After the last public evening talk given by Falco for 2009, many guests, both Italian and international, went to the Temples of Humankind to participate in Midnight Action. Damanhurian musicians playing didgeridoo, flute and drums created a festive atmosphere in the Labyrinth as people painted murals together. Shortly before midnight, the work came to a close and all gathered together in the Hall of Earth for the Ritual of the Cornucopia, welcoming in the New Year with graceful celebration and a sense of togetherness and community.

The Ritual of the Winter Solstice was held at Damjl, with over 130 guests present from Italy and various parts of the world: France, England, Germany, Austria, Norway, Croatia, Canada, America and Japan. The day was sunny and clear, though quite cold, with temperatures reaching -11 degrees Centigrade (12 degrees Fahrenheit). The ritual was held at the main circle for rituals at Milte, with snow cover on the ground and the small lake nearby completely frozen.

Luca Poma, journalist and spokesperson for the international campaign of pharmaceutical vigilance, “Hands off the children,” gave a conference at Damanhur Crea as part of the Educating with Intention series. Pomo spoke about the importance of listening to the needs of children and appreciating the uniqueness of new generations, instead of characterizing them as ill. Poma educates on alternatives to medication, offering useful information for those who work in schools and health fields.

The Damanhur Center of Modena, Italy, along with Conacreis, organized a public presentation of I Creativi Culturali / The Cultural Creatives, a book by Enrico Cheli and Nitamo Montecucco, leader of the global village Bagni di Lucca. After an introduction by Orango Riso, Cheli spoke to a public of about 80 people at the San Carlo Foundation in Modena. According to Cheli’s research with surveys conducted throughout Europe about individual interests and activities, he concluded that 35 percent of the population can be defined as Cultural Creatives.

The President of the Piedmont region of Italy, Mercedes Bresso, participated in a meeting entitled, “A good energy for good politics.” Bisonte Quercia (Antonio Nigro), Paolo Cento – the former Sub-Secretary of the Economy, and Luca Robotti – Regional Counselor, also participated in the encounter. All of them are part of the national coordinating committee of “Sinistra, Ecologia e Libertà / Left, Ecology and Freedom.” The event was held at Vidracco in the conference hall of Damanhur Crea. Over one hundred Damanhurians were present, in addition to various administrators from nearby towns.

Enrique Molina, the Chief Executive Officer of Ciudades Luz (City of Light) in Guatemala visited Damanhur to build a bridge between our realities. Damanhur means City of Light as well! Ciudades Luz is a model city in formation that aims to provide people of all economic classes a dignified lifestyle in an ecological, spiritually elevated environment.

Molina met with Falco, sharing the vision and intent of Ciudades Luz and has proposed future contact and collaboration with Damanhur. He also met with Elfo Frassino (Antonio Bernini), the Mayor of Vidracco to speak about a potential future sister city relationship between Ciudades Luz and Vidracco, Italy.

A new Mystery School program has begun, with 12 participants of diverse ages and nationalities participating in an intensive series of courses at Olami Damanhur University from November 22 – December 2. The Damanhurian tutors of the group are Shama Viola and Tridacna. The participants are taking courses with a variety of Damanhurian teachers and researchers, and the two-day courses include Mediumship and Divination, with one day focusing on the Bral Talej cards with Shama, the Dream Path, Inner Harmonization, and Esoteric Physics.