History

1983

Social Experiment

The number of participants grew from a few to 50 people who commit to stay together for 3 years in the Black Forest, to study how to build a functioning community. Tapping into their bursting life energy, they explore topics often ignored – sex, love, power and money. They live by the motto “nothing that is human is alien to me,” using theater and art to rediscover truth beyond the alienation of our culture and tap into the healing powers of life. They explore the basic guidelines for the foundations of community. They also start experiments in vortex research, wastewater treatment and building techniques.

Developing “Forum”

“SD Forum” is an abbreviation of the German word “Selbstdarstellung,” meaning self-expression. Members meet every day for Forum, where they reveal what’s happening inside and among them. In a protected space, they share their conflicts, joys and hidden desires without fear of judgment. In this space of mutual solidarity, people learn how to express themselves in theatrical art pieces, which liberates them from endlessly and seriously circling around themselves. They realize that seeing is loving, and that truth and self-revelation generate trust.

Discovering Sexual Freedom

In freeing love and sexuality from fear, the community finds the deepest, most crucial aspect of their research – the healing of love. The environment of trust that they create in the community allows participants to experience what would otherwise be hard to imagine – openly expressing and following their erotic truth, establishing solidarity among men who love the same woman and vice versa. They set foundations for love free of jealousy, lies and betrayal.

Healing Biotopes Plan

The social experiment gives rise to a larger vision of peace. Dieter Duhm first developed his Political Theory based on his research of how information shapes the fields governing our collective behavior. With this, he formulates a strategy for global peace, achieved through a network of Healing Biotopes and peace villages that create a field for living nonviolently on Earth.

Slander campaign

The German media is indignant, kicking off a slander campaign in the mid 1980s. The community responds by publishing their insights and inspirations for an erotic peace culture.

1988

Moving Out of the “Bauhuette” Project

The community experiment in the Black Forest ends, people move into various smaller city groups across Germany and Switzerland. And the group looks for places to locate their global peace project – a public education center and a separate research site for the first Healing Biotope.

Verlag Meiga Publishing House Is Set up

The group disperses and publishes and promotes the book – Rettet den Sex [Saving Sex]. They continue to meet at summer camps in the meantime.

1991

ZEGG – “Center for Experimental Cultural and Social Design”

In 1991, in northeast Germany, members of the original community set up an organization called ZEGG, a community and non-profit education center, which soon develops into its own independent organization. Several people working in Tamera today used to live and work in ZEGG.

“Eros Unredeemed” is Published

Dieter Duhm’s “Eros Unredeemed” is published by Verlag Meiga.

1992

Deeper Listening

In parallel, Dieter Duhm, Sabine Lichtenfels and a few others set up an open house and healing center in Lanzarote. Members of the group run “La Massilia,” an early version of the “Love School.” Others were establishing “Kairos” – a dolphin research boat. Sabine begins to host desert camps in Lanzarote and Portugal to understand the workings of prayer and to receive visions. Through this work, Sabine begins to research prehistoric matriarchal peace cultures, particularly in Portugal. Known by the ancient Greeks as the “land of the serpents,” the land still carries a strong feminine wisdom.

Establishing a Peace Village

During the desert camps, the group asks “where can we create a place to ground the global Healing Biotope project?” Portugal seems to be a good place as it has historically often embraced radical movements. Because much of the land is ecologically degraded, it’s the perfect place to show how it’s possible to create paradise on a barren piece of land

1995

Founding Tamera

The group chooses Monte do Cerro, a 140 hectare site of undeveloped land, in the shape of an eagle, in the rural Portuguese Alentejo. During a meditation at a spring on the land the name “Tamera” comes to Sabine. They later learn that this was an ancient Egyptian word for the “land of water” (and an early name used for the land of Egypt itself). Thanks to the generosity of many private donors, the site was bought in 1995.

Dreaming the Land

Instead of applying a preconceived masterplan, they live as artists and deep ecologists, connecting with the slumbering dream of the land that wants to be realized here. In their first vision, they see the big lake they will build in 2007. The animal kingdom welcomes them with astounding friendliness and unusually trusting encounters with wild animals occur. They begin to communicate with visible and invisible beings and to receive guidance for building the Healing Biotope. This later becomes the work of Terra Deva.

