Zum Eros conference

# Programme: ##1) „Learning to Live is Learning to Love“ - lecture by Gert Dorschner "Love heals everything! - We live to learn love" - Under this motto the contribution of general practitioner and naturopath Gert Dorschner is dedicated to our self-healing capacities. The audience will learn the connections between their health and an intense sexuality, as the most elementary and rooted expression of their generative life forces. The participants will receive holistic instructions for the prevention of infertility and lack of libido. Dorschner will zoom in on how an intentional build-up and preservation of their potency and desire-ability can be used to increase the desire and fertility in men and women, based on a selection of the most potent plants, foods and remedies from orthomolecular medicine. ##2) On censored buzzers and seductive vibrations - presentation by Hans-Jörg Eberle The musician Hans-Jörg Eberle puts the jew's harp in the center of his contribution. The jew's harp, also called *Mentschafanga*, is said to have the capacity to summon spirits and to ignite eroticizing affect. Shepherds use it to call their animals, the shaman creates a bridge between different worlds and projects himself to the other side. The desired individual listens to the "buzzer" of a lover at their window. In past times such a "buzzer" was met with disapproval and was subject to censorship from the authorities and the Catholic Church. Under Maria Theresa, playing the Jew's harp was temporarily banned. Dancing with "buzzers and hummers" was punishable by imprisonment. The ban on windows was intended to prevent erotic activities. The game with the "magic iron" is closely connected with shamanic practices. The Swabian poet and medical practitioner Justinus Kerner (1786-1862) learned the instrument in his youth from his brother. As in the millennia-old shamanic traditions of Asia, he instinctively used the Jew's harp as a music-therapeutic instrument for psychosomatic illnesses. ##3) A wreath of conception - lecture by Madeleine Verwaal The midwife Madeleine Verwaal intertwines plants of the aphrodisiac garden for conception and birth to a wreath: An old custom says that a virgin, in order to beguile her beloved, should put on a belt woven from mugwort and dance with it around the solstice fire. Afterwards, this belt is thrown into the fire so that the young man will listen to her heart. Through such old stories and customs the effectiveness of herbs was passed on. Many things were forgotten, some were rediscovered. Since time immemorial, healers, women, mothers and midwives have been responsible for the well-being and health of their families. Especially in the time of conceiving, being pregnant and giving birth, the abundance of nature holds a wealth of treasures. To conceive and give birth is to open, to be pregnant is to protect. Madeleine Verwaal introduces us to some plants for this time. ##4) Yeshil the florist - storytelling performance by Sir Dan Manhattan On the occasion of the Zum Eros conference, storyteller Sir Dan Manhattan engages with scenes from Yeshil's flower store. Many of his customers visit the store to order simple bouquets for weddings or birthdays. Some want to buy cacti or succulent ducks. But what many don't know is that the charming Yeshil also creates a safe space where people of all queer identities can come together to discuss and share ideas. He is a closet supporter for his community and encourages its growth. Customers who visit his store notice the smaller codes and details. For example, Yeshil adds very nice queer symbolism to his gift boxes. Sometimes he even offers free tickets to art exhibitions and nonprofit events. Sir Dan Manhattan encourages his viewers to engage with and celebrate Yeshil's stories.