Focolare Movement

WYD: Gen Rosso concert in Barcelona

Aug 16, 2011

On the evening of August 13th, more than 30,000 young people from all over the world filled the enormous seaside esplanade in Barcelona.

On August 13, the international performing arts group Gen Rosso performed at World Youth Day to an audience of over 30,000 young people who travelled to Spain from all over the world. The concert was in preparation for the 26th occurrence of this great youth event, already underway. The Gen Rosso musicians write: “The majority of the young people staying in the host city of Barcelona have come from France, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, but also from Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, Uganda, Syria…”. The cardinal of Barcelona, Msgr Luis Martinez Sistach, challenged the young people present from all over the world “to love every person without distinction, but to have a preferential love for the poor”, encouraging them to imitate Jesus by following Mary’s example. To love people indiscriminately” – state the members of the Gen Rosso band – “seemed to be the perfect admission ticket to our evening concert!” The band is not new to World Youth Days. We ask them what they expect from this one in Madrid: “Today many young people react against a system that doesn’t think about them; the WYD is another expression of rebellion, but not against something or someone, but to promote the Gospel values that Jesus left us”. Fresh from tours in Cuba, Jamaica, China, Morocco, we ask them to give us a brief impression:  “There’s so much to say… but we have to summarise it in an SMS! A common denominator that we found, here too, is that of seeing that a united world is possible, that it is not a utopia.  We found so many young people in these countries, all different, yet extremely willing to share our values and adhere to the ideals of universal brotherhood”. The concert you presented is new: “Indelible Dimension”.  What is it about and what do you want to convey to spectators? As always, Gen Rosso tries to show its identity through its concerts.  ‘Indelible Dimension’ has something more: it aims to convey the indelible marks left in our souls through coming directly in contact with so many young people from all over the world.  A great number of them have become part of our lives and we of theirs.  This ‘dimension’ goes straight to the heart of the spectator as well“. The day after the August 13 concert, a Catalan newspaper highlighted the group’s international identity, lived in a spirit of brotherhood, as the quintessential essential element to build a cohesive society in today’s times. “Our hearts are filled with gratitude towards God” – state the ‘Genrossians’ – “for giving us this first beautiful moment with the Barcelona youth.  Here we found a youthful and lively Church!  Now Madrid awaits us!”

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