Infrastructure

A small group creates the basic infrastructure including workshops, studios, networking offices, seminar rooms and accommodation. Gardens and trees are planted for reforestation, all from private funds and donations. Experiments begin in energy research and ecology.

First Summer University

100 people from many different countries visit. This heralds the start of the education programs and conferences.

1996

“Weiche Macht” [Gentle Power] is Published

Verlag Meiga publishes Sabine Lichtenfels’ book on a vision of a new women’s movement, based on a new love towards men.

1999

The Big Fire

In the middle of the night of January 31st, 1999, the community’s large hall – the main building in Tamera – catches fire. Grateful that no one is injured, the community watches as it burns to the ground. With everything lost, the community is renewed in their solidarity to rebuild.

The network of solidarity around Tamera is strong and help comes from all directions. New temporary structures like the conference tent, huts, containers, caravans and wooden houses are built, and a permanent building for the Institute for Global Peace Work is constructed.

2000

Global Peacework Starts

The Institute for Global Peacework is inaugurated and begins establishing connections and collaborations with committed activists and thought leaders, peace villages, educational projects and social movements around the world. This includes building solidarity with courageous initiatives in the Global South like the Colombian peace community San José de Apartadó, running campaigns and forming networks.

2001

Peace Work in the Middle East

After the outbreak of the second intifada in Israel-Palestine, the co-workers of Tamera realize that it’s no longer possible to look on as bystanders without taking action. Sabine Lichtenfels receives a meditation on how peace can be created in the Middle East, and this is sent out to many partners, marking an acceleration of our global network.

“The Sacred Matrix” is Published

Verlag Meiga publishes Dieter Duhm’s “The Sacred Matrix” about the transition from the matrix of violence to the sacred matrix of peace, with Healing Biotopes as self-sufficient future communities, “greenhouses of trust” and “acupuncture points of peace.” The book aims to pass on his years of research and knowledge to the next generation.

One Phase of the Generation Shift: 2001–2006

Dieter Duhm and Sabine Lichtenfels begin offering peace education programs for young people. A group including Benjamin, Robert, Vera, Mara, Juliane and others who are deeply acquainted with the peacework philosophies of Tamera forms to organize education, teach today’s youth and to work on the creation of the Global Campus. The new generation of leaders remains today, supported by the experienced elders of the project.

2002

First International Peace Camp

The vision of a Peace Research Village in the Middle East develops after a 3-week camp.  Many journeys are made to this land to hold peace camps with participants from both “sides.” A group of Palestinians, Israelis and internationals start working on this, using Tamera as their training ground.

2003

Global Ecovillage Network (GEN)

Tamera joins GEN – a solution-based, multi-stakeholder alliance providing information, tools, examples and global representation to the expanding network of those dedicated to developing and demonstrating sustainability principles and practices.

“We Refuse to be Enemies”

A group of Israeli and Palestinian musicians and a Tamera theater group tour throughout Germany and Switzerland. The theater piece is called  “We Refuse to Be Enemies.”

2004

Stone Circle Built

96 stones, representing the archetypal elements of a community of the future, are erected over 5 years. Some have cosmograms chiseled into them. The circle is Tamera’s “natural cathedral.” The Ring of Power takes place here every Monday morning.

2005

First Grace Pilgrimage

Shaken by the threat of war against Iran, Sabine Lichtenfels starts a peace pilgrimage without money from Portugal to the Middle East. Arriving in Israel-Palestine after several months, with Benjamin von Mendelssohn, she invites a group of 40 Israelis, Palestinians and internationals to join the first Grace Pilgrimage, walking through Israel and the West Bank for peace, justice and reconciliation. Sabine is one of the 1000 Peace Women Across the Globe, who is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

2006

Monte Cerro Peace Education

The first peace education program begins. 100 people from Tamera and 100 activists and students from around the world start 3 years of study and knowledge-gathering. Tamera attracted many people and became an experimental site for the implementation of big visions.

