DAMANHUR: UTOPIA OR BLUEPRINT FOR A NEW RENAISSANCE?

Visionary Achievements in Art, Healing, Sustainability

Santa Cruz, CA -- November 10, 2006 -- Damanhur: The Story of the Extraordinary Italian Artistic and Spiritual Community, a new release from Hanford Mead Publishers, chronicles Damanhur’s evolution from initial vision to a thriving community of 1,000 citizens of all ages representing 16 different nationalities. Issues vital to planetary renewal -- sustainability, spirituality and human development, healing, political activism, visionary art and music and sacred architecture -- are all part of their 30-year journey. Today they hope to inspire a culture of peace and sustainability around the world.

Arts & Architecture
The book chronicles the society’s evolution, beginning with the creation of the “Temples of Humankind.” The artists of Damanhur excavated and carved (initially by hand) these massive Temple halls into the belly of a mountain and adorned them with sacred patterns in mosaic, Tiffany glass, metalwork, sculpture and paintings. Built on different levels and connected by miles of corridors, visitors often describe them as an “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Sustainability
In September 2005, Damanhur received an award from the United Nations acknowledging the community as an excellent model of sustainable development. Among its primary objectives are organic agriculture, energy self-sufficiency, and environmental reclamation.

Bill Metcalf, Professor of Sociology at the University of Brisbane, Australia referred to Damanhur as “one of the most interesting intentional communities in the world today.” He adds, “Damanhur's economic, social and cultural achievements offer an inspirational model for others developing intentional community.”

Healing
Damanhur has also implemented an extensive health care system where prevention plays an essential role. Their holistic approach is a synthesis of conventional, modern medicine with ancient healing traditions, such as acupuncture and homeopathy. The community’s medical researchers have developed pioneering spiritual healing techniques using “selfic” technologies and Pranatherapy.

Community Life
This new society has even created its own Constitution and a complementary currency, the “credito”, which carries the same monetary value as the Euro. Most of its 70+ businesses are private companies structured as employee cooperatives. The influence of the political party founded locally by Damanhur’s citizens has now spread throughout Italy. An open university, schools, a daily newspaper, and a publishing house are among the many accomplishments covered in this new book.

Anyone interested in learning more about this innovative community is welcome to visit Damanhur, but if Italy is too far to travel, this book is an excellent place for "armchair travelers" to begin their journey.