Last modified: 2012-12-15 by pete loeser
Keywords: humanist party | humanistische partei | infinity |
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![[Humanist Party (Germany)]](../images/d/de}hp.gif)
Image by Marcus Schmöger, 20 June 2002
The Humanist Party (Humanistische Partei) or HP, is an interesting small party founded in 1984, and took part in many elections in Germany since then. At the 1998 Bundestag elections it earned 0,001% of the votes. Although therefore totally insignificant, the party appeared prominently at the May 2001 demonstrations in Munich, less so in 2002.
The political orientation of the HP is roughly "left" (at least so they claim). It is interesting that the HP is a really international party: originally founded in Argentina, it has branches now in more than 70 countries all over the world, about 30 of them with websites. The basis of their political program called "New Humanism," is the publications by the Argentine founder of the movement, "Silo" (aka Mario Luis Rodríguez Cobos), including the Libro Naranja or Orange Book. The whole movement seems to be rather centralistic; some think that the HP's all over the world are more a kind of a religious sect led by Silo than a political party. Silo's followers are also called Siloists.
Regarding the symbols of the party: the colour orange is prominently displayed, for instance on websites, but also participants of the May demonstrations in Munich wore orange clothes, were flying orange ribbons and orange flags. Beside the colour - also appearing in the above-mentioned Orange Book, the sign of infinity in form of a Moebius ribbon, in different variants, is the logo of the whole movement, also on flags.
Marcus Schmöger, 20 June 2002
Regarding the symbols of the party: the colour orange is prominently displayed, for instance on websites, but also participants of the May demonstrations in Munich wore orange clothes, were flying orange ribbons and orange flags. Beside the colour - also appearing in the above-mentioned Orange Book, the sign of infinity in form of a Moebius ribbon, in different variants, is the logo of the whole movement, also on flags.
However, what makes this party - or international movement - problematic for vexillologists, is the consistent tendency not to answer any requests regarding their flag - even more so than usually for German parties. I contacted the German HP at least 10 times, by e-mail or fax, before getting an answer. I wrote e-mails to the different branches of the party, especially to Argentina, and only got sufficient answers from Switzerland, Basque Country and Italy, not really sufficient answer from Germany and 23 countries (including Argentina) did not answer. So I can only state that the HP movement uses as symbols the orange colour and the Moebius ribbon. These are also shown on flags in slightly different constellations in different countries. The Moebius ribbon symbolizes the infinity, therefore also the infinite possibilities of human beings. Furthermore it symbolizes the continuity between the personal sphere and the social sphere, and the need for a coherence in social and personal change. The orange colour symbolizes "help and solidarity".
The German HP uses an orange flag with a white Moebius ribbon in the center, and the white inscription "Humanistische Partei" beneath. I have seen this at the 1st May 2001 and 2002 demos.
Sources: Author's own observations at the 1st May 2001 and 2002 demonstrations in Munich of the German HP and the International HP (with links to the national branches; e-mail from the German HP to the author, 18 January 2002; e-mail from the Swiss HP to the author, 16 January 2002; e-mail from the Basque HP to the author, 18 February 2002 and e-mail from the Italian HP to the author, 23 January 2002.
Marcus Schmöger, 20 June 2002