An appeal to save the Eranos Foundation Word Version
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Prof. Graziano Martignoni, Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst, University
of Fribourg and Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera
Italiana Prof. Claudio Risι, Psychoanalyst, Journalist and Writer, University dell'Insubria, Varese (I) Prof. Ilario Rossi, Anthropologist, University of Lausanne, Dep. of Medicina e Salute
Comunitaria e Fac. di Scienze Sociali e Politiche Dr. Giovanni Simona, Geographer, Alta Scuola Pedagogica del Canton Ticino e Gruppo Pangea April 2003 An appeal to save the Eranos Foundation Located
in Moscia, near Ascona on the western shore of Lago Maggiore, 3 houses
surrounded by a large park have been the site of one
of the most important cultural centers of the 20th
century. The
Eranos Foundation was established by Olga Froebe-Kapteyn in conjunction
with the great swiss psychoanalyst C.G. Jung. At Eranos, conferences
were held for nearly 70 years hosting the best-known researchers in
cultural history not only from Europe, but from the entire world. Famous
names such as Corbin, Suzuki, Eliade,
Kerenyi, Portmann, Hillman, Durand, Servier, Brun and others presented
their research and considerations and involved their audience in
discussions following the lectures. All the conferences were published
annually in the yearbooks of Eranos, which were printed in several
languages and can be found in libraries throughout the world. Eranos has
contributed in a substantial way to the fields of psychology, cultural
anthropology, mysticising etc. promoting a dialogue between various
cultures and more specifically between East and West. These early
investigations are still of great relevance and offer ample material for
further research. Since
1933, the year in which Eranos began its conferences, the Foundation has
always funded itself thanks to contributions
by cultural promoters and benefactors, without government grants.
Unfortunately today, seventy years after the birth of this project, the
Foundation finds itself facing a difficult financial situation and its
position as a contributor to world culture is threatened and risks being
closed definitively. A small group of people who are connected to the
Foundation is trying to save the property and the library from being
sold and has contacted various organisations to save the future of
Eranos. Daniele Bonetti from Locarno has been given the responsability
by the Foundation to restructure and reconceptualize the organisation.
This means obviously to secure the continuation of the scientific and
cultural vision of Eranos. On the other hand, the difficult financial
situation makes it necessary to expand the cultural activities of
Eranos, notably by improving the
existing premises and making a better use of the infrastructures,
increasing activities and interactions with the sustaining members. In
the same vein, several institutions that have collaborated with Eranos
in the past will be addressed for renewed contact. In
the future Eranos, also maintaining its status as a private foundation,
Eranos should be ruled by a board of directors including local, regional
and govermental rapresentatives and other related institutes. In
addition a scientific board will be created to develop conferences,
seminaries and guide the relationships between the various research
institutions. The
group of supporters endeavoring to save the fate of Eranos has contacted
various public officials who have happily shown a genuine interest. The
first persons to sign this petition are individuals who believe that a
personal pledge may help public institutions to join their concern for
the survival of Eranos. A
support group backing the efforts indicated in this appeal would
constitute a strong message evoking the vital cultural past and future
of Eranos. We invite you to sign this petition by filling out the form
attached. Your name will be added to the list of the supporters of this
initiative to promote Eranos. The letter will be submitted to the local
and regional public institutions. We
thank you for your kind attention, we hope to be able to count on your
support. Sincerely yours First
subscribers:
Prof.
Graziano Martignoni
Prof. Claudio Risι
Supporter of the appeal to save the Eranos Foundation Ascona
. Send
please to: Dr. Giovanni Simona, vic.St. Antonio 38 CH-6618 Arcegno |