World Congress of the Theosophical Society (Adyar)

From time to time, the Theosophical Society based in Adyar holds a World Congress.

First World Congress

The First World Congress was held in Paris, France, in 1921.

Second World Congress

The Second World Congress was held in Adyar, Chennai, India, in 1925.

Poster for Third World Congress

Third World Congress

The Third World Congress was held at the Hotel Stevens in Chicago, United States, in 1929. Speakers included Annie Besant, George S. Arundale, Rukmini Devi Arundale, C. Jinarājadāsa, Geoffrey Hodson, Dorothy Jinarājadāsa, Clara Codd, A. P. Warrington, L. W. Rogers, and Mrs. C. W. Dykgraaf.

Fourth World Congress

The Fourth World Congress was held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1936.

Fifth World Congress

The Fifth World Congress was held in Salzburg, Austria, in 1966.

Sixth World Congress

The Sixth World Congress, or Centennial World Congress, was held in New York City, United States, in 1975. It celebrated the centenary of the founding of the Theosophical Society, and was followed by major celebrations in London and Adyar. According to one observer, the lecture by Boris de Zirkoff called "The Dream that Never Dies," was "truly a high point of that week-long gathering." That and many other centennial lectures were recorded and are available at the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library.

Seventh World Congress

The Seventh World Congress was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1982.

Eighth World Congress

The Eighth World Congress was held in Brasilia, Brazil, in 1993.

Ninth World Congress

The Ninth World Congress was held in Sydney, Australia, in 2001.

Tenth World Congress

The Tenth World Congress was held in Rome, Italy, in 2010.

Additional resources

"World Congress, Theosophical" in Theosopedia