From Croatia

Malcolm Pines, the last of the founding fathers of group analysis that I got in close contact with and considered as a teacher and friend, was for more than three decades a trustful  collaborator  in the  professional field.  He was an extraordinary supporter in spreading and helper in growing the network of institutes of group analysis, and of the Institute of Group Analysis in Zagreb, Croatia, as well. His capability to support these processes was remarkable and many colleagues were pleased and honoured with his presence and assistance.

In that sense he accepted to participate in the 17th ISPS International Congress that was held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, May 31st-June 4th 2011, on “Psychological therapies for Psychoses in the 21st Century  Influencing Brain, Mind and Society”. By that time the President of ISPS was Brian Martindale and it was accepted to introduce in the programme of the congress the large group at the end of each working day. I was President of the Congress and asked  Malcolm to conduct the large group, which he did masterfully. In the photo Malcolm is in the company of Manuel Gonzalez de Chavez, president of the  Spanish Foundation for Research  and Treatment of Schizophrenia and other Psychoses and myself.

Thanks to Contexts and your initiative I am pleased to have the possibility to recollect  one episode of our fruitful cooperation.

Wishing you success in your initiative to commemorate  the importance of Malcolm Pines in the professional sphere of group analysis.

Ivan Urlić, M.D., PhD.
Professor of psychiatry and psychological medicine of the Medical School, University of Split, Croatia, training analyst and supervisor of the Institute of Group Analysis, Zagreb, Croatia
ivan.urlic2@gmail.com