World Philosophy Day is part of the annual calendar of the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture – Unesco, and celebrated in the third week of November. In October 2022, the headquarters of the International Organization New Acropolis in Northern Brazil (IONA NB) began a month of intense activities including lectures, exhibitions and artistic presentations.

The theme for last year’s lectures was symbolic language as a profound message for human consciousness, which invited reflections on universal symbols, the hero’s journey and various mythologies throughout the cultures of all continents.

The philosopher Prof. Lúcia Helena Galvão began the celebrations of World Philosophy Day with a series of short courses and lectures in João Pessoa and Natal attended by thousands of people.

Lectures and short courses were given at the headquarters of New Acropolis Brazil North on topics such as: Roman Culture – Mythological Origins of Rome, Architecture and Sacred Geography, Roman Rites, Platonic Myths, e.g. The Myth of the Cave, The Myth of Prometheus, The Myth of the History of Civilizations, The Myth of Gyges and the Ring of Power: The Value of Conviction, The Ramayana – The Story of the Human Soul, Inner Gods, How to Recognize the Symbols of Life, Norse Mythology, Symbolism in Ancient Egypt, The Myth of Hercules, Eros and Psyche – The Journey of the Soul, The Power of Myth, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Symbolism in Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.

On-line events

The YouTube channels of New Acropolis also offered lectures by Prof. Lúcia Helena Galvão on Heroic Myths – A Comparative Vision; by Prof. Luís Carlos Marques Fonseca on The Symbol as Language of Life, and by Prof. Luzia Helena Echenique on  Symbols for Reflection.

Several Centers in Brazil promoted broadcasts followed by colloquiums. At the Brasilia Center, Prof. Luís Carlos Marques, national director of IONA NB, coordinated the dialogues during the week, receiving audiences from various regions of the Federal District.

Artistic activities

Artistic activities also attracted large audiences. In Sobral (CE), the local shopping center hosted the exhibition A Odisséia; in Rio Verde (MT) there was a guided exhibition on The Myth of Hercules; in São Luís (MA) the Mythology and the Soul of Maranhão was addressed; in Fortaleza (CE) there was an exhibition entitled Plato – his myths and symbols and an art appreciation session on the Symbolism in Wagner’s operas; in Cuiabá (MT) an exhibition of Replicas of Classical Sculptures and Paintings was organized; in Campina Grande (PB) the exhibition Greek Heroes; in Natal (RN) the photographic exhibition The Image as Symbol of the Heart and the sculpture exhibition Symbology Present in Everyday Life; in Nova Parnamirim (PB) took place the exhibition The Symbolism Behind Classical Paintings and a meeting with Q&A on The Symbolism of the Magic Flute and in Brasilia (North Lake) art appreciation dedicated to Mythical Sculptures by Bernini, Canova and Thorvaldsen. And, in the Northern region of the country, in Manaus (AM), there was a talk on the Symbolism of Chess followed by a practical workshop and a class Symbols for Children with storytelling, painting and acting. There were also philosophical cafés: one in Barra do Garças (MT) inspired by the theme How to live the virtues behind the myths and another one in Porto Velho (RO) on Invisible Egypt and the power of symbols, and also philosophical dinners on Indian Mythology in Fortaleza (CE) and Brasilia (Asa Sul).

To close the activities around World Philosophy Day, in Brasilia, on Sunday, November 20, there was an exhibition of books and a musical show at the Poupex Auditorium with a presentation by the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Acropolis Youth Choir with the participation of musicians from the Symphonic Movement and a subsequent lecture by Lúcia Helena Galvão on Education and Values.