2006-2007: Aula Built

Sabine and the community raise funds for the new community space through a pilgrimage. Providing space for 400 people and with walls 8 meters high, the Aula – our auditorium – is the largest straw bale adobe building in the Iberian Peninsula, and is built by community members and friends of Tamera. The Tamera community and all guests gather here every Sunday morning and for special events.

Aldeia da Luz Built

8 women, most of them over 60 years old, build this “Village of Light.” It houses sewing, pottery and medicinal herb workshops, all made from locally-sourced adobe and wood. A center of female knowledge, with a communitarian “grandma quality,” it is a creative gathering space and living accommodation for both men and women.

“Global Campus” Created

A committed network of planetary centers for peace begins to work together. This includes seminars, peace actions, pilgrimages and building help in Israel-Palestine, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico and Portugal. In 2015, more than 30 leaders of the different initiatives come to Tamera to deepen their education and cooperation, guided by Vera Kleinhammes and others. As a result, several educational gatherings take place in Colombia.

“Grace” Book is Published

Verlag Meiga publishes Sabine Lichtenfels’ book, “GRACE: Pilgrimage for a Future without War,” on the story of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to Israel and Palestine.

2007

Water Retention Landscape is Built

In 2007, the construction of the Water Retention Landscape starts, inspired and supported by the Austrian permaculture specialist Sepp Holzer. On December 31st, 2009, Lake 1 reaches capacity. Work continues on the permaculture gardens – lakes, ponds, swales and terraces – and the water landscape.

2007-2012: More Grace Pilgrimages

2007 to Israel-Palestine, 2008 to Colombia, 2009 in Portugal and 2010 to Colombia again, and 2012 Israel-Palestine again.

2009

The Solar Test Field is Built

After 5 years of collaborating with the physicist Juergen Kleinwaechter, this experimental space is built. Here, we develop and test inventions for solar-powered energy autonomy and combine them with water management and food production. People test and use these technologies in daily life. Gradually, more experts and collaborators join the team and wider network, e.g. Biogas expert T.H. Culhane and the Blueprint Alliance. Find out more…

2011

Annual Water Symposium Begins

The first annual symposium on Water Retention Landscapes, led by Tamera’s water visionary Bernd Mueller, brings together water experts, aid workers, government officials, entrepreneurs, donors and journalists in Tamera. From these meetings, we begin collaborating with a global network for promoting and manifesting a new water paradigm as a response to desertification and climate change.

2012

Global Love School Launches

Partners from around the world gather for the first of an annual Global Love School. Members commit to meeting over 3 years. Their aim is to create a durable ethical foundation, a core of truth, trust and mutual support for a planetary network of individuals and communities working for the healing of love across the globe.

Buckminster Fuller Institute Honorable Mention

Tamera receives an Honorable Mention for the Water Retention Landscape after applying for The Challenge – an award for “Socially-Responsible Design.”

2013

Beginning of Terra Nova Network and Online Education

In May 2013, we start providing materials for local groups studying the foundations of Terra Nova. By 2016, our educational outreach shifts towards online courses.

Beginning of the Terra Nova Network

In May 2013, we start providing materials for local groups to form, studying the foundations of Terra Nova. By 2016, our educational outreach shifts towards online courses. Future plans include setting up a global media platform for the growing network.

United Religions Initiative

Tamera joins the United Religions Initiative, which promotes enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

2014

“PIER” Process Starts

We apply for a change of land classification to be able to increase our built infrastructure. The municipality of Odemira decides to accompany us in the PIER process (Portuguese acronym for “Plan for the Intervention into Rural Space”). Our plan is published without objections; this process is still underway. More information here.

Terra Nova: Global Revolution and the Healing of Love

Dieter Duhm’s book “Terra Nova: Global Revolution and the Healing of Love,” shows how a morphogenetic field of peace is organized from within, and to what forces it could connect in order to oppose the global forces of violence and so make possible a future without war. In 2014 it’s published in German and in 2015, it’s published in English.

