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10 May 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
Ottmaring, where dialogue is vital
Today there are 140 inhabitants. 40 years of experience in dialogue, between Lutherans and Catholics of different nationalities, in the Citadel of the Focolare Movement, and the initiatives for the Week of Unity.
When she referred to ecumenical dialogue, Chiara Lubich used to talk of dialogue of life, of the people. Anyway, about something that is not born only from theological reflection, but from rubbing against each other, from visiting each other every day, and that during the trials of life puts into practice the teachings of the Gospel, common to all Christians, regarding the love of our neighbour; a love that knows no ecclesial confines of any type. Referring to the general consent that is born in such a context, Chiara Lubich had said:
“We know how in history other ecumenical undertakings have failed, because this consent was missing, it is essential to unity.” When the Focolare Movement began to expand in Germany, the contacts with members other churches were immediate. And later, when it appeared possible to even build a citadel on the model of Loppiano, in Italy, but inhabited by Lutherans and Catholics, the idea seemed the answer to a dream that of living together a life based on Christian love. In 1968 this idea took concrete form at
Ottmaring, in the vicinity of Ausburg. The citadel comprises 30 constructions and a centre for spirituality at the service of the many visitors that come to ascertain on the spot this original ecumenical living together.
Characteristic of the life in the ecumenical centre is the unity in Christ and the ecclesial diversity of the members living in a spirit of reconciliation. Around 140 inhabitants live at Ottmaring; they belong to the Focolare Movement and the Fraternity of Communitarian Life (Bruderschaft von gemeinsamen Leben) that has its origins in the evangelical world. In both groups there are youths, adults, families and communities. All come from profoundly diverse experiences of faith and ecclesial traditions. There are also numerous nationalities represented, a diversity that is enriching.
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10 May 2011 | Non categorizzato
14th March 2009 was Chiara Lubich’s first anniversary. With a live event entitled “With Chiara – a dialogue that continues” people around the globe retraced the steps of her life. One of the most significant experiences shared at the event was that of Mons. Dziwisz, who closely accompanied John Paul II. He was ordained priest by Wojtyla in 1963 and was by his side as secretary for 40 years. He is now Cardinal of Krakow, a role once held by his friend Karol. The following is a transcript of what he said in the video-taped interview.
Video: Interview with Msgr Stanislao Dziwis (Italian soundtrack)
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10 May 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
Liliana Cosi
In the 1960’s Liliana Cosi was a young ballerina at the beginning of her career. This interview retraces the steps of that period in Moscow.
“An Italian swan conquered the USSR”, was how an Italian newspaper headlined after your debut in Moscow back in 1965. What was the story behind this headline?
I was in Moscow for my second year of apprenticeship at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy as part the historical cultural exchange between Milan’s La Scala and Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre. My Ballet Mistress, Irina Tichomirnova, decided to teach me the role of prima ballerina for Swan Lake. It was a very new and very challenging experience for me. Ms. Tichomirnova was very demanding- she literally sculpted each of my movements, each of my gestures – but I was up for it!
As we draw closer to the debut (I think she was more nervous than I) she said to me, “Now forget everything I’ve told you and dance with your Italian soul!” Then in the changing room, a few minutes before going on stage, she took my head in her hands and made three signs of the cross on my forehead… she didn’t know that I was Christian; I didn’t have any outward signs.
Liliana Cosi and Rudolph Nureyev
I had just met Chiara’s Ideal and it had taught me that love of God was something to be lived out, not put on display. The next day the Soviet newspaper Isvietzia reviewed the performance and described my dancing as full of ‘spirituality’, an expression that had never before been used in that newspaper! That debut was the beginning of my career.
Did you go to Moscow alone?
Liliana with Valeria Ronchetti
No. Other than the small group of Italian ballerinas who lived in the Bolscioi School Residence and of whom I was group leader, there was also Vale: Valeria Ronchetti one of Chiara’s first companions who had come to Moscow to accompany me. It’s difficult to describe how important those months were for me: a phase of radical change of mentality that influenced (and continues to influence) my whole professional, spiritual and human life. Something that perhaps sums up that period is one of the things Vale said to me: “You don’t have to dance for Jesus; it has to be Jesus in you who dances”.
Did you go back to Russia afterwards?
I was invited back often by the Soviet government: right up until 1989 I went on tour not only around Russia but also in the various capitals of the Soviet Union. I did over 130 shows there and, as a jury member, I took part in three international ballet competitions in Moscow.
What did you take away from the experience in Russia?
From a strictly professional point of view it gave me a lot. At the time there were many dance masters and artists at a very high level. Right up until today they are models for me when I teach and coach at our dance school and ballet company. As a life experience it taught me that you can live the Gospel anywhere and that this Gospel based lifestyle fascinates even those who don’t know anything about it.
