Symposium 2000 Newsletter World Peace through Reverence for Life September 30 - October 15, 2000 Thurston Moore, Editor        May, 2000        Number 16 Items in this issue:         SYMPOSIUM 2000 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS         Two Vanderbilt Schools Announce Guest Speakers for the Symposium         Ananda Welihena writes "Greetings from Sri Lanka"            Albert Schweitzer International Conference “In the hope of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.”                             Talk with Gabonese Governor 1958 - Albert Schweitzer (l875-l965) Two Vanderbilt Schools Announce Guest Speakers for the Symposium In our January, 2000, newsletter we featured bios on speakers sponsored by the following Vanderbilt University Schools: Blair School of Music; The College of Arts and Science; The Divinity School; Peabody College; and the School of Nursing. The following schools complete the speakers for Symposium 2000 sponsored by the seven Vanderbilt schools. The Schedule of Events with photographs and information on these speakers can be found on our web site: spaceformusic.com/symposium2000 School of Engineering Dr. William J. Madia, Director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Dr. Madia recently left a position as Director of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to come to Oak Ridge. He also serves as Executive Vice President of Battelle, a worldwide science-based organization dedicated to putting technology to work.Prior to his appointment as Laboratory Director at Pacific Northwest, Dr. Madia managed Battelle's global environment business. Earlier, as President of Battelle Technology International, Dr. Madia managed Battelle's research, development and application efforts involving more than 4,100 scientists and engineers in Columbus, Ohio, Frankfurt, Germany, and Switzerland.His first undertaking at the ORNL will be building a new visitors center for the more than 14,000 scientists, students and other guests who travel to the lab each year.Dr. Madia earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his doctorate in chemistry at Virginia Tech. He is the author of journal articles in the fields of radiochemistry and quantum mechanics as well as technical publications in the field of nuclear technology. School of Medicine Els Mathieu, M.D., Long-time volunteer for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Els Mathieu, M.D., is no stranger to crises. Her first mission in 1993 took her to Vietnam, where she spent two years. A few months after returning from Vietnam, she found herself working in wartorn Chechnya, rehabilitating hospitals in the southeast and caring for refugees in neighboring Dagestan. Dr. Mathieu's most recent experience was coordinating emergency medical activities for Doctors Without Borders' massive effort during the famine that devastated southern Sudan in 1998. She is a frequent, experienced, and acclaimed speaker and has represented the organization to professional, academic, and public audiences. Although she had originally intended to become a family physician in Belgium, she "wanted to do something good and useful," and her experiences with Doctors Without Borders inspired in her a lifelong commitment to international work. As she puts it, "Once I was on my first mission, I was hooked!" She now plans to spend a few years in the US, developing her knowledge of epidemiology, before heading back to the field.Dr. Mathieu is currently earning her Master of Public Health degree in the international department of Johns Hopkins University, with a focus on epidemiology. Originally from Belgium, she received her medical degree from the Rijksuniversiteit Gent (Belgie), and a certificate in tropical medicine from the Tropical Institute in Antwerp. A native Dutch speaker, she also speaks fluent English and French, as well as some German and Italian. Ananda Welihena, March l6, 2000 Greetings from Sri Lanka I read the March newsletter and was impressed by the thoughts of Schweitzer on J.S. Bach. Let me offer you three illustrations. First, the works of Bach “tell us of something that will not be lost, because it is true and great and was created not in order to gain recognition, but because it had to be created.” How true it is! In my creative work, I have done the same. The secret of success of creative work is to do it without seeking to gain recognition, but to do it because it had to to be created. The ideas are waiting at the door step; they are tapping on the door. All I have to do is to open the door, offer a seat, and provide hospitality. Secondly, “Bach’s creative energies expressed themselves without self-consciousness, as do those in nature.” How true it is! Creative ideas