Difference between revisions of "Argentina, Theosophy in"

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The last decade of the eighteenth century saw the appearance of a group of people, bred in the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. Known as the generation of the 90s, they greatly influenced the political and economic organization of the Latin American nations. But, above all, they laid the foundations of an inter-American culture and thought. Especially in Argentina they set an example of moral conduct in public office, which was an inspiration for following generations.  
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In the last decade of the nineteenth century, a group of people imbued with the Masonic ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity greatly influenced the political and economic organization of Latin American nations. Especially in Argentina they set an example of moral conduct in public office that inspired later generations.  
  
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In that environment, the first Theosophical Lodge Luz (“Light”) was founded in Buenos Aires on January 7, 1893. Its first president was Antonia Martinez Royo; and the house where it was established continued almost unchanged up to 1953. Meetings took place on Sunday afternoons, and the main feature was that most of the members were well-known public persons: deputies, senators, writers, scientists, and teachers, among them Federico W. Fernandez, Alejandro Sorondo, Leopoldo Lugones, Alfredo B. Palacios, Joaquin V. Gonzalez, Jose Ingenieros, and Rodolfo Moreno, names that can be found nowadays in any book concerning Argentine history.  
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The first Argentine Theosophical Lodge, named Luz (“Light”), was founded in Buenos Aires on January 7, 1893. Its first president was Antonia Martinez Royo. Meetings took place on Sunday afternoons and most of the members were well-known public persons: deputies, senators, writers, scientists, and teachers, among whom were Federico W. Fernandez, Alejandro Sorondo, Leopoldo Lugones, Alfredo B. Palacios, Joaquin V. Gonzalez, Jose Ingenieros, and Rodolfo Moreno, all famous in Argentine history. Subsequently, lodges were formed in neighboring countries: Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil. As there were three lodges working in Buenos Aires when Henry S. Olcott visited that city in 1901, he suggested the foundation of a South American Section, with Luis Scheiner as his correspondent, although that Section did not come into being until 1930.
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Argentina has been the center of the Theosophical movement in South America. After the establishment of Lodge Luz in Buenos Aires, other Lodges were formed in neighboring countries: Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil. As there were three Lodges working in Buenos Aires when H. S. OLCOTT visited that city in 1901, he suggested the foundation of a South American Section, appointing Luis Scheiner as his correspondent, but this did not take place until 1930.  
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On July 6, 1919, representatives from eight Argentine Lodges, one from Uruguay, and one from Paraguay, for a total of 264 members, formed the Argentine Section of the Theosophical Society. Several magazines were published. The first General Secretary was Federico Valles Vargas, and the following General Secretaries succeeded him: Mario Martinez de Arroyo, Alfredo Escardo, Annie Mannie Gowland, Adrian Madril, Arturo Montesano Delchi, Carlos Stoppel, Honorio Folquer, Raul Wyngard, Jose Maria Olivares, Mariano Calvo, Enrique Gossweiler, Nazareno Rimini, Andrea Ponde, Luis Spairani, Manuel Farinish, Juan Vinas, Juan Cassibba, Juan Carlos Palmeri, Nora Spairani, Silvia Blajer, Jorge Cesano, Silvia Liliana Pastore, and Jorge García.
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On July 6, 1919, representatives from eight Argentine Lodges, one from Uruguay, and one from Paraguay, representing 264 members, formed the Argentine Section of the Theosophical Society. The first General Secretary was Federico Valles Vargas, and the following General Secretaries succeeded him: Mario Martinez de Arroyo, Alfredo Escardo, Annie Mannie Gowland, Adrian Madril, Arturo Montesano Delchi, Carlos Stoppel, Honorio Folquer, Raul Wyngard, Jose Maria Olivares, Mariano Calvo, Enrique Gossweiler, Nazareno Rimini, Andrea Ponde, Luis Spairani, Manuel Farinish, Juan Vinas, Juan Cassibba, Juan Carlos Palmeri, Nora Spairani, Silvia Blajer, Jorge Cesano, Silvia Liliana Pastore, and Jorge Garcia.
  
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Argentine journals have been as follows: During the pre-sectional period: 1895, ''Luz Astral''; 1898, ''Philadelphia''; 1905, ''La Verdad''; 1912, ''La Estrella de Occidente''; 1913, ''La Cruz del Sur''; and 1917, ''Ondas Buddhicas''. Later: 1919, ''Teosofia en el Plata''; 1944, ''Revista Teosofica Argentina''; 1958, ''Teosofia''; 1972, ''America Teosofica''; 1981, ''Informativo Teosofico'';  
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Argentine journals by their years of initial publication have been 1895: ''Luz Astral''; 1898: ''Philadelphia''; 1905: ''La Verdad''; 1912: ''La Estrella De Occidente''; 1913: ''La Cruz Del Sur''; 1917: ''Ondas Buddhicas''; 1919: ''Teosofia En El Plata''; 1944: ''Revista Teosofica Argentine''; 1958: ''Teosofia''; 1972: ''America Teosofica''; 1981: ''Informativo Teosofico''; 1990: ''Cambios''. Since 1947, a Spanish translation of ''The Theosophist'' has been published and distributed to all Spanish-speaking countries. From 1947 to about 1966, almost all the articles published in ''The Theosophist'' were translated and republished in this Spanish-language journal.
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1990, ''Cambios''; 1993 onwards, ''Teosofía en Argentina''. Since 1947, the translation into Spanish of the ''THEOSOPHIST'' has been undertaken and published regularly and distributed to all the Spanish-speaking countries.  
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In 1954 there were 65 Lodges, 98 groups, and 1531 members. A characteristic of this period was the formation of many Lodges that lasted only for a short time. In 1992 there were 500 members, working in 28 Lodges in Argentina and one Lodge in Paraguay. The premises in the following cities belong to the Section: Buenos Aires, Rosario, Cordoba, Mendoza, San Rafael, Carlos Paz, Mar del Plata, Rio Cuarto, San Lorenzo, and La Plata. The General Secretary and the national council are, at present, in Rosario. The national journal, ''Teosofia en Argentina'', is published quarterly. It is sent to members, public libraries, schools, universities, etc. An important activity is carried on by the Department of Information, in the city of Rosario, which prepares slides, audio-visuals, and videos for rent and distribution among Lodges and for the public. Workshops and training courses are often held all over the country to train members on group work, speech, study techniques, and research. In 1985 the Theosophical Society took part in an educational congress organized by the Argentine national government, with the presentation of a project on education based on Theosophical principles.  
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This translation project was coordinated, and most of the translations made, by Mr. Salim Webber from the Lodge in Río Cuarto City. The magazines once published were delivered under subscription. Then in 2006 a project was accepted by the National Assembly for translating into Spanish ''The Theosophist'' and other English Theosophical literature. The Project started with Elaine Grassano and Alicia Salinas from Córdoba city translating the articles and making them available through the Argentine web page: www.sociedad-teosofica.com.ar. Though the group of volunteers who are part of the project has varied in size over the years, it continues and is being improved little by little.
  
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An outstanding event in the activities of this Section since 1990 has been its participation in an International Book Fair, held in Buenos Aires every year. About a million people visit this Fair and it is a good opportunity to sell books, distribute leaflets, and give information about activities in the various centers. Lately, similar activities have been started in inland towns. A summer school is held for a fortnight every year, and a winter school for a week. National gatherings are held throughout the country all year long. Radio programs have been broadcast for the last ten years in several cities. Buenos Aires presents an hour-long program once a week, on a specialized station.
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In 1954 there were 65 Lodges, 98 groups, and 1531 members. In 1992 there were 500 members, working in 28 Lodges in Argentina and one Lodge in Paraguay. Premises in the following cities belong to the Section: Buenos Aires, Rosaria, Cordoba, Mendoza, San Rafael, Carlos Paz, Mar del Plata, Rio Cuarto, San Lorenzo, and La Plata. The General Secretary and the National Council work in Buenos Aires. The National Journal ''Cambios'' is published quarterly and is sent to members, public libraries, schools, and universities. The Department of Information, in the city of Rosario, prepares slides, audio-visuals, and videos for rent and distribution among Lodges and for the public. Workshops and training courses are held all over the country to train members in group work, lecturing, study techniques, and research. In 1985 the Theosophical Society took part in an Educational Congress organized by the Argentine National Government, presenting a project on education based on Theosophical principles.
  
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The Argentine Printing Press was founded in 1953, and dozens of Theosophical books have been printed in Spanish and distributed to Spanish-speaking countries. Books are sent not only to the Sections but also to public bookshops. The Argentine Section is building, little by little, a camp — Colonia Teosofica — in San Rafael, province of Mendoza, a region near the imposing mountain range of the Andes. The design for this camp includes a five-wing star-shaped building to be used for dormitories, dining room, lecture room, and library. At present, four wings have been built and summer and winter schools are held there, with the presence of members from the provinces and also from neighboring countries, such as Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile.  
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Since 1990, an annual international book fair is held in Buenos Aires. About a million people visit this fair, which provides an opportunity to sell books, distribute leaflets, and present programs. More recently, similar activities have been started in towns inland. A summer school is held for a fortnight every year, and a winter school for a week. These are usually conducted at the Theosophical Center in San Rafael, Mendoza in west Argentina. National gatherings are held in various parts of the country all year long. Radio programs are broadcast in several cities. The Argentine Printing Press, founded in 1953, has published dozens of Theosophical books in Spanish and distributed them to other Spanish-speaking countries.  
  
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Young people have taken an active part in the Argentine Section from an early time. In 1962, they formed an Argentine Federation and in 1973 an inter-American Federation, which was active for several years. The main characteristic of this movement is that it has not been apart from Sectional activities but participated actively in everything carried on by the national officers. At present, several youth groups are working in the country and holding summer and winter camps. An Argentine ROUND TABLE was founded in 1905 and is still working in several cities. The THEOSOPHICAL ORDER OF SERVICE has also been working for a long time. In 1990 it was revitalized thanks to the appointment of a new director and the implementation of new activities. It is very active in Buenos Aires.  
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Young people have taken an active part in the Argentine Section from an early time. In 1962 an Argentine Federation for them was formed, and in 1973 an Inter-American Federation was founded and was active for several years. The main characteristic of this youth movement is that it is not separate from the Section’s activities but participates actively in everything carried on by the national organization. A Round Table was founded in 1905 and is still working in several cities. The Theosophical Order of Service has also been working in Argentina for a long time.  
  
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The South American Federation, which worked between 1930 and 1962, held its first congress in Argentina in April 1930.The idea of a federation that could include the whole of the American continent was always cherished by Argentine members. Juan Vinas, a well-known lecturer, started traveling through various countries in order to strengthen the links between them. Finally, when the Inter-American Federation was formed in 1972, Luis Spairani, from Argentina, was elected as its first president. He gave the Federation a strong impulse that set the direction of its work in the years to come.
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The South American Federation, which functioned between 1930 and 1962, held its first congress in Argentina in April 1930. The idea of a federation that included the whole of the American continent was cherished by Argentine members. Juan Vinas, a well-known lecturer, started traveling through various countries in order to strengthen the links between them. Finally, when the Inter-American Federation was formed in 1972, Luis Spairani, from Argentina, was elected as its first president. He gave the Federation a strong impulse which set the direction of the work in the years to come.
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An outstanding event hosted by the Lodges in Buenos Aires in 2012 was a meeting among the several organizations that study Theosophy in this city. It was a new approach to these groups that will surely lead to a better understanding and cooperation among all of them. The general theme was universal BROTHERHOOD, which proved very successful. Publications from six different groups committed to the spreading of Theosophy were available on stands. Artistic activities were also carried on, and there are plans for future events of the same kind in the making. It is a wonderful example of the spirit of our first Object put into practice!
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Nora Spairani
 
Nora Spairani
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Maria Rosa Martinez Garcia
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© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila
 
© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila

Revision as of 21:21, 4 February 2013

In the last decade of the nineteenth century, a group of people imbued with the Masonic ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity greatly influenced the political and economic organization of Latin American nations. Especially in Argentina they set an example of moral conduct in public office that inspired later generations.

The first Argentine Theosophical Lodge, named Luz (“Light”), was founded in Buenos Aires on January 7, 1893. Its first president was Antonia Martinez Royo. Meetings took place on Sunday afternoons and most of the members were well-known public persons: deputies, senators, writers, scientists, and teachers, among whom were Federico W. Fernandez, Alejandro Sorondo, Leopoldo Lugones, Alfredo B. Palacios, Joaquin V. Gonzalez, Jose Ingenieros, and Rodolfo Moreno, all famous in Argentine history. Subsequently, lodges were formed in neighboring countries: Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil. As there were three lodges working in Buenos Aires when Henry S. Olcott visited that city in 1901, he suggested the foundation of a South American Section, with Luis Scheiner as his correspondent, although that Section did not come into being until 1930.

On July 6, 1919, representatives from eight Argentine Lodges, one from Uruguay, and one from Paraguay, representing 264 members, formed the Argentine Section of the Theosophical Society. The first General Secretary was Federico Valles Vargas, and the following General Secretaries succeeded him: Mario Martinez de Arroyo, Alfredo Escardo, Annie Mannie Gowland, Adrian Madril, Arturo Montesano Delchi, Carlos Stoppel, Honorio Folquer, Raul Wyngard, Jose Maria Olivares, Mariano Calvo, Enrique Gossweiler, Nazareno Rimini, Andrea Ponde, Luis Spairani, Manuel Farinish, Juan Vinas, Juan Cassibba, Juan Carlos Palmeri, Nora Spairani, Silvia Blajer, Jorge Cesano, Silvia Liliana Pastore, and Jorge Garcia.

Argentine journals by their years of initial publication have been 1895: Luz Astral; 1898: Philadelphia; 1905: La Verdad; 1912: La Estrella De Occidente; 1913: La Cruz Del Sur; 1917: Ondas Buddhicas; 1919: Teosofia En El Plata; 1944: Revista Teosofica Argentine; 1958: Teosofia; 1972: America Teosofica; 1981: Informativo Teosofico; 1990: Cambios. Since 1947, a Spanish translation of The Theosophist has been published and distributed to all Spanish-speaking countries. From 1947 to about 1966, almost all the articles published in The Theosophist were translated and republished in this Spanish-language journal.

This translation project was coordinated, and most of the translations made, by Mr. Salim Webber from the Lodge in Río Cuarto City. The magazines once published were delivered under subscription. Then in 2006 a project was accepted by the National Assembly for translating into Spanish The Theosophist and other English Theosophical literature. The Project started with Elaine Grassano and Alicia Salinas from Córdoba city translating the articles and making them available through the Argentine web page: www.sociedad-teosofica.com.ar. Though the group of volunteers who are part of the project has varied in size over the years, it continues and is being improved little by little.

In 1954 there were 65 Lodges, 98 groups, and 1531 members. In 1992 there were 500 members, working in 28 Lodges in Argentina and one Lodge in Paraguay. Premises in the following cities belong to the Section: Buenos Aires, Rosaria, Cordoba, Mendoza, San Rafael, Carlos Paz, Mar del Plata, Rio Cuarto, San Lorenzo, and La Plata. The General Secretary and the National Council work in Buenos Aires. The National Journal Cambios is published quarterly and is sent to members, public libraries, schools, and universities. The Department of Information, in the city of Rosario, prepares slides, audio-visuals, and videos for rent and distribution among Lodges and for the public. Workshops and training courses are held all over the country to train members in group work, lecturing, study techniques, and research. In 1985 the Theosophical Society took part in an Educational Congress organized by the Argentine National Government, presenting a project on education based on Theosophical principles.

Since 1990, an annual international book fair is held in Buenos Aires. About a million people visit this fair, which provides an opportunity to sell books, distribute leaflets, and present programs. More recently, similar activities have been started in towns inland. A summer school is held for a fortnight every year, and a winter school for a week. These are usually conducted at the Theosophical Center in San Rafael, Mendoza in west Argentina. National gatherings are held in various parts of the country all year long. Radio programs are broadcast in several cities. The Argentine Printing Press, founded in 1953, has published dozens of Theosophical books in Spanish and distributed them to other Spanish-speaking countries.

Young people have taken an active part in the Argentine Section from an early time. In 1962 an Argentine Federation for them was formed, and in 1973 an Inter-American Federation was founded and was active for several years. The main characteristic of this youth movement is that it is not separate from the Section’s activities but participates actively in everything carried on by the national organization. A Round Table was founded in 1905 and is still working in several cities. The Theosophical Order of Service has also been working in Argentina for a long time.

The South American Federation, which functioned between 1930 and 1962, held its first congress in Argentina in April 1930. The idea of a federation that included the whole of the American continent was cherished by Argentine members. Juan Vinas, a well-known lecturer, started traveling through various countries in order to strengthen the links between them. Finally, when the Inter-American Federation was formed in 1972, Luis Spairani, from Argentina, was elected as its first president. He gave the Federation a strong impulse which set the direction of the work in the years to come.

Nora Spairani Maria Rosa Martinez Garcia



© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila

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