By Cibele Lana- Focolares Brasil Editorial team

Music, theatre, dance and testimonies are just a few of the highlights of the Genfest Central Event, which takes place at Aparecida (San Paolo).

The countdown has begun of one of the most awaited events of 2024! From 19-21 July, thousands of young people from Brazil and across the world will gather at Aparecida (San Paolo) for the Central Event “Together to Care”.  The event will welcome 6,000 young people between the ages of 18 – 35, representing 50 countries.

This second phase of the Genfest, will be live streamed to 120 countries, connecting thousands of young people from all over the world who share in the experience of working together for universal fraternity. If anyone would like to participate there is still time to book.  For further information please visit the official website.

Since the first Genfest fifty years ago, this is the first one to be held in Latin America. The stage is set for a colourful programme of music and choreography, led by our own Genfest Band, bringing together experiences, good practices and Pathways to universal fraternity, according to many specific themes.

Another highlight will be the presence of international music group Gen Verde, throughout the festival.

The message of Genfest is to spread awareness to as many young people as possible and involve them in creating a new cultural paradigm founded on fraternity and caring for the environment, with a special focus on those who are the most vulnerable.  As well as individual and collective experiences by the young people themselves, Genfest will welcome guest speakers, ‘spark changers’, who are experts in their field, to inspire and help us in creating this new culture.

Among the experts will be Italian economist, essayist and journalist, Luigino Bruni (scientific director of the Economy of Francesco); Carlos Palma, General Co-ordinator of the Living Peace Project in Uruguay; education for peace; Choie Funk, co-curator of The Philippines Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2023; Myrian Vasques, from Brazil, advisor and indigenous consultant of AMIT ( Associação das Mulheres Indígenas Tukano); and the Brazilian singer, rapper and activist Jander Manauara.

Bookings for phase two costs 250,00R$, and includes participation at the 3-day Central Event and four meals (19 July: supper: 20 July: lunch and supper; 21 July: lunch).  The total cost may vary according to the choice of accommodation and lifts to and from Aparecida Airport.

The three phases of Genfest

The first phase takes place from 12 – 18 July 2024 throughout various cities in Brazil and Latin America, giving 600 young people the opportunity to carry out volunteering activities in 35 civil organisations, in collaboration with UniRedes.

Phase two will take place at Aparecida from 19-21 July and constitutes the main event of the festival. Over the three days, young people will have the opportunity to present their own experiences of promoting peace, universal fraternity and a united world, through artistic performances, testimonies and other forms of expression.

Finally, the third phase, from 21-24 July, will be an opportunity for 2000 young people to extend their Genfest experience by participating in the ‘Pathways’ community, with moments of encounter, workshops, laboratories, discussion groups and other activities, once again in the presence of experts in various fields.

PROGRAMME FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF GENFEST

FRIDAY 19 JULY 2024

Morning –    Arrival and Registration

Afternoon – Tour of the Expo: ’A network that is all of us’ with spaces for spontaneous performances

Evening –     A Latin-America Celebration

SATURDAY 20 JULY 2024

Morning –    From Genfest 2018 to Genfest 2024: Pathways towards a United World

Embrace Humanity, Spark Change: experiences, moments of artistic expression, dialogue with spark changers and more celebration

Evening – Guest Appearance and Concert by international music group Gen Verde

SUNDAY 21 JULY 2024

Morning – United World Communities: Where do we go from here to continue to build a united world?

Celebrations and Conclusions (Time-Out for Peace)

Further information

To book for Genfest and stay updated with the latest news, visit the website www.genfest.org.  If you would like to give a donation to help other young people participate in the Genfest, this can be done via bank transfer or PIX.  The password for PIX is genfest2024@focolares.org.br.  Bank details for payments by transfer can be made to: Banco do Brasil (001),

Agencia 3583-1,

Account no. 4448-2, CNPJ:05.056.796/0001-18, using reference MOVIMENTO DOS FOCOLARES MARIAPOLIS GINETTA

Text by Bruno Briti – Genfest Press Office – journalist MTB 32.441   Tel (12) 98218.3382/May 2024

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