An ongoing effort is being made to create increased interest in this section area in Sweden. There are quite a few people active in the section area, but not many are aware of the section's work. We are a few who want to revive the section work and we hope to develop concrete ideas and initiatives over the coming year. Part of this is to reflect on and document what has been achieved so far in the field in Sweden, and through this gain an understanding of what can be further developed. One task is to see which people are active in the section area and get them interested in participating in and contributing to new initiatives.
In Sweden, over the past ten years, we have tried to create a “meeting place” for the various sections, a council, where we see how we can get to know each other's areas. It has also been a task to see and strengthen the "smaller" sections, so that all sections are included in the consciousness, to create good synergies.
Some possible focus areas for our work in Sweden:
Understanding and Respect for Different Cultures
One area of deepening can be seen as promoting a deeper and more genuine understanding and respect for different cultures and their historical backgrounds, to build bridges over the growing polarization in today's world. Meeting these perspectives can help us address and understand today's challenges and create opportunities for collaboration.
What does it mean to be a Human being in Our Time,
in a time characterized by rapid technological development, changing social structures, and various global challenges? Important work has been done at the Goetheanum within the section, especially around the question of transhumanism, examining the impact of technology on humans, and finding ways to understand and balance technological advances with human values.
Accessibility to Rudolf Steiner's Literature
Although many of Rudolf Steiner's works are already available in Swedish, there is still much to be done to make his extensive works more accessible to a broader audience, and to present these writings in a language that is both understandable and engaging for today's readers.
In Sweden, we have a publishing house founded as early as 1913, with the main purpose of translating and publishing Rudolf Steiner's writings, the “Anthroposophical Publishing House”. In recent decades, the demand for these books has decreased significantly, which has led to the question of how the activities can continue. The Anthroposophical Society has actively supported a process that has enabled the continued existence of the publishing house.
New Initiative: Audiobooks
The Anthroposophical Society has started a project to create audiobooks and has received a generous grant from the Vidar Foundation, which enables the production and publication of ten books, half of which will be works by Rudolf Steiner and the rest secondary literature. Another independent publisher takes care of production and distribution. Members have been invited to come with suggestions for titles that may be relevant. Previous attempts with audiobooks have been made, but now there is an opportunity to make a larger investment. Audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular and suit many people's way of absorbing literature today.
Storytelling
The Anthroposophical Society has begun to organize occasions where storytelling is invited, and it has been very appreciated. During the autumn of 2024, there were a couple of occasions in Järna to take part in the Parsifal story, and we hope to be able to continue with similar meetings in 2025 where one can approach, for example, Shakespeare or other authors. A previous idea has been to add small performances with typical music of the time, and we will see what can be developed.
I hope that our work in Sweden can become a more active and engaged part of the international work in the future and there are many opportunities for cooperation and exchange.
Mats-Ola Ohlsson
Mats-Ola Ohlsson
mats-ola@norrbyvalle.se