2015

Increased Regional Outreach

We increase our commitment to the regional network, building alliances with municipalities, organic farmers and other emerging communities, to ensure the ecological and social sustainability of the Alentejo. In fall 2016, 30 people from Tamera and local partners make a pilgrimage along the Sado watershed to raise awareness of the water situation and offer solutions.

2016

A Political Journey to Brazil

A group of youth from Tamera and their teachers took part in a learning exchange with 2 inspiring projects in the favelas of São Paulo: Projeto Âncora and Favela da Paz – Slum of Peace.

First LGBTQ+ Seminar in Tamera

During that time, the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando – a hate crime targeting the LGBTQ+ community – deeply reminded us why this work matters: creating safe spaces where love can be celebrated.

2017

The Start of the Akron School

Internal leadership training and continuous spiritual education in our Political Ashram begins.

Defend the Sacred Gathering

In August 2017, we hosted activists, leaders of movements, Indigenous elders and youth from around 40 countries with experience of sacred activism to reconcile Indigenous wisdom with futuristic thinking. The gathering gives rise to a manifesto for how a growing global community can stand up for life, water and a future worth living everywhere. A key part is the aerial art action on Odeceixe beach to stop plans for offshore oil drilling in Portugal, a campaign we began to be involved with in January 2017. Find out more…

Material Realization

Purchase of 3 hectares of land in the neighboring village of Relíquias, to have the option to grow despite the construction embargo.

2018

40 Years celebration

We celebrated the 40th anniversary of the project with friends and partners from around the world.

Aerial Art Action against fossil fuel extraction in Portugal

Together with Portuguese activists and the “Defend the Sacred Alliance” at Costa do Vapor near Lisbon. 2 months later, all 15 fossil contracts are canceled.

“A Onda”

A regional center for sustainable life in Relíquias is opened. It had to close after 3 years.

“And They Knew Each Other”

A new book was published by Tamera’s founders.

Study Group about Racism

Establishing the first study group in Tamera for the topics of White Supremacy, power and privilege. Later in 2019 Author Robin DiAngelo brought her work to the community over a weekend of lectures and seminars, bringing the community into the next stage of grappling with these topics. Over time, this led to deeper research into power, privilege and their influence on our community and in the world at large.

2019

Defend the Sacred

“Defend the Sacred” Conference for Global Change-Makers, with more than 400 participants, including Indigenous elders, regeneration experts and leaders of various social, climate justice and liberation movements from the Global North and South. The book “Defend the Sacred” was published, a portrait of the individuals and their projects which formed the Defend the Sacred Alliance.

Political Journeys

Pilgrimage alongside the Mira River with students and co-workers of Tamera – raising awareness of the growing water crisis and possibilities of regeneration in our region.

The youth group of Tamera made a political education trip to the USA.

Goodbye to One of Tamera’s Founders

Charly Rainer Ehrenpreis, physicist and co-founder of Tamera, head of the economy department and engaged in sustainable technologies, left the earthly world.

2020

Vision Time for Tamera

With 40 participants – “Where do we see Tamera in 2030?”

No Guest Season

Due to corona measures.

2021

No Guest Season

Due to corona measures.

Consolidation Time

Intensive community gathering to start a communal consolidation process to recalibrate our vision and purpose, work on intergenerational conflicts and develop new governing systems. Coaching and facilitation by the Nonviolent Global Liberation collective.

“Marcha pela Água”

A march with hundreds of people in Odemira against agro-industry and for regenerative water management.

2022

Limited Guest Season

Due to corona measures.

Tamera’s First LGBTQ+ Pride Parade

Marched through Tamera’s hills in June. It was a colorful moment of visibility, solidarity and celebration within the community, guests and local network.

The GRACE Foundation was closed

A fundraising platform to help redirect money, knowledge and influence toward projects for a nonviolent society, regenerative autonomy, education and the Global Campus. It has funded pilgrimages, Global Campus work, Tamera infrastructure and activist participation in Healing Biotopes work.

