So far 200,000 enrolled” “

World Youth Day in Cologne is becoming a central event in the life of Germany, as preparations continue for the great youth jamboree in August this year. A protagonist at the World Tourism Fair in Berlin, an occasion to promote cultural exchange and knowledge of the history and traditions of Germany, WYD is also revitalizing the activities of the ecclesial movements and wider collaboration. So far some 200,000 youth from 155 countries have enrolled in the event. WHo’S COMING TO COLOGNE? “At a time when many things are going badly, a meeting like this is important as a sign of common commitment”, said Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Osnabrück, chairman of the Commission for youth ministry of the German Bishops’ Conference, during the second meeting of bishops on WYD 2005. Held at Wesseling on 3 March, the meeting was attended by some 80 representatives of the pastoral ministry in Germany and aimed at reviewing preparations for the 20th WYD and the effects it is already having. On the basis of current data, approximately 2/3 of the youth who have so far enrolled are Europeans, of whom 40,000 Germans; some 15% come from North America and the rest from other continents. “In view of the international meeting and the exchange between guests and hosts, the high number of twinnings so far realised is particularly encouraging”, declared Father Georg Austen, WYD secretary within the Bishops’ Conference. “So far – he continued – over 2,000 groups from all over the world have enrolled with the intention of twinning with German parishes, associations or groups”. YOUTH Festival. The programme of the youth festival organized by the archdiocese of Cologne was presented in Cologne on 15 March. Some 250 events are to be staged in August, divided between Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf. The entertainments proposed by the youth festival range from hip-hop to classical music, from theatre to dance. A “Welcome! Festival” is also planned, with the participation of international guests and new groups. The Union of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) and Catholic charities have also organized the festival “Bridging the World”, involving artists from four continents in a programme of music and dance. Each person enrolled in WYD will receive a “Wjt-Card”, with reductions on entrances to museums, swimming pools or guided visits. WYD AND TOURISM. The WYD has also made its appearance at the International Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin, the largest specialized showcase in the world for the sector of tourism. On 13 March, Hermann-Josef Johanns, delegate administrator of WYD, participated in the event and emphasized the fruitful cooperation between WYD and the tourist industry. “The biggest youth event in Germany represents an excellent opportunity also to promote tourism in our country”, declared Johanns, who emphasized that the WYD may represent “a pilot project also for tourism, since “the young pilgrims of today are the tourists of tomorrow”. WYD AND ECOLOGY. In line with traditional German sensitivities to environmental issues, the organizing office of WYD has formulated a series of principles for an ecological WYD: for example, in the WYD offices, recycled paper is used for brochures and publicity material. The same goes for the pilgrims’ booklets. The building work now progressing at Marienfeld, the site of the final Mass with the Pope, is also being conducted according to ecological criteria. Ecology is also a protagonist in Bonn with the “global village” of the youth of the Catholic association KLJB; the aim is to raise awareness about renewable sources of energy. THE CROSS ON THE RHINE. After a 16-hour voyage down the Rhine, the Cross and icon of WYD arrived in Cologne on board the