A bonfire with an off-season carnival masquerade. The youth festival held last 28 September 2014 at the Mariapolis Lia ended with a symbolical event. The long-awaited one-day festival had been carefully prepared ahead of time by the young people who have spent a period of time in the little town of the Focolare Movement in Argentina. “We are aware of the many problems besetting our world, and some think that it is up to the others to look for solutions. Here in the citadel there are 90 boys and girls from 20 countries who have decided they were not going to wait any longer. We want to be the actors of this change, and we have found the formula: work to build the unity of the human family.” This was how the young organisers opened the festival onstage, addressing the 1,000 young people who responded to their invitation. They came from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. Four hundred came from distant cities, and had arrived the day before. Through various activities they got to know more about the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the little town. They toured the various work stations, the small factories where the inhabitants share their own talents for the benefit of everyone. In the evening, they got the first shocking proposal: to pass the night without alcohol, but with music, dance, the most modern choreographies and… the response was enthusiastic! Early the next morning, an unexpected greeting was launched, with which the commitment of each one was boosted by worldwide support. At the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Italy) the Focolare’s General Assembly was about to close and the President, Maria Voce, on greeting the people all over the world during an internet link-up said: «Allow me to give a special greeting to the youth gathered at the Mariapoli Lia, in Argentina, who are about to start their Youth Fest. We are all there with you, so that you may express your joy and involve all the participants in the theme you have chosen.” The entire event was full of creativity: Masks, colours from all over and a splendid sun created the right atmosphere for the launching of the festival. Suddenly a murga (typical theatre groups of Uruguay)  invaded the scene; various characters emerged initiating a program of songs, dances and drama scenes. Some shared personal stories on their efforts to be authentic in their decisions made, on living the present moment and making a firm choice of Jesus as the ideal of their lives. They affirm: “We’ve had a beautiful experience here in the Mariapolis Lia; we have started out on a journey which is leading us towards universal brotherhood and we have dedicated a year of our lives to this goal.” “It is precisely with this “mad love” that we are able to give of ourselves, when we try to accept one another as we are, taking off the masks which make of us just another number in the meaningless crowd.” After this daring challenge, the festival proceeded with moments of prayer, games, and workshops, and to conclude, throwing into the bonfire the masks all had received upon their arrival. It was an invitation to take to the places where each one lives, studies, or works, this way of living they experienced at the youth fest.