Gen Rosso in Uruguay

“The most important thing I experienced during these two days with Gen Rosso was to see my dream come true: to feel strong and alive without the need to use violence.” This was the impression shared by Veronica, one of 200 teenagers that took part in a three-day workshop organized by the international band during its tour through Montevideo, Uruguay. The tour also took in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. Fazenda da Esperança was the promoter of this initiative.

The Gen Rosso Band members explained: “Strong Without Violence is a project geared towards teenagers and young people, offering formation in a culture of peace, legality, preventing all forms of school violence, revenge, bullying, teenage suicide, teenage issues and dropping out of school.
With positive success in several other nations, this time the project gathered 200 young people from at-risk areas in the capital of Uruguay. One of these associations is the Nueva Vida Centre: “I remember when we arrived in this area on the outskirts,” recounts the director, Luis Mayobre. “We were welcomed by stones that were being launched at us by teenagers. Seeing our young people today in full action onstage, together with their peers and launching a message of non-violence has really moved me.”

The novelty of the Strong Without Violence Project lies in the fact that the teenagers are actively Involved in a stage performance, with a workshop on dance, music, set design and set-up. They go onstage with the professional artists as main actors in the show.

“Awesome! It was amazing,” says Inés overcome with emotion. “We did two concerts, May 21 and May 22 with the Clara Jackson Theatre (capacity1,200) completely filled, quite an uncommon thing in our parts; and you couldn’t tell the kids apart from the artists: they were completely integrated.” Laura had watched those children grow up and knew well the great work that is done at the Focolare’s Nueva Vida Centre and at other institutions in the area, to provide a positive future to the young people that is far removed from drugs and other dangers.

The setting of this “Streelight” Show is Chicago in the 1960s. It tells the true story of Charles Moatz, a young Black American from the Focolare who was murdered by a gang because of his efforts to build a world that was more united. With his choice of non-violence Charles had sealed his fate. But his radical lifestyle would lead his friends to discover new and unimagined horizons for their own lives.

“Phrases like: ‘If you want it, you can do it,’ ‘Love conquers all,’ ‘Love can do all things’ and ‘If you want to win over a city to love, get together with friends who think like you do’ . . .” continued Laura. “It all seemed to fall like drops of due upon the hearts of the people here. And it all came out with such a force that I was trembling. There was such great sympathy between the audience and the people on stage. I had invited a friend who, after a short while was so moved that she was sobbing. I think God has hit hard at our very doorsteps.”

Uruguay press, which is strongly secular, mentioned the unusual event in a news article boastfully titled: “200 young Uruguayans prepare at an intensive workshop to go onstage with a musical performed with the international Gen Rosso Music Group” “So happy to see my son on stage!” wrote the mother of one of the boys who had become an instant artist. “I thank the Nueva Vida Centre that has always aimed to give the opportunity to him, to grow as a person.”

And Patty: “That ‘If you want it, you can do it’ will remain forever burned into the hearts of each of these teenagers and of all those who were here. Thank you! You’ve charged our batteries and transmitted a very contagious energy.”