by Grażyna Starzak
How are the Salesians preparing for this celebration?
When we started to prepare we identified some goals, including one to ensure that as many young people as possible could attend. For many young people from Poland and the neighbouring countries, this is their only opportunity to participate in such an event, so we lowered as much as possible the cost of participation by making use of our infrastructure in Krakow. Another objective was to give the young people logistical information that is practical, reliable and up to date. We have created a special office, which runs a website in four languages. Finally, another priority is to provide full security to ensure that the Salesian Youth can feel at home.
How Many Salesian young people will participate?
In mid-May about 5,500 young people from 60 different countries had registered.
Will the Salesian Youth have a chance to display their talents?
On 27 July a specific characteristic of Salesian spirituality will be evident, namely joy and celebration. This is a tradition that dates back to the time of Don Bosco and we continue this tradition. Of course, the main actors will be young people. All of them will be on stage, and there will be performances of music, song and dance. There will also be a chance to taste some national food specialties!
What do you remember of the World Youth Days you attended?
I participated in three World Youth Days. In Częstochowa, in 1991, as a young priest, I worked in the press office. For us the WYD was an historic event, because it was our first encounter with the whole world of young people.
The second was in Paris, in 1997. It was an explosion of youth with great enthusiasm from all groups. I remember that our leaders were able to "conquer" even the Italians and passers-by. I also remember the multitudes of young people who filled the streets of the French capital. The organizers were not prepared for such a large number of young people!
Also I participated in World Youth Day in Rome in 2000. I think the experience in Paris allowed me to understand the significance of the occasion as an experience of faith embodied in different cultural contexts.
