Japaneese Tea Culture
Symbiosis between culture and natureThe tea plant is among the most fascinating in terms of its history, culture and beneficial effects. After water, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world, and in many countries, tea drinking is an integral part of the religious culture and a deep-rooted tradition. A place where tradition and innovation go hand in hand, Monte Verità has always been a testing ground for new ideas and initiatives. The project dedicated to creating a Japanese tea house and garden is part of a series of initiatives aimed at reviving Monte Verità's age-old park, whereby the energy path known as "Chiara's Rainbow" and conversion of Baron von der Heydt's historical swimming pool into an events venue are a first goal: the first steps in a process designed to relaunch Monte Verità, a place steeped in history and characterized by its natural potential and powerful ideas that have put Monte Verità firmly on the map. In keeping with the history of Monte Verità, the project came about as the result of a meeting with Swiss tea expert Peter Oppliger: the outcome is innovative and in perfect harmony with its surroundings and can serve as a springboard for more activities in the future linked to the East in general and Japan in particular (exhibitions, cultural events and food fairs).
A path through the plantation leading to "Loreley" tea house
This project is situated at the entrance to Monte Verità's age-old park, near Casa Loreley, a historical building that was part of the revival project. Various initiatives have been rolled out across an area of approximately 3,000 square metres. The mainstay of the tea culture is a tea plantation of around one thousand plants. Black and green teas are produced from the leaf of the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Monte Verità produces non-fermented green tea--which offers extraordinary health benefits--following an ancient Japanese tradition. Visitors are accompanied through a gate and along a tea trail--designed according to the dictates of Japanese philosophy and highlighting the various aspects of tea culture--to the tea house. They are invited to leave everyday life at the gate, free their minds and delve into the fascinating world of tea. Half way along the trail is a pavilion representing a place of quiet and contemplation and serving as a sort of waiting room and prelude to the tea ceremony. Next to the pavilion is the Zen garden, modelled on the Somyoshji Zen garden in Kamakura: every single stone has a meaning, while the pattern in the sand is an act of meditation. When the tea house was built half a century ago, it was given the traditional name of "Loreley" (a reference to the history of Monte Verità). In late spring 2006, it became a Japanese tea house with two large rooms: the Japanese tea room and the laboratory. The tea room is where ritual tea ceremonies are performed and also serves as a venue for events relating to Japanese culture; suitably furnished, the tea room is an original, carefully designed room for workshops. The laboratory retraces the history of tea spanning thousands of years and is the place where the tea leaves are processed. Today, the cultural programme and the small museum and shop are run by the AAMI Foundation in Monte Verità (more info: only in italian).