It was inspired by a vision Sabine Lichtenfels and Benjamin von Mendelssohn had while walking the Camino de Santiago in 2005, and was founded in 2007 by Sabine Lichtenfels and Rainer Ehrenpreis.

The “Carrier Circle” dissolves

After several years of work we decided to stop with a steering body for Tamera with around 20 members. A “Continuation Team” took on the task of organizing further gatherings and working groups throughout the year on questions of restructuring, common agreements and current purpose.

2023

Foundation of the “Co-Holding Group”

A dedicated group of next-generation carriers wants to develop new methods of governance, steering, decision structures and further consolidation of Tamera. Tamera adopts a distributive, inclusive, horizontal decision-making system. In these reports, you can read about how we dealt with the great challenges of the shift between the generations.

“Vale da Gema”

A common initiative of landowners and water activists emerges for eco-restoration and water retention within our common watershed.

Political Journeys

Defend the Sacred Alliance pilgrimage to India.

The youth travel to Damanhur.

1st Pride Parade in Vila Nova de Milfontes as part of the first LGBTQ+ Community Course

2024

The Documentary Film “The Village of Lovers”

Three intrepid filmmakers – Ian MacKenzie, John Wolfstone and Julia Maryanska – spent several years attending the Global Love School and studying the work of Tamera to understand and communicate the vision and culture of our community. After 8 years, the trio finally created a film that explores the historical and contemporary stories of Tamera.

The Tamera Documentary Film “Water is Love”

The film follows young people searching for real responses to the climate crisis. Through stories from communities in India, Kenya and Portugal, the film shows how restoring water cycles can regenerate landscapes, strengthen resilience and bring hope. It invites viewers to see water not only as a resource, but as a living force at the center of healing our relationship with the Earth.

National Environment Prize 2024 by Quercus

Tamera has received the 2024 National Environmental Prize from Quercus, one of Portugal’s leading environmental organizations. The award recognizes Tamera’s long-standing work in ecological resilience, regenerative practices and community-centered environmental education. It is an encouragement to continue developing and sharing models for a sustainable future rooted in cooperation with all ecosystems.

Ceremonies and Political Actions

Tamera held peace meditations and gatherings, participated in demonstrations and published articles to raise awareness of the genocide in Gaza. Some community members follow the international call to the March to Gaza.

Common Grief Ritual for all co-workers in Tamera.

The Peace Bell was created in Tamera.

The first “Kairos Retreat” was held in Tamera with 25 participants of the community – a deep communal dive into self-reflection, truth and transparency.

2025

Tamera’s 30-Year Celebration

With 3 main events: an internal (the pioneer generation, those who studied during Monte Cerro peace education and former community members – time of celebration, reflection and healing), a local (with neighbors and cooperation partners), and a public Summer University “Building Community in Times of Global Crisis” (with over 200 people from intentional communities, front line projects and global justice movements).

Finalizing the PIER Process

After 11 years of investing in the PIER process with the authorities, the most important planning phase for changing Tamera’s land-use plan was declared valid by the mayor’s office, in agreement with several ministries involved.

The Steering Council Replaced the Co-Holding Group

After 2 years of commitment, following a month of reflection, the Co Holding Group was dissolved, and the Steering Council was established. This is an organ for steering & coordination within Tamera, composed of 4 community members.

The Horse Project Was Closed

It explored nonviolent communication, trust and mutual respect between humans and horses, moving beyond domination or “breaking” the horse’s will. Since 1997, horses have been on Tamera’s land. They have been seen as teachers for presence, clarity, body awareness and emotional honesty, offering immediate, non-judgmental feedback that helped people recognize patterns, develop sensitivity and build more truthful relationships. The project also supported youth education, trauma healing and research into more natural forms of horse husbandry and pasture management. Read more about “The Horse Project” …

2026

1,000 mm of Rain!

After an exceptionally wet winter in Portugal, Tamera’s Water Retention Landscape showed its value once again.

Tamera Opens for Joiners

Beginning of “Joining Tamera: 3-Year Program of Education and Engagement”. After more than 10 years without welcoming new co-workers, Tamera entered a new phase of growth.