program
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Matriarchy for Future – Festival 2.0
July 3 – 6, 2025
Kasteel de Berckt, near Venlo NL
40 km from Duisburg
What is there for you…?
For 2027 we are again planning workshops, music and much more
Another world exists!
Learning from matriarchal societies
Matriarchies are not utopias. Humans have always organized themselves matriarchally, and they still do. Worldwide! In Mexico, in India, in China, in Sumatra… When will it finally happen again in Europe?
«Patriarchy is not a law of nature. Let’s stop treating it as one.» (Gertraud Klemm)
For our lectures and workshops, we focus on the cornerstones that Heide Göttner-Abendroth identified as fundamental to a humane society: social order, politics, economics, spirituality, and, additionally, ecology.
Graphic: Anne Caroline Liechti
Social order
There are forms of societies …
… in which everyone is well, mothers and children are at the centre, all generations are important. Where one and one is more than two…
Connected instead of lost
Politics
We know examples…
… everyone is heard and decisions are made by consensus. There is wise counsel and words still apply…
Deciding for life
Ecology
A World in which…
… animals and plants, land and people, forests and rivers, seas and lakes are more than raw materials and resources…
Feeling with the earth
Economy
We know examples…
… of a prudent approach to the earth. Of an honourable harvest that does not take everything, but also gives. Gifts that rotate in circles…
Abundance in motion
Spirituality
We know corporate forms…
… which are fundamentally loving, life-affirming and peaceful, where the feminine principle is sacred to all as the creation of life…
Forward with roots
Performance, musical theater, films and discussions on matriarchal themes, art exhibitions, markets and information stands, circle dances and dance rituals, voice ceremonies, yoga, rituals for the earth and much more are planned.
In this time of change, we are bringing together what belongs together.
Our aim is to share knowledge and inspire each other.
more than you think!
enjoy diversity
Move freely around the festival. Four days that you can organise as you wish: The festival is packed full of exchanges of experience, workshops, lectures and concerts. Choose your program according to your needs and interests, enjoy the atmosphere and meet kindred spirits. In the evenings we celebrate together, listen to music and let the evening come to a cozy end.
MATRIARCHY LIVES
»We treat each other with respect, act in a calm manner, don’t get into any rude arguments and always try to find a joint solution. Our house is our mother’s house, where we share everything in the clan. Grandmother Ah-mi is responsible for this and passes everything on to other family members.«
You Zhou Zhima, 2016 (Mosuo in Yunnan, China)
Quote from a woman in today’s matriarchal society.
The photo books «Matriarchs» 1 + 2 with many pictures and information are available on Maria Haas’ website.
COMMUNICATION AND CONSENSUS
There is no hierarchy and no enforcement staff such as the military, police or authorities. Conflicts are resolved by consensus. Private and political decisions are always made jointly. Negotiations continue until a solution is found for everyone. In this sense, there are no democratic majority decisions, because a minority always falls by the wayside. Still existing matriarchal societies are characterised by a high level of communication skills, which are already practiced in childhood.