Sadhguru’s Save Soil Journey: London to Sofia

The Indian High Commission in London played host to Sadhguru, as he spoke about the Save Soil movement to an audience of influencers, policymakers, and social leaders.

Ahead of the launch of the Save Soil movement and the upcoming 100-day, 30,000 km motorcycle journey, Sadhguru introduced the movement and spoke about why he is taking up this cause at this time. The public event was held at Birmingham University and was presided over by Lord Bilimoria, Chancellor of Birmingham University. This was followed by a deeply engaging conversation between Lord Bilimoria and Sadhguru.

The day before the official flag-off of the Save Soil journey, Sadhguru addressed over 6,000 participants in a public event at ExCeL London. The event closed with a little girl coming on stage to wish Sadhguru all the best for the arduous ride that lay ahead. A large number of people gathered outside the venue to see Sadhguru hop on his bike and ride off.

When the iconic Big Ben struck 2:00 p.m., an enthusiastic crowd gathered around Sadhguru as he got on his bike, cheering for him, and expressing their love and best wishes for his journey. In a heartfelt tweet, Sadhguru invited everyone to “Talk soil, Sing soil, Breathe soil, Live soil,” stating that “the world must reverberate with one energy for one purpose” over the next 100 days.

A buzzing group of people, young and old, lined the streets to welcome Sadhguru and wish him a safe journey, including Tjeerd de Groot, Member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands.

Sadhguru’s schedule was jam-packed with three events. It began with a panel discussion at Koppert Biological Systems Experience Center, which focuses on sustainable agriculture and horticulture.

Later, Sadhguru met the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, Reenat Sandhu, and addressed journalists at a press meet at the Embassy of India.

In the evening, Sadhguru had a public event hosted by Carice van Houten of Game of Thrones fame at RAI Amsterdam Convention Center. Carice expressed her deep concern for soil, especially as the mother of a little boy. Sadhguru spoke about the importance of preserving this legacy for her child and future generations. At the end of the talk, the audience erupted into heartfelt laughter as a little girl approached the stage to offer Sadhguru a pistachio.

Before his departure for Prague, Sadhguru gave a speech at the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. He described soil as a uniting force, and how this moment could be a turning point for how we treat it and each other.

The next stop on the Save Soil journey was Prague. At the Embassy of India in Prague, Sadhguru met with the Deputy of the Minister of Environment (Eva Volfová) and Deputy of the Minister of Agriculture (Radek Lanč), presenting them with a Global Policy Draft and Solutions Handbook to Save Soil, created in consultation with top scientists considering the latitude, climate, economic conditions, and traditional agricultural practices of the region.

Then, Sadhguru took the stage with Czech mathematician Karel Janeček at Top Hotel Praha to discuss the Save Soil movement before an engaged audience. Sadhguru closed the two-hour public event by describing the movement as not only an ecological endeavor but also a tremendous opportunity for humanity to come together under a unifying common denominator, our soil.

A lively crowd welcomed Sadhguru as he drove over the Charles Bridge. Then he addressed them, asking them to show that they are a generation that wants long-term wellbeing for themselves and future generations.

Vienna was next on the agenda. Local Save Soil supporters welcomed Sadhguru at the Maria-Theresien-Platz. He urged everyone present to let the world know that they are part of the soil, so that we can make a change. Afterwards, Sadhguru spoke to a packed hall at the Messe Wien Congress Center.

At the Indian Embassy, Sadhguru met the Ambassador of India to Austria, Jaideep Mazumdar, who quipped that the number of supporters of the Save Soil movement exceeded that of the Austrian population.

Sadhguru’s first stop was at the Indian Embassy, where India’s Ambassador to Slovenia, Namrata S. Kumar, received him.

Sadhguru spoke to a gathering of Slovenian Earth Buddies and explained that the Save Soil movement isn’t a dry ecological movement but it’s about cultivating the human being to sprout and blossom into a wonderful human being.

Later, he had a public conversation with actor Goran Višnjić in front of an enthusiastic audience of around 2000 people. In response to a question about how to motivate people, Sadhguru emphasized the importance of expressing our commitment to #SaveSoil in order to propel our governments into action. The audience even brought a frisbee for Sadhguru (everyone knows that killer throw), and Sadhguru, always a sport, stood on stage and tossed it back and forth with the audience.

At the Università Ca’ Foscari, Sadhguru was received by an eager and excited crowd. He spoke about the importance of protecting the world’s soil in a panel discussion with experts.

