LIVE at the British Museum
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG England
(Underground subway stations: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road,
Russell Square, and Goodge Street)
Saturday, May 12, 1:00 – 9:00 p.m.
In Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq), the Goddess Inanna (Ishtar) was more loved and honored than any other deity, male or female. Known as the Queen of Heaven, she was worshipped as the Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility as well as Venus, the Morning and Evening Star. Her presence in cuneiform texts dates back to 1900 B.C.E. She continued to be worshipped in the Middle East at least to the time of the Bible where she is referred to as the Queen of Heaven.
On May 12th, Diane Wolkstein and composer–performer Geoffrey Gordon gave a special performance of Inanna at the British Museum on London's Museum Mile. It was preceeded by an afternoon symposium described below, introducing attendees to the culture of Sumer, which was the goddess' realm.
AFTERNOON
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.:
Symposium (Introduced by Dr. Irving Finkel)
1:05 – 1:45 p.m.:
Dr. Dominique Collon, a curator in the British Museum's Department of the Ancient Near East, spoke on the geography, history, art, religion, and culture of Sumer, with glimpses of Inanna's later development as Ishtar.
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.:
Dr. Irving Finkel (the Assistant Keeper in the Museum's Department of the Ancient Near East) did a presentation on the adventure and mystery of the discovering of the cuneiform texts and the importance of the Goddess Inanna in the texts.
3:15 – 4:00 p.m. (Tea):
Archaeomusicologist Richard Dumbrill gave a short demonstration on replicas of a lyre and harp from Ur and a lute from Uruk, as well as speak informally about the music's relationship to godship in Sumer and to Inanna specifically.
EVENING
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.:
INANNA
A theatrical performance with sets, costumes, and music
(Introduced by Olivier Bernier,
author and lecturer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Inanna, the Sumerian Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility, as a young woman boldly (with the help of Gilgamesh) and joyously gains her throne and bed. After visiting the God of wisdom, she attains her queenship, husband and children. As a mature woman, she abandons her earthly achievements to confront the mysteries of the underworld, returning with a new consciousness — that of compassion. Her sophisticated, multi–layered life cycle is as relevant today as it was in ancient Iraq. The text resonates with liberating, passionate love poetry and is the template for subsequent underworld journeys of self–discovery. This riveting presentation, performed three times at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City to sold–out audiences, has been given on five continents. As Diane Wolkstein speaks and Geoffrey Gordon plays, we are drawn into another world and made a part of that time and place.
"To witness Diane Wolkstein's performance, her voice magically weaving together Inanna's story of triumph and tragedy, is to receive a four thousand year–old legacy of knowledge and wisdom. To hear Geoffrey Gordon's haunting music is to evoke both our spiritual poverty and the eternal promise of our renewal."
Dr. Alistair Martin–Smith, Goldsmiths College, University of London
Inanna Day at the Theosophical Society
Theosophical Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London
Sunday, May 13, from 2:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Cuneiform tablets from 1900 B.C., the world's oldest written records, tell the stories of Sumer's hero–kings, gods and goddesses. These myths from ancient Iraq include Gilgamesh and the goddess Inanna. The story of Inanna's descent into the underworld and powerful rebirth continues to resonate in our bones over centuries and continents as a blueprint for psychic and spiritual wholeness, both individual and collective.
This was a special opportunity for those who have been touched by Inanna's story to share and discuss and dwell together with the myth.
This was the planned schedule for the afternoon:
2:00 – 4:15 p.m.:
Diane Wolkstein, co–author of Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth:
The Story: an interpretation of the Inanna myth.
Dr. Irving Finkel, As. Keeper of Antiquities at the British Museum:
Context: Sumerian historical context
Dr. Cass Dalglish, Professor of English and Women's Studies:
Enheduanna: A Woman's Journey
The high priestess of Sumer creates her own story based on Inanna's.
Hugh Van Dusen, vice–president of HarperCollins:
The Book: the excitement and challenge of publishing Inanna.
Melanie Reinhart, renowned astrologer:
Venus: Inanna's myth as interpreted from Venus's movements.
Julian David, Chair of the CG Jung Analytical Psychology Club Jungian:
The Inner Journey: a Jungian interpretation of Inanna.
Paintings:
Paintings of Inanna by Jocelyn Chaplin.
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.:
Diane led a group discussion on the epic of Inanna, section–by–section, beginning with "The Huluppu–Tree."
Diane Wolkstein at Camden Ceilidh Storytelling
Torriano Meeting House
99 Torriano Avenue, London NW5 1RZ England
Wednesday, May 9th, at 8:00 p.m.
Three nights before her special study day and performance at the British Museum (May 12th), Diane offered a "taster" for the main event.
Diane was to tell the boisterous encounter between Inannna, the Sumerian Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility, and Enki, the God of Wisdom. Diane then invited group discussion around the heroine's journey as well as speak about the techniques of storytelling.
