Since the beginning of the Focolare, the youth have always been present and as protagonists, making their own the goal of contributing to build the human family in fraternity. Since 1967, to the cry of “Let us unite”, the first Gen groups have multiplied. Chiara Lubich broadened their horizon to all the youth of the world. As an outreach of the Gen Movement, a few years later, in 1983, the “Youth for a United World - (Y4UW) Movement” was born.
The Genfests have marked the history of the Gen and of the “Youth for a United World - (Y4UW).”
• 1973 – Loppiano (Florence) 8,000 young people gathered and carried out what became the first Genfest in history.
• 1975 – In Rome, the Palaeur Sports Centre was packed with young people who were received and blessed by Pope Paul VI. From that moment on, the Genfest became an appointment for all the young people every five years.
• 1980 – In the midst of the Cold War, 40,000 gathered at Flaminio stadium to witness that a united world is possible. The title was “For a United World.”
• 1985 – Genfest 1985 was a turning point: it signaled the baptism of the “Youth for a United World - (Y4UW) Movement". The title was: “Many roads for a united world.”
Through her talk, Chiara outlined the Y4UW programme for the “United World” project where the “Many Roads” converge to: “the way to unity among generations, among different peoples, between north and south; among Christians of different denominations, of the most diverse Religions; the way of unity between the rich and the poor through a communion of goods; among nations at war for peace; the way of unity between humans and nature; the way of development; among persons of different ideologies, cultures, etc.”
• 1987: in 40 nations spread over the 5 continents, 120,000 youth gathered in national Genfests to focus on the “disunity” of their land and start specific, concrete goals.
• 1990: At the Palaeur Sports Centre, youth from Eastern Europe were also finally present, following the fall of the Berlin Wall. They were welcomed by the very person who had contributed to its collapse: John Paul II. The title of this Genfest was: “United World – Ideal that Makes History.”
• 1993 – 55 Genfests took place throughout the world.
• 1995 – A worldwide spreading of the event was reached through satellite transmission and internet linkups, launching the first United World Week: days in which the various initiatives are concentrated in order to make an impact on public opinion each own nation.
What makes it fascinating is a strong ideal: convince the world that it is a “time for fraternity.” The title was: “Let’s show a united world.”
• 2000 – The Genfest became an event within the World Youth Day in Rome. It was an occasion to witness the radical life of Chiara “Luce” Badano, proclaimed Blessed on September 25, 2010.
Chiara defined the Genfest of 1975 as a ‘moment of God,” and further spoke of the Genfest as a “waterfall of God.”
We want to prepare ourselves for Genfest 2012, making of every moment of our day a moment of God, taking advantage of this extraordinary occasion to draw into this great adventure of unity the largest number of young people possible!
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento