Time for New Order and Re-evaluation

Whereas a hundred years ago we still had a completely Eurocentric perspective («European man is civilized and superior to all other cultures in the world in morals, religion, technology, medicine»”), today scientists, including those who themselves come from exploited cultures, also look at the perspective of those people from whom the occupiers have taken culture and identity, or whose peoples were eliminated by the colonial powers except for a few survivors.

This Eurocentric perspective has often prevailed in history lessons at Waldorf schools, especially in the lower and middle school. In addition, it often seemed as if myths and facts were mingled – a former continent of Atlantis (myth) was just as much part of the lesson as Ancient Egypt or the Roman Empire (both facts). Although every historical account is inevitably also an interpretation and can never claim absolute validity, the transition from fictional stories to fact-based history lessons can be structured more clearly. The Pädagogische Forschungsstelle am Bund der Freien Waldorfschulen (Pedagogical Research Center at the Association of Waldorf Schools in Germany) is currently setting the course with new guidelines and curricula. We dedicate this issue of Erziehungskunst to the work of a team of 30 history teachers who are developing new teaching materials for Waldorf teachers. In an interview with two of the project leaders, we shed light on the fact that this work is also being criticized.

In line with this topic, you will also find a text about an exciting anti-racism seminar in this issue. You can also read a report by Heidi Käfer about the project Zukunft.Machen and a very interesting article by Fran Russel on the development of Waldorf schools in the UK, where the closure of some Waldorf schools by the English authorities has led to a major push towards modernization. We start a new series with beautifully illustrated recipes by Jana Hiersemann-Bouldjediane from Leipzig.

And here is another important note for all Waldorf teachers: the Pädagogische Forschungsstelle (Pedagogical Research Center) has relaunched its homepage. The result is, among other things, a huge database with interesting teaching content, but also archives, such as that of Erziehungskunst. You can register once at forschung-waldorf.de and then have access to all materials.

Wishing you an inspiring read and a cheerful February!