Speaking at the Press Conference of the “Ascoltare, Leggere, Crescere ("Listen, Read, Grow"), Review meetings with Religious Publishing”, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime reflected on the current period that has affected humanity: "We believed that we were strong, masters of the world: the pandemic has taught us that we are fragile and that we who are more fortunate and richer must know how to respond, to address the many forms of poverty that exist in the world. From the pandemic either we save ourselves together or we do not save anyone". He then added: "In the face of the pandemic, Don Bosco would have been the first to move in favor of others, as the Salesians in the world have done and continue to do and would have urged us to be creative, to open up, to share knowledge and to be in solidarity".

After the Press meet, the event was officially opened with the lectio magistralis (keynote address) of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime on the theme “the Educational Challenge in Times of the Pandemic”. "This time of pandemic has highlighted ever more on the importance of Education, which together with the themes of health and work have been very crucial. The health crisis has made it possible to realize that Education is much more than teaching: it is relationship, communion and acceptance", recalled the Rector Major. On this occasion, the fourteenth-century Seal of the Municipality of Pordenone was delivered to the Rector Major by the Mayor Alessandro Ciriani, as a tribute to the almost hundred years of Salesian presence and service to the city.

This recognition to the Rector Major is intended as a tribute to the Salesian Congregation of St. John Bosco for its presence in Pordenone since 1924 and as stated in the motivation of the conferral "it is a source of pride and great testimony of the rootedness of the values of the Salesian community in the City which, step by step, is preparing to celebrate its first 100 years under the open, joyful and innovative guidance of Don Bosco, to whom the Pordenone students owe their education and instruction".

Regarding the presence of the Salesian Family in Pordenone, Fr Fernández Artime in his own words expressed "to thank the city where Don Bosco's charism took root and to thank the people who have welcomed Don Bosco and his sons over the years. With the hope of continuing to write beautiful pages and continuing the journey together, in a welcoming manner, just as the Salesian Oratory is always welcoming".  

Fr Giuseppe Costa SDB and Sandro Sandrin, of the “Events” Association, presented this rich and varied programme, which in this 15th edition, was conceived for a 'new normality' according to the provisions for the containment of the pandemic, which provided for 'in presence' events in Pordenone and throughout the region, with events that will be available on TV and on the web. The calendar of events is intense and high-profile: over 40 events have been scheduled with 90 guest speakers, 10 video-conference meetings and 26 books presented, ranging from economics to ecology, from history to theology, from education to emigration.

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