WHO ARE
WE
About us
New Acropolis is a philosophical and cultural movement. Our mission is to revive philosophy as a means of renewal and transformation, to promote the timeless values that have been at the heart of all civilizations and to offer a holistic education based on the philosophical traditions of East and West.
New Acropolis understands philosophy in its classical sense as love of wisdom. Wisdom is something practical and active rather than purely intellectual. It is knowing how to act, learning to discern what is right and knowing which ends are worth striving for. Philosophy is a quest for the profound meaning of life and for the understanding and mastery of oneself.
New Acropolis was founded in 1957 in Buenos Aires (Argentina) by Jorge Angel Livraga Rizzi (1930 - 1991). Today, it is present in more than 50 countries on five continents and has branches in over 400 cities. New Acropolis achieves its aims through an International Non-Profit Cultural Organization with its headquarters in Brussels. Its areas of activity are: philosophy, culture and volunteering.
In ancient Greece, the Acropolis was the highest part of a city and contained its most important buildings. Acro-polis literally means 'high city'. Drawing a symbolic analogy between a city and an individual, we can imagine that we also have within ourselves an 'elevated' place where our highest and most noble elements reside. The name inspires us to ascend and to discover this 'high city' within ourselves.
The meaning of the name
Interview with the President
Interview with the Late Honorary President
Our Founding Principles
The strength of this ideal of fraternity lies in what unites us, more than in what separates us. It is firmly based on the recognition, protection and assurance of those universal values, which, while respecting diversity, transcend local practices and customs and come together in a set of common ethical principles that are inherent in the dignity of every human being.
To promote an Ideal of international fraternity, based on respect for human dignity, beyond racial, sexual, cultural, religious, social or other differences.
1- Fraternity
The love of truth and knowledge sets out from the legitimate aspiration to develop our own discernment in order to gain a better understanding of the world and ourselves. We see philosophy as an axis connecting the different facets and angles of human knowledge. Philosophy can bring together the sources of the past and the present in a holistic, broad and integrating vision, becoming a real force for progress that seeks to underst and life more deeply and to harmonize all aspects of knowledge and experience.
To encourage the love of wisdom through the comparative study of philosophies, religions, sciences and arts, in order to promote the knowledge of the human being, the laws of Nature and the Universe.
2- Knowledge
Our work enables individuals to improve themselves so as to contribute to sustainable social development. The human being still has an enormous latent potential. To get to know that potential and to develop it is one of the fundamental pillars of life itself and provides a source of lasting satisfaction.
A balanced and all-round development of ourselves, and the realization of the best qualities and values of our human nature,
are the solid basis for a better world.
To develop the best of the human potential, by promoting the realization of the human being as an individual and her or his integration as an active and conscious part of society and nature, in order to improve the world.
3- Development
Founder
Jorge Angel Livraga Rizzi
The many facets of Jorge Angel Livraga Rizzi can be seen reflected in his life’s work: the International Organisation New Acropolis, which is present today in over 50 countries.
His approach consisted in proposing a revival of the idea of a School of Philosophy in the classical tradition and reintroducing the Socratic method as the human being’s search for wisdom and knowledge. In antiquity, these schools – such as Plato’s Academy, Aristotle’s Lyceum or the Neoplatonic School of Alexandria – helped to inject new vitality and to give new direction to the societies of their times. This need for renewal re-emerged in the middle of the 20th century, with deep roots in the classical tradition and a forward looking vision towards the 3rd millennium.
Current International President
Carlos Adelantado Puchal
Carlos Adelantado was born in Castellón (Spain) on January 1, 1964.
At the age of 19, while studying philosophy at university, he began attending classes at the New Acropolis School of Philosophy in Castellón and supporting its many activities. He was later appointed director of the school where, over a period of 23 years, he developed a number of cultural and social volunteering projects under the umbrella of the Castalia Cultural Centre. He was also coordinator of the various New Acropolis centres in the Levante area of Spain. At the same time, he continued to study and teach philosophy and was awarded the degree of “Specialist in Eastern and Western Philosophy” by the International Organization New Acropolis based in Brussels.
He has been teaching different subjects in the curriculum of the New Acropolis School of Philosophy for more than 30 years, as well as giving lectures and participating in academic conferences. His approach has always emphasized the need to put philosophy into practice and apply it in addressing the problems of today’s world.
In 2013 he moved to Madrid to take over the management of the head office of New Acropolis in Spain and carry out a number of management responsibilities at a national level. In Madrid, he has promoted activities to make the rich historical and artistic heritage of the city known to a wider public, along with other projects for the promotion of culture.
In 2017 he was appointed Deputy International President of the IONA and in 2020 he took up his current post as International President.
Late Honorary President
Delia Steinberg Guzmán
As the former honorary president and previously as International president of the International Organisation New Acropolis, Delia Steinberg Guzmán continued and developed the legacy of its founder Jorge Angel Livraga (1931-1991).
Combining her musical background as a former concert pianist with an eclectic range of university studies in humanities and sciences, she consistently focused her energies on the cultivation of philosophy as a way of life. Guided by the idea that the best form of teaching is by example, she concentrated on passing on her practical understanding of philosophy in the classical tradition through classes and lectures and through her numerous writings. Her most recent works in the field of practical philosophy are The Everyday Hero, Philosophy for Living and The Path to Victory.
Although she left behind her musical career to devote herself to philosophy, she continued to promote the musical arts as a part of the cultural offering of New Acropolis, founding the Tristan Institute for Music and Arts Education, and the Delia Steinberg International Piano Competition, which is aimed at fostering young musical talent.
In reality, she always saw a close link between music and philosophy, for as the Roman philosopher Plotinus famously wrote: “Philosophy is a music made by the soul in the silent dimension of the invisible.”
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Is it possible to join in the activities of New Acropolis without being a member? How?Anyone can take part in the different volunteering programs and cultural and social activities provided by the center of New Acropolis L.A. This will enable you to see our activities and principles in action for yourself.
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Why study with us?Has the question ever arisen for you: can't it be all there is… a question of all life… that our world, and our society is deteriorating, and there is almost nothing to do…? In the new Acropolis, young people are gathering in the spirit of the entire spectrum of sectors and sectors that have not yet given up, who want to live the ideals that have almost disappeared from the world. Young people who believe that the world, the environment and themselves can be changed. People who are fed up with slogans and want to… live, be happy, give and not just receive. Humans who want to start directing life and not just respond to what life brings, reduce suffering and find meaning in their lives. The curriculum and experiential activities enable the philosophical path, on the one hand, to learn from the wisdom of life, and on the other to experience and apply. "In the march you learn to walk. Your generosity will fly before you as a flag of life and hope for all those through whom you will cross with you.
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What are the questions they deal with during the sessions?Who am I? What is my mission? What is the purpose of life? Does a person have a role in the world? What is justice and what is happiness? Can you really be happy? These existential questions and many more, have echoed in the hearts of seekers of meaning and pathway ever since. During the sessions, we will try to answer these questions.
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What can this series of sessions contribute to you?The series of meetings brings us ideas and insights that are hidden within us all the time, but are lethargic. Thoughts that arise during life and the intuition experienced by everyday life connect to universal conceptions of life. We find that all human beings seek to become happy, seek meaning for their lives, seek to be more influential and affected. There is a rich and glorious human heritage of cultures and civilizations in which people lived with meaning, direction, happiness and joy. They were looking for answers to the same questions that bother us today. Some have found answers. During the sessions, we will try to find the common human and universal principles that have survived the erosion of time and are as relevant to us today as they were in distant lands thousands of years ago.
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What is the form of study?The studies take place in the various branches of the world, in the form of a two-hour frontal lecture. The international curriculum is delivered in an interactive and experiential way during lessons. The meeting program includes 19 lessons and also an exercise seminar, all of which I experienced. At the end, a personal conversation is held with each of the participants. In addition to philosophy classes, we invite students to participate in various community volunteer activities and ecological activities, a theater department and more… Learning is cyclical like inhaling and exhaling. It allows both learning new things and expressing the principles learned.