conversations. Reporters from TV and a local newspaper were present to get some interviews of us.
The weather was wintry and lovely as we later visited old Kaunas and strolled along the banks of the two frozen and snow covered rivers – Nemunas, which has a Male energy, and Neris, which has a female energy. We performed a Light and Singing Ceremony in a stone circle close to the point where the two rivers meet.
Finally we had a nice dinner at the vegetarian restaurant Radharane in Kaunas.
On the walk there we had the opportunity to hear personal memories of life during the Russian occupation and learn how deeply the Lithuanians suffered, when they were not allowed to speak their own language and live their own culture. Thankfully, they now enjoy their freedom, to live and share the richness of their native country.
MONDAY THE 21ST OF JANUARY 2019.
Internal Grandmother Meeting day
Our final meeting took place in Birstonas in the Medical SPA Eglè. We reflected over and made a summary of this Council meeting and planned the next meeting in Iceland. We received a guided tour of the excellent facility and heard of all the benefits it offers for the Restoration of Health and Wellbeing. They work on the basis that we should all “Do good things to your body that your soul has joy to live in it.”
After our meeting we had lunch at the Spa.
Then it was time to say goodbye and thank you to Aldona and Daiva and Lithuania for this lovely meeting in a very special country with very special people, of whom we now have a little more knowledge. A people and a country with a great and special story and history, which we also got to know. Thank you so much for having us.
A big Thank you also goes to
Lithuanian friends Šarūnas and Elona, Neringa and Edita
Aldona’s friend Eglė – our guide in Vilnius
Danute Kunciene who welcomed us in traditional dress in ancient Lithuanian way with bread and salt
Laura and Vilija (in museum) and Vaidas, who did a great job as translators
our permanent company Leo and our guest Gitta Gudrun for their love and support
Hade de Neve and other grandmothers for financial support
all the warm and interested Lithuanian people who treated us in such a natural and kind way
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