arise like flowers and fruits from the healthy tree of mind. As William Wordsworth revealed, they are the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” But, how many are able to note them clearly and distinctly, and express them by choosing a mode for the good and happiness of the people of the world? Thirdly, for Bach “art was religion.” It had no concern with the world and success in worldly affairs. It was an end in itself.” How true it is! If an artist, or a creative writer aims at producing an innovative output to achieve success in worldly affairs, then it would be an arduous task. The pen must flow down like a mountain stream, and reach main-stream below. This can happen if the mind is free from the impediments. The Buddhist teaching enumerates five hindrances of the undeveloped mind. One who overcomes them will be an artist, or a creative writer. These are my reflections, which originated from your peace-loving ideas expressed in the March number l4 issue of your newsletter. With peace and good wishes for your work. Ananda Welihena, Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations, University of Peradeniya, SRI LANKA Albert Schweitzer International Conference October 13-14-15 Symposium 2000 will climax with the “International Albert Schweitzer Conference” which will bring together not only directors and personnel from Schweitzer organizations, but Schweitzer aficionados from around the world. To date we have people coming from many states and at least eight countries. Schweitzer organizations attending will include The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, The Albert Schweitzer Institute at Chapman University, The Albert Schweitzer Institute for the Humanities, and the Albert Schweitzer House, Gunsbach, France. The Conference will open with Dr. Walter Munz and his wife talking about their work with Dr. Schweitzer at his hospital in the l960s. On Saturday, October l4, the Conference will include a luncheon with special guest, Dr. Schweitzer’s daughter. There will be a round-table discussion of Schweitzer’s life and philosophy, moderated by Antje Bultmann Lemke, Professor Emerita, Syracuse University. That evening there will be a presentation of the multimedia musical dramatization, “Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach.” Events for Sunday afternoon will be held at the West End United Methodist Church and will include Dr. Schweitzer’s sermon, “Reverence for Life,” given at St. Nicolai Church in Strasbourg, France, February 16, 1919. Dr. Schweitzer’s granddaughter, concert pianist Christiane Engel, will present a recital in honor of her grandfather. The finale of “The International Albert Schweitzer Conference” will be the premiere of Michael Alec Rose’s Symphony, “Paths of Peace,” dedicated to the life and work of Albert Schweitzer, presented by The Nashville Symphony. For lodging accommodations and more information on Symposium 2000 please contact us now. Those attending the Conference should make their reservations soon as possible. e-mail: symposium2000@webtv.net or write to address at bottom of this newsletter. SYMPOSIUM 2000 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (Schedule as of May 15th, 2000. Additions to schedule will be published in future newsletters and web) Frederick Franck: Drawings of Lambaréné "Albert Schweitzer's Hospital in Action" September 11 - October 19 ..... The Fine Arts Gallery at Vanderbilt Saturday, Sept 30 Frederick Franck: Drawings of Lambaréné Reception: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm ..... The Fine Arts Gallery at Vanderbilt Concert for World Peace - The Voices of Bahá 7:30 pm ..... Langford Auditorium ..... Vanderbilt University Sunday, Oct 1 The School of Medicine: Dr. Els Mathieu, a physician with Doctors Without Borders, an international medical aid group. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. "Doctors Without Borders in Refugee Crises" 7:00 pm ..... #208 Light Hall ..... Vanderbilt University Monday, Oct 2 TBA Tuesday, Oct 3 Peabody College: Dwight W. Allen, Eminent Professor of Educational Reform, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia "Education for World Peace" 7:00 pm ..... Rotunda, Faye and Joe Wyatt Center for Education (formerly Social Religious Building) ..... Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Oct 4 The College of Arts and Science: José Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1996, Human Rights Diplomat "Peacemaking: The Power of Nonviolence" 7:00 pm ..... Langford Auditorium ..... Vanderbilt University Thursday, Oct 5 The School of Engineering: Dr. William J. Madia, Chief Executive Officer of UT - Battelle and Director for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "Effects of Global Warming on World Peace" 6:30 pm ..... Stevenson Center, Room 5326 ..... Vanderbilt University Friday, Oct 6 Nashville Chamber Orchestra 8:00 pm ..... The Factory ..... Franklin, TN A Walk in the Woods, Play by Lee Blessing. Presented by The Actors Bridge 8:00 pm ..... St. Augustine Chapel, 200 24th Avenue South ..... Vanderbilt University Campus Performances also October 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 Saturday, Oct 7 Nashville Chamber Orchestra 8:00 pm ..... Downtown Presbyterian Church ..... Nashville, TN A Walk in the Woods (See Oct 6) Sunday, Oct 8 Lambarena - Bach to Africa: An Hommage To Albert Schweitzer Presented by The Village Cultural Arts Center, Inc. Traditional harmonies of Bach linked to the native melodies and dances of Schweitzer's adopted homeland Gabon, Africa. The Factory ..... Franklin, Tennessee A Walk in the Woods (See Oct 6) Monday, Oct 9 Reception for Hiroshima Boys' Choir Hosted by Warner/Reprise Records, Co-sponsored by Japan-U.S. Program and NEK, Middle Tennessee State University, and Center of U.S. Japan Studies and Cooperation, Vanderbilt University. 6:00 pm ..... (Invitation Only) Tuesday, Oct 10 Blair School of Music: Christoph Wolff, Professor of Music, Dean of Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences "Bach in Leipzig - The Everyday Life of a Thomascantor" 7:00 pm ..... Steve and Judy Turner Recital Hall ..... Vanderbilt University Wednesday, Oct 11 Hiroshima Boys' Choir, Hiroshima, Japan "Childhood Dreams Peace Concert" 7:30 pm ..... Ryman Auditorium ..... Nashville, TN Thursday, Oct 12 The Divinity School: Marcus J. Borg, Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture, Oregon State University. One of the leading historical Jesus scholars of this generation. Cole Lectures 2000 "Jesus Today: the Legacy of Albert Schweitzer" 7:00 pm ..... Benton Chapel ..... Vanderbilt University Hiroshima Boys' Choir, Hiroshima, Japan (Repeat of October 11 Concert) "Childhood Dreams Peace Concert" 7:00 pm ..... Wright Music Hall ..... Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN A Walk in the Woods (See Oct 6) International Albert Schweitzer Conference October 13 - 14 - 15, 2000 Friday, Oct 13 Cole Lectures 2000, continued The Divinity School: Marcus J. Borg "The Battle Over Jesus Today" 10:00 am ..... Benton Chapel ..... Vanderbilt University Frederick Franck: Drawings of Lambaréné Reception: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm ..... The Fine Arts Gallery at Vanderbilt The School of Nursing: Jo Adrianna Munz-Boddingius, nurse who served with Schweitzer "My Joy of Having Been a Midwife in Lambaréné" 4:00 pm ..... Light Hall ..... Vanderbilt University The School of Nursing: Dr. Walter Munz, Vice-President of L'hôpital Albert Schweitzer à Lambaréné. A physician now in Switzerland, Dr. Munz was director of the hospital at Dr. Schweitzer's death. "The Message of Lambaréné in the Past, Present and Future" 7:00 pm ..... Light Hall ..... Vanderbilt University Saturday, Oct 14 Schweitzer Conference Continues 9:30 am - 5:30 pm ..... West End United Methodist Church ..... Nashville, TN Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach, Acclaimed Multimedia Musical Dramatization by Thurston Moore. Featuring actor Hugh O'Brian and Canadian Organist, Peter Letkemann 7:30 pm ..... West End United Methodist Church Sunday, Oct 15 Schweitzer Conference: Albert Schweitzer's Philosophy of "Reverence for Life" 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm ..... West End United Methodist Church Symphony No. 1 "Paths of Peace", by Michael Alec Rose Dedicated to the Life and Work of Albert Schweitzer, World Premiere, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Guest Conductor TBA 7:00 pm ..... Tennessee Performing Arts Center Complex ..... Nashville, TN For previous issues of this Newsletter, click here Among Our Sponsors Major events at Symposium 2000 are being co-sponsored by these Vanderbilt University Schools: • Blair School of Music Mark Wait, Dean • The College of Arts & Science E. F. Infante, Professor and Dean • The Divinity School E. Jackson Forstman, Acting Dean • Peabody College Camilla P. Benbow, Dean • School of Engineering Kenneth F. Galloway, Dean • School of Medicine John E. Chapman, M.D., Dean • School of Nursing Colleen Conway-Welch, Professor and Dean Symposium 2000 Website sponsored by spaceformusic.com To go to the Menu Page of the Symposium 2000 Main Website, click here To visit the Entry Pages of the Symposium 2000 Main Website, click here Send E-mail about this page Send E-mail to the Executive Director of Symposium 2000 Tennessee Players, Inc.           304 West Due West Avenue           Madison TN 37115-4511

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