The Fateful Year of 1923

GA 259 — 16 June 1923, Dornach

Invitation to All Societies and Groups to the International Delegates' Conference in Dornach

Dear Friends,

At the Annual General Meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland, held in Dornach on June 10, it was unanimously decided to invite delegates from the Anthroposophical Societies of all countries to a meeting in Dornach at the end of July. This decision arose from a proposal that was already contained in the letter sent by the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain to the branches in all countries on June 8. We would like to refer to that letter here, assuming that it will already be in your hands.¹

The purpose of this delegates' meeting is, above all, to ensure that the reconstruction of the Goetheanum, which we all long for, and the necessary financial measures for this, arise from a joint decision of the Anthroposophical Society in all countries. We are now able to give you the final news that the insurance money has been paid out by the authorities. It will now be necessary to muster all our strength to ensure that the additional funds needed for the full reconstruction are secured from the insurance money that has been paid out. With this in mind, a major campaign has already been successfully launched among the members in Switzerland. It was suggested that each member of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland donate at least 1000 francs over a period of 12 to 15 months, a plan that was unanimously and enthusiastically embraced. However, the spirit of the Anthroposophical Society requires that the work of reconstruction be undertaken jointly by all countries. We warmly recommend this plan to all members in all countries.

Financing should emerge from the international assembly of delegates in July in a unified way. The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland has passed the following resolution:

"The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland expresses the wish in today's assembly: Dr. Steiner should take charge of the reconstruction of the Goetheanum in Dornach. It grants him, as the leading artistic director, full authority to carry out the construction in every respect, both in terms of the use of the funds earmarked for this purpose and the selection of the personalities to be involved, at his own discretion and arrangement, without any interference from the members.

The task of the Anthroposophical Society in all countries will now be to provide Dr. Steiner with the material means to carry out this great work, so that he can erect the new building as a symbol of the unity and energy of the Anthroposophical Society.

We therefore take the liberty of inviting you to send the authorized representatives of your country to Dornach on July 22.

We hope that many friends from various countries will also be present.

Dr. Steiner will give a cycle of three lectures on the theme: “Three Perspectives on Anthroposophy” on July 20, 21 and 22, 1923 [in GA 225].