This summer, members of the Foundation for Philosophical Orientation traveled to Sarzana, Italy, to take part for the third time in the annual MythosLogos Festival organized by Prof. Angelo Tonelli and dedicated to ancient Greek and Roman wisdom, philosophy, art, and culture.
On July 18, 2025, after music by Arthuan Rebis, FPO’s founder Mike Hodges read a hymn he composed himself, titled “A Solstice Hymn: A Song of Faith and Flame,” translated into Italian by Dr. Alessandra Indelicato and read in Italian by Angelo Tonelli, for an audience of about 55 people including the Hodges family. Dr. Reinhard G. Mueller then introduced the foundation’s activities and the philosophy of orientation before Dr. Enrico Mueller presented his paper on “Divine Clues and Human Understanding: Oracle Orientation and the Lord of Delphi.”
Both talks were translated into Italian by Dr. Olga Faccani. You can view a recording of the presentations here at this link.
After Sarzana, FPO traveled for the annual Friedrich Nietzsche Workshop to Sils Maria, a favorite of Nietzsche’s places. Prof. Werner Stegmaier, author of the philosophy of orientation, spoke about: “‘Granted that truth is a woman –, …’ How Does Nietzsche try to win readers over to the reading of his new book of aphorisms?” Dr. Dr. Timon Boehm, FPO advisory council member, spoke about: “The ‘Self-Confession of its Author’: Philosophy as Symptomatology and Diagnostics.”
Sils-Maria represents a very special location for the FPO: the official documents for the founding of our foundation were signed here in July 2018 by its founding members, Tina and Mike Hodges, Werner Stegmaier, and Reinhard G. Mueller.
In 2022-23, our foundation helped restore Nietzsche’s room in the Nietzsche-Haus after it became damaged by time, supporting the reconstruction of the original wallpaper, restoring the ceiling and furniture, and redrawing the margins on the walls. Now, thanks to Mike’s and Tina’s generosity, we can experience Nietzsche’s “cave” in a similar way as he did over 120 years ago and revisit the atmosphere in which Nietzsche spent some of his most prolific and creative summer months.
You can learn more about the restoration of Nietzsche’s room here.
FPO founder FPO founder Mike Hodges, Prof. Angelo Tonelli, Dr. Enrico Mueller, Dr. Olga Faccani, and Dr. Reinhard G. Mueller in Sarzana.
Prof. Werner Stegmaier at the “Nietzsche Workshop” in Sils Maria.
Dr. Timon Boehm at the “Nietzsche Workshop” in Sils Maria.