Abstract/Notes: This article aims to reconstruct the role played by the Società Umanitaria (Humanitarian Society), based in Milan, for the widespread of the Montessori’s Method. The studied period spans from 1908, which is the year of the initial mediation of the Women’s Union’s members for the creation of the first Children’s Houses in the Humanitarian Society’s district, until 1923, which is the year of Augusto Osimo’s death, the general secretary of this institution. In particular, through the analysis of Maria Montessori and Augusto Osimo’s letters exchange, the complex plot of their fruitful collaboration will be highlighted, which was carried out through the organization of Montessori training courses by the Humanitarian Society. Their cooperation was further reinvigorated by a common cause, which was the intervention in favor of children victims of the war, up till the project of a Montessori law secondary school for young adolescents. This last project was never realized because of Osimo’s severe illness occurred in 1920.

Language: Italian

ISSN: 1723-9672, 2612-6559

Language: German

ISSN: 0944-2537

Language: Norwegian

Published: Sogndal, Norway: SLH, 1990

Series: Feltrapport

Language: German

Language: Japanese

ISSN: 0913-4220

Language: Spanish

Language: English

Published: Oxford, England: Clio, 1997

ISBN: 1-85109-296-X

Series: The Clio Montessori series

Language: English, German

Published: New York: Prestel, 2002

ISBN: 978-3-7913-2650-4 3-7913-2650-3

Language: Italian

Published: Torino, Italy: Paravia, 1930

Abstract/Notes: The essay highlights the role of “La Montesca” circle and its main protagonist, Baroness Alice Hallgarten Franchetti (1874-1911), in triggering the initial internationalisation of Montessori pedagogy. Exploring the cultural connections gathered around the Umbrian circle—a true meeting point for refined souls suggesting an atmosphere of spiritual retreat—it is possible to discern a prophetic mark establishing the immediate confidence shown in Montessori’s challenge to education, devoted to driving wide-ranging spiritual reform. The “Franciscan flame” underlining Alice Hallgarten Franchetti’s approach within an extensive devotion to the ideals of human elevation and universal brotherhood reflects the pursuit of a spiritual light, around which modernist, neo-Christian, theosophical feelings interwove motivating drives and cultural languages. In this sense, the formidable support initially provided by Alice Hallgarten Franchetti in exporting Montessori’s pedagogy should be read and valued as the sign of a larger belief in human elevation, based on a confidence in the secret treasures of the child and embracing a cosmic sense of spirituality. / L’article destaca el paper del cercle “La Montesca” i de la principal protagonista, la baronessa Alice Hallgarten Franchetti (1874-1911), en l’inici de la primera internacionalització de la pedagogia Montessori. Explorant les connexions culturals establertes al voltant d’aquell cercle d’Umbria, una autèntica cruïlla d’ànimes refinades que suggereix una atmosfera de retir espiritual, és possible descobrir una empremta profètica que imprimeix la confiança immediata mostrada amb el repte de Montessori en l’educació, dedicat a impulsar una àmplia reforma espiritual. La “flama franciscana” que anima la conducta d’Alice Hallgarten Franchetti, en el marc d’un extens horitzó de devoció als ideals de l’elevació humana i la fraternitat universal, reflecteix la recerca d’una llum espiritual al voltant de la qual els sentiments modernistes, neocristians i teosòfics entrellaçaven els seus impulsos motivadors i llenguatges culturals. L’important suport proporcionat en primer lloc per l’Alice Hallgarten per a l’exportació de la pedagogia Montessori s’ha de llegir i valorar com el signe d’una confiança més gran en l’elevació humana, basada en la confiança en els tresors secrets de l’infant i orientada vers un sentit còsmic de l’espiritualitat. / El artículo destaca el papel del cenáculo de “La Montesca” y de su personaje principal, la baronesa Alice Hallgarten Franchetti (1874-1911), en el inicio de la primera internacionalización de la pedagogía Montessori. Explorando las conexiones culturales establecidas en torno a ese círculo de Umbría, un verdadero punto de encuentro de almas refinadas que sugieren un ambiente de recogimiento espiritual, es posible descubrir una huella profética que imprime la confianza inmediata demostrada con el desafío de Montessori en la educación, orientada a impulsar una amplia reforma espiritual. La “llama franciscana” que anima la conducta de Alicia Hallgarten Franchetti, en el marco de un extenso horizonte de devoción a los ideales de la elevación humana y la fraternidad universal, refleja la búsqueda de una luz espiritual en torno a la cual los sentimientos modernistas, neocristianos y teosóficos entrelazaron impulsos motivadores y lenguajes culturales. En este sentido, el formidable apoyo brindado primeramente por Alicia Hallgarten Franchetti para la exportación de la pedagogía Montessori debe ser leído y valorado como el signo de una mayor confianza en la elevación humana, basada en la confianza en los tesoros secretos del niño y encaminada a abrazar un sentido cósmico de la espiritualidad.

Language: English

DOI: 10.2436/e&h.v0i40.150348

ISSN: 2013-9632, 1134-0258