86. Announcement of the London Congress of July 1905

The “Congress of the Federation of European Sections of the Theosophical Society” in London will take place on July 8, 9 and 10, 1905. Mrs. Annie Besant will serve as President. The Secretary is Johan van Manen of 23 East Parade, Harrogate. The purpose of this Congress is to further the objects of the Theosophical Society and to strengthen the bond between its members and organizations, especially the federated sections. This year's Congress will be held at the Empress Rooms, High Street, Kensington. The program will be as follows: Saturday morning, July 8: Opening of the Congress and the sections; in the afternoon, letters from friendly societies will be read and in the evening there will be a dramatic performance in the Court Theatre. On Sunday, July 9, there will be section meetings in the morning and evening, and in the afternoon a social gathering will be held. On Monday, July 10, there will be morning sessions of the departments, a concert in the afternoon, and a social gathering in the evening. In the individual departments, papers submitted by members of the society will be presented, and the authors present will give short lectures on the subjects of their papers. The departments are as follows: A. Brotherhood (historical, philosophical, practical). B. Religion, Mysticism, Comparative Folklore. C. Philosophy. D. Science (including borderline sciences). E. Art. F. Administration, Propaganda, Working Methods, etc. G. Occultism.

The exhibition, intended for art and applied art, will present works by members of the Theosophical Society and by artists who, while not members, have been inspired in their work by Theosophical ideas. Pictures of a religious, symbolic or mystical nature will be given preference. Special efforts are being made to assemble a good collection of works in the applied arts; almost all types of work can be included. Particular consideration will be given to works in lighting, writing, printing and bookbinding. The exhibition will be held in the Empress Rooms and will be open during all days of the Congress. It will be open not only to members of the Society but also to non-members.

The musical events will be similar to those of the Amsterdam Congress.

There will also be a dramatic performance. The Court Theatre, Sloane Square, has been booked for the evening of July 8.