Acropolis News

Members of New Acropolis in England, Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria participated in an intensive summer workshop.

Participants worked together on strategies and concepts relating to the contribution of practical philosophy for an integral education, to experience universal values such as humanity and solidarity in a practical way.

The closing of the meeting was a walk to Zirbitzkogel, a wonderful mountain of the Seetal Alps, which was climbed during the night. The hikers were rewarded with a spectacular view and the conviction that any summit can be reached as a team.

Youths left with a lot of new ideas to implement in their countries; as the philosopher Seneca says: “Philosophy teaches us to act, not talk.”

Philosophical issues and events are the focus of the newly opened Phoenix Center in Graz. The multifunctional event center is run by several associations under the coordination of New Acropolis.

During the day, the Phoenix Cafe offers culinary delights and provides a wide range of magazines and information on philosophical topics.

In the evening, the Phoenix Center is a place for courses and events on the topics of philosophy, culture and volunteering.

Over 200 visitors attended the opening ceremony with live music, an art exhibition with illustrations by the artist Albert Mesner and homemade culinary delights!

Seminars including archery, Ikebana, “Commedia dell’Arte” theatre were part of the creative week organized by New Acropolis Austria in which participants had many opportunities to develop their creativity.

About 200 people of all ages attended the workshops at the Mathildenheim Centre in St. Stefan ob Leoben. An enriching experience for participants, apart from attending the creative activities, was working together and practicing team-building and organizational skills (cooking, cleaning turns) and of course practicing the art of living together.

During the recently held first Philosophy Slam in Vienna, Austria,  nine 5-minute presentations in the form rap, narration, verse, discussion… reflecting diverse points of view addressing the personal question ‘Why do we live? ‘ were shared with 100 participants who experienced an afternoon full of inspiring ideas related to the world in which we live. 
In the end one can say that it is not easy to find the ‘why’, but it is certainly worth looking for.