Later a meditator took Sadhguru around Venice on a gondola ride. Many people gathered on a bridge over a canal singing the Soil Song.

On the third day in Rome, before his departure for Geneva, people gathered to meet Sadhguru outside the Colosseum. He highlighted that this is not a once in a generation situation, but rather the first time in human history that there has been global soil degeneration. He urged us to be the generation that turns things around.

That evening, Geneva’s iconic Jet d’Eau fountain, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, lit up in Save Soil colors to support the movement!

In Paris, Sadhguru spoke to students at INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France. The “4 per 1000: Soils for Food Security and Climate” initiative signed an MoU with the Save Soil movement. At the end of the day, again, Sadhguru spoke to a huge, passionate audience.

The event was attended by Jean François Soussana (Vice President of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture), Claire Chenu (Research Director French National Research Institute for Agriculture), Paul Luu (Executive Secretary 4p1000), and Jawed Ashraf (Ambassador of India in France).

Sadhguru spoke to an audience in front of Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower, sharing that in awareness and responsibility, we can take steps to rejuvenate the soil across the planet.

Finally, Patrizia Heidegger (Director for Global Policies and Sustainability at the European Environmental Bureau), joined Sadhguru in Brussels to discuss the Save Soil movement, moderated by Belgian actor Koen De Bouw. The event included a live performance by Mohombi – Grammy-winning Congolese-Swedish musician, singer, composer, and dancer.

Sadhguru also spoke to Save Soil supporters at the Atomium, the legendary Brussels landmark. He reminded them that the essence of the movement is that it is not against anyone ­– it is a love affair.

Sadhguru was welcomed in Bonn by Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). They engaged in a conversation about the Save Soil movement and the importance of concerted action to protect soil.

Sadhguru also had a meeting with the Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ovais Sarmad. They discussed the critical role of soil in reversing climate change, and Sadhguru handed him a copy of the policy document.

Later, Sadhguru met with Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker (Member of the German Bundestag, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) and spoke to her about the many economic benefits that an increase in organic content in the soil can bring.

Sadhguru spoke to a deeply involved audience in Cologne. He talked about the increasing momentum of the movement, and how governments are speaking about soil more frequently. But he warned that this is not something where one does a little bit and stops; soil is a critical issue and so should be the main conversation in governments around the world.

Sadhguru also emphasized the importance of Germany’s role in the EU as a very influential state. The event ended with children presenting Sadhguru a flower crown and artwork.

Sadhguru addressed a lively crowd at the historic Römerberg square in Frankfurt. He spoke about the enthusiastic response of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Education and their involvement of children in the Save Soil movement.

Sadhguru was met by the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of India to Slovakia, Sunita Narang; a Member of Parliament, Romana Tabak, and a celebratory band of Earth Buddies when he arrived in Bratislava. He spoke about the urgency of the soil situation and then met some of the younger members of the audience. Romana invited Sadhguru to the Slovakian Parliament.

Sadhguru later took up the invitation and met once more with Romana, and also with Martin Kvac, Slovakia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture. He spoke about the importance of vegetation cover on soil to mitigate the future impact of increasing water levels that Europe may face.

Sadhguru met Earth Buddies in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square, where he spoke about the role of a hero in preserving the soil beneath our feet and also in the various forms of life it nurtures. A representative from the Embassy of India to Hungary extended a wholehearted welcome to Sadhguru. Much to everyone’s delight, he promised to return to the city in 2023 for a program if the voice of the city rings loud and clear.

Sadhguru also had an interview with National Geographic, Hungary, where he emphasized that soil and ecology should become the concern of every political party.

Sadhguru arrived at Republic Square in Belgrade and was met by a loving crowd and the Ambassador of India to Serbia, Sanjiv Kohli. Sadhguru urged everyone to support the movement out of a genuine sense of love and concern for every life around us, and also our own lives.

Sadhguru also presented the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Serbia with the Soil Revitalization Handbook and signed an MoU between the minister and the movement.

Sadhguru received a sweet reception upon his arrival in Sofia. During his first time in the city, Sadhguru met with the Minister of Environment, Climate Policies, and Water, Borislav Sandov, who extended his enthusiastic support for the movement.

Bulgarian choir, Cosmic Voices, gave a mesmerizing performance at the public event. Sadhguru spoke about how, though people of today have access to so much, it has not brought them closer to happiness because human experience comes from within. The Minister of Environment, Borislav Sandov, also expressed his commitment to the movement during the live event.