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The Artist-Philosopher
Delia Steinberg Guzmán (1943–2023) | Former International President
Some philosophers explore the world through logic. Delia Steinberg Guzmán explored it through harmony. A concert pianist and a prolific author, she served as the International President of New Acropolis from 1991 to 2020, dedicating her life to the idea that Art and Wisdom are two sides of the same coin.
A Philosophy for Changing Times
When Delia took leadership in 1991, the world was accelerating. She understood that for a school of philosophy to survive, it had to evolve without losing its soul.
In a recent interview, she described the organization as a living being:
"New Acropolis has changed, just as all living things do. A 5-year-old child is not the same as a 30-year-old adult. The clothes change, the language changes... but the essence remains. The important thing is to maintain the permanent essence while adapting to the needs of the times."
Under her guidance, the school modernized, moving from a small "artisanal" effort to a global federation that speaks the language of the 21st century.
Philosophy at the Keys
Graduating as a Professor of Piano and Composition at age 17, Delia believed that Art was not a luxury, but a necessity for mental health. She was a vocal critic of the modern trend toward "ugliness" (what she called feísmo) in culture. She believed that Beauty is nutrition for the soul. Just as we need clean air for our lungs, we need art and harmony for our minds. She argued that in a stressful world, surrounding ourselves with beauty isn't an escape, it’s how we recharge so we can be better human beings.
"We need to introduce positive elements that 'decontaminate' our consciousness. Aesthetics, when united with beauty, develops a more refined sensitivity and creates better human beings." - Delia
To promote this, she founded the Delia Steinberg International Piano Competition, which continues to launch the careers of young musicians today.
The Eternal Student
Delia never positioned herself as a guru. She viewed herself simply as a student who had been studying a little longer than others. She often spoke of her own training with great humility, recalling how her teacher's honesty inspired her:
"He was the first person I ever heard say 'I don't know.' That inspired great confidence in me. Only the vain are sure they know everything."
This spirit of intellectual honesty—admitting what we don't know so we can keep learning—became the hallmark of her leadership.
In Her Own Words
Watch this interview where Delia discusses the definition of love, the importance of art, and the future of philosophy.
(Note: Video is in Spanish with English Subtitles)
Your Actions Shape the Future
We believe that to build a better world, we must first build better human beings, and that starts with service. When we give our time and energy to others, we don't just improve our city; we transform ourselves. Don’t let your philosophy stay on the page. Bring it to life with us.