The official opening is at 19.00 (Italian time) – the celebration of 50 years since the start of Loppiano (Florence-Italian), the first international centre of the Focolare and a place of an on-going experience of a lifestyle based on dialogue and intercultural acceptance. Pope Francis will send a video message to the citizens of Loppiano and to all those following the event. The President of the Italian Council, Matteo Renzi, has confirmed his participation, out of a friendship that has linked him to the town for years, ever since the days when he was involved in politics in Tuscany. The event, which will be streamed live on loppiano.it and TV2000 at 22.30, marks the beginning of a year of cultural initiatives, a journey of discovery and dissemination of the values ​​that animate the life of Loppiano and which have attracted what is estimated to be more than one million two hundred thousand people from all over the world over these past 50 years. With its current 800 inhabitants from over 60 countries, Loppiano is an on-going inter-cultural workshop, a learning experience at the service of peace and harmony between peoples. The first 50 years of the International Centre will be retraced through interviews with the protagonists of the early days, international artistic contributions and witnesses from people of non-Christian religious and cultural traditions who, on returning back to their own countries, have translated their experience in Loppiano into political action, work and educational models in different social and cultural environments. The synergies with the local area and civil institutions are presented through the contribution of different cultural and economic components of the town and the local communities. Hosts for the evening are actress Barbara Lo Gaglio together with the actors Paolo Bonacelli and Fabrizio Bucci. The whole event is a co-production between Loppiano International Centre and TV 2000. The event is part of LoppianoLab, a national workshop of economy, culture, citizenship, communication and training with the method and vision of the culture of unity.

Link all’evento Loppiano: www.loppiano.it Blog Facebook Twitter @LoppianoLab Twitter: #50Loppiano The event will be transmitted live  loppiano.it and by TV2000 at 22.30 CET.