Report from the Autumn Workshop

Report from GASi’s 45th Autumn Workshop, St Petersburg, Russia, 1-3 November 2019:

“Authority and Leadership in our Groups and in our Societies”

After my grand-daughter went to school, I have time to write. It’s good not to be at home, where tasks always call.

On my flight to St Petersburg I sat next to a lovely Russian man, I think in his 40s. He was dealing with seed potatoes. I asked him how he experiences the change in Russia. He said that during Soviet Union time he was a child, so he was not aware of troubles, but that during the Soviet Union time life seemed secure and safe. You knew that there was a future, work and home, and free education. People were more equal, whereas now the gap between rich and poor is enormous, and you might lose your job any time.

I have heard similar things from East German people, like what a relief it was to only have 1 choice of toilet paper, rather than a whole aisle to choose from.

Then we went with the taxi through the city, huge buildings and palaces! It is hard to imagine that not that long ago, (was it in 1942?) people in this city were starving to death, with the Nazi German siege.

So, here I was in the Marriott Hotel, full of visiting children or young people’s groups, a bar with fantastic Vodka and good food! And meeting my colleagues and friends! (The breakfast was special!)

One of the exciting things in going to group analytic conferences is meeting friends and new colleagues, having conversations and meals together. But also to experience the new and different culture where the conference takes place. I believe that whatever happens in those large groups, the historical and political context as well as the one of the hosting organisation comes to light, in whatever ways. So, even though the lectures were in the main dealing with authority and leadership within our psychotherapy groups, the large group was themed with the so familiar struggles of our organisations, when styles of authority and leadership can lead to conflicts and splitting which become hard to talk about or to solve.

I was wondering whether the fear of consequences, arising from saying the wrong thing or being exposed, has special meaning for our Russian colleagues. Unfortunately I was not able to attend the median discussion groups (I had the runs) so imagine that there those conflicts were more able to be talked about.

It was lovely to be guests of our Russian colleagues, to meet the ones I have met before, and to get to know new ones.
I did not stay for extra days, so was not able to go and see museums, the art and exhibitions, but I was able to see the ballet one night, which was spectacular.

Angelika Golz
angelika@golz.org.uk