Zagreb, (IKA) – On October 2 at the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences in Zagreb, the Director of Communications for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Dr. Yago de la Cierva, presented the program of this event to all the presidents of the bishops’ conferences. “World Youth Days have become unprecedented means of evangelization. It will be a great gathering. We anticipate 10-15% more participants than were Cologne, Germany, five years ago,” said Dr. de la Cierva. According to the currently available information, the largest number of participants are expected from Italy (125 thousand), followed by Poland (70 thousand), Germany and France (50 thousand each) and the United States (30 thousand). Furthermore, the number of persons coming from smaller countries is also expected to increase. More than two million people are anticipated, of whom the organizers estimate that there will be a million from Spain, approximately 600 thousand from other European countries and the remainder from other continents. Approximately 20 thousand volunteers will be involved in the organization, of whom 5 thousand will be from countries other than Spain.
The Closing Mass and Vigil will be held on a large space in the vicinity of the airport where the young people will spend nearly 25 hours. “We do not want what is important, the genuine Church values of vigil and prayer, to be lost. Therefore, we will strive to make this great event a genuine celebration of faith and gathering of young people,” said Yago de la Cierva.
Dr. de la Cierva emphasized that it had been decided that each World Youth Day should offer visitors the genuine cultural traditions and values of the local community and country hosting the manifestation. Therefore, the schedule will be Spanish, everything will take place late into night because Spaniards actually live that way. All the museums and cultural sights will also be open until late at night.
Another important aspect will be high technology, which will enable the largest number of people to participate. All interested persons will be able to register via the web pages and it will also be possible to make contributions via the social networks (Facebook, Twitter etc.). One of the sponsors is the national telecommunications company, Telephonica, which has approved 8 million free messages to be sent to the group leaders with essential information in several languages. A portal will be launched where everyone who so desires can make monetary contributions. Currently, 180,000 young people are communicating on the social networks in over 19 languages.
“Through the social networks, we are asking young people what the caps and T-shirts should look like, and for suggestions about the main event. We encourage young people to make symbolic financial contributions, i.e., 1.20 euros, in order to help those in need who would like to come to Madrid. We wish to create a common platform so that the young people can communicate among themselves,” added Yago de la Cierva, a professional journalist who earned his doctorate in Rome.
The Director of Communications noted that assistance has also come from the Spanish Government, although not concrete monetary assistance. However, all the sponsors of the event will receive 50% tax exemptions. All the participants who require an entrance visa for Spain will receive one without charge. Furthermore, the Government and municipal authorities will permit free admission to all the museums and cultural institutions.
WYD will assemble three to four times the number of people that attend the Olympic Games. A lot of money will be spent, of which a large share will be earned by the city firms, said Dr. de la Cierva.
When asked how many people will be staying with families, he responded that they are counting on approximately 100 thousand families who will offer lodging in their homes. The remainder will sleep in schools and town halls.
In conclusion, Dr. Yago de la Cierva mentioned that great attention will be devoted to journalists, the press center, the premises where journalists will be working and their transportation. “As I already told you, I am a journalist so I know what it’s like when the press are put somewhere where they can neither see nor hear.” The contract for building and designing the press center will be awarded via a competition, added the Director of Communications for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid.