I am so happy that I was able to attend the celebration of 100 years of ITC Naarden and 150 years of Theosophy. I look back on it with really only superlatives. I’ll tell you why… The warmest was the reunion with old, and meeting new, like-minded friends from the Netherlands and abroad. Especially the large delegation from Italy.
Most moving was the recitation of Annie Besant’s invocation with nearly 100 people at the unveiling of the “Peace Pole,” as part of a worldwide network of these memorials. Most surprising was the amount of history and additional information that Isolde Sueltemeyer shared with us about Mrs. Mary van Eeghen, her connections with Tagore, and Rukmini Devi Arundale’s deep and long connection to the ITC. And also the subsequent video connection with Leela Samson (a student of Rukmini Devi), supplemented even more insight into Rukmini’s real life.
The most practical were the lectures of our international president Tim Boyd, with which he smoothly and seemingly effortlessly inspired us for hours with personal stories about the history of the TS, sacred sites and practical application of sacred rituals in our daily lives. Ingmar de Boer, the current chairman of the TVN, also merged seamlessly into this subject matter with his own lecture.
The most unifying experience on Sunday afternoon was forged by the stories of all the European presidents and officials present, who established a connection with each other, with the past, present and future of our sections within Europe. But actually the most significant common factor was Arend Heijbroek, who introduced everyone graciously and pieced the program together, and was still open to extra questions or practical matters in the background. That’s an impressive accomplishment!
Extremely impressive and delicious were the 50 vegan cakes and mounds of macarons that Helma Kuit had baked herself especially for the two festive moments in the program. And of course, all the meals that Kabir and his team prepared for us were also delicious, varied and nutritious.
And finally the most impressive and in my opinion most overwhelming were the lectures, demonstrations and ultimately the performances of Bhavajan Kumar regarding the sacred Bharatanatyam dance. Keeping alive a medium for sacred communication that was so dear to Rukmini Devi made it abundantly clear that this is genuinely about offering a sacrifice that forms a connection between heaven and earth in the form of a dance full of symbolism. And the messenger was a beautiful, modest and special person. The transformation he underwent as a performing artist on stage was truly magical.
All the volunteers who enabled the two celebrations to run smoothly are such warm-hearted individuals, for whom no question is too much. I don’t want to name names, because I’m afraid I would forget people, but these people also deserve my deepest respect.
I can’t wait to be back at the ITC because this place truly feeds my soul.
Yoff Kau, 26 September 2025
