Satish Kumar – Celebrating Soil, Soul, Society

For our inaugural „Talks at Atelier Gardens” we welcome Satish Kumar to our campus. Satish, a peace-pilgrim, life-long activist, and former monk, will speak about the trinity of “Soil, Soul, Society” that searves as a pillar of inspiration in our approach at Atelier Gardens.

Satish’s trinity provides a deepened meaning to terms that are now mainstream, such as ‘sustainability” or ‘ESG’ (environmental, social, governance’), and serves as a guide towards a truly wholistic and inclusive approach in our thoughts and actions.

Inclusive because it puts humans at the same level as all beings on this planet, wholistic because soil, soul and society require and nurture each other – forming an interconnected whole.

The topic of this first edition in the new event series explores what drives our campus for social and regenerative change-makers and establishes the thematic basis for events to come –  practitioners and thought leaders in the regenerative, circular and social development spheres.

Satish will share insight into his philosophy, followed by an opportunity for questions and conversation regarding “How to embody these principles in an urban context?”.

There will also be the opportunity to purchase Satish’s book “Elegant Simplicity” that has recently been translated to German: “Elegante Einfachheit – die Kunst, gut zu leben”, published by ‘Neue Erde’.


About Satish Kumar:
Peace-pilgrim, life-long activist, and former monk, Satish Kumar has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. He undertook a pilgrimage for peace, walking for two years without money from India to America for the cause of nuclear disarmament. Now in his 80s, Satish has devoted his life to campaigning for ecological regeneration and social justice. He is a world-renowned author and international speaker, founder of The Resurgence Trust and Editor Emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist – a change-making magazine he edited for over 40 years.

Central to his philosophy is the interconnectedness of the three elements of his trinity “Soil, Soul, Society”:

Soil, representing the natural world, is at the top of this trinity. Without soil, there is no food or sustenance and without sustenance, there is no life, no fauna, no flora.

Soul represents reflection, inner change and drive. As we take care of the body, we need to take care of the soul. In order to take care of the world and our environment, we should start by caring for ourselves.

Society emphasizes that we are all connected as part of a community. First and foremost a community with all beings on Earth, then the human community. Finally, the word ‘human’ has the same root as the word ‘humus’ – soil, closing the circle.

About Atelier Gardens:
Atelier Gardens is an iconic 6-acre former film campus overlooking Berlin’s famous Tempelhof Field. Known as “UFA Studios Tempelhof” and later as “Berliner Union-Film” or “BUFA”, it has been home to the pioneers of film, and is steeped in more than 100 years of film and TV. Atelier Gardens’ vision is to rekindle the site’s pioneering and creative spirit and open up the space, inviting a diverse range of agents for societal and ecological transformation. Current tenants and collaborators include tiny farms, kaospilot, WeChange and Arts of the Working Class. Since 2021, selected Berlinale events, the Human Rights Film Festival, Visit Berlin’s MICE Summit and Fotografiska Berlin’s “Fotografiska Days: Cultural Fabric” festivities took place at Atelier Gardens. The project was initiated by Fabrix in 2016. In 2023, Atelier Gardens won the MIPIM Award for “Best Urban Regeneration Project” and TON1 was named “building of the year” by ArchDaily.