Source:
www.focolare.org
At
the Mariapolis Lia a Youth Festival with the colours and warmth of Latin
America. A bonfire with an off-season carnival masquerade.
The
youth festival held last 28 September 2014 at the Mariapolis Lia ended with a
symbolical event. The long-awaited one-day festival had been carefully prepared
ahead of time by the young people who have spent a period of time in the little
town of the Focolare Movement in Argentina.
“We
are aware of the many problems besetting our world, and some think that it is
up to the others to look for solutions. Here in the citadel there are 90 boys
and girls from 20 different countries who have decided they were not going to
wait any longer. We want to be the actors of this change, and we have found the
formula: work to build the unity of the human family.”
This
was how the young organizers opened the festival onstage, addressing the 1,000
young people who responded to their invitation. They came from Argentina,
Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. Four hundred came from distant cities, and had
arrived the day before. Through various activities they got to know more about
the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the little town. They toured the various
work stations, the small factories where the inhabitants share their own
talents for the benefit of everyone. In the evening, they got the first
shocking proposal: to pass the night without alcohol, but with music, dance,
the most modern choreographies and… the response was enthusiastic!
Early
the next morning, an unexpected greeting was launched, with which the
commitment of each one was boosted by worldwide support. At the Mariapolis
Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Italy) the Focolare’s General Assembly was about to
close and the President, Maria Voce, on greeting the people all over the world
during an internet link-up said: “Allow me to give a special greeting to the
youth gathered at the Mariapoli Lia, in Argentina, who are about to start their
Youth Fest. We are all there with you, so that you may express your joy and
involve all the participants in the theme you have chosen.”
The
entire event was full of creativity: Masks, colours from all over and a
splendid sun created the right atmosphere for the launching of the festival.
Suddenly a murga (typical theatre groups of Uruguay) invaded the scene; various
characters emerged initiating a programme of songs, dances and drama scenes.
Some
shared personal stories on their efforts to be authentic in their decisions
made, on living the present moment and making a firm choice of Jesus as the
ideal of their lives. They affirm: “We’ve had a beautiful experience here in
the Mariapolis Lia; we have started out on a journey which is leading us
towards universal brotherhood and we have dedicated a year of our lives to this
goal.”
“It
is precisely with this “mad love” that we are able to give of ourselves, when
we try to accept one another as we are, taking off the masks which make of us
just another number in the meaningless crowd.”
After
this daring challenge, the festival proceeded with moments of prayer, games,
and workshops, and to conclude, throwing into the bonfire the masks all had
received upon their arrival. It was an invitation to take to the places where
each one lives, studies, or works, this way of living they experienced at the
youth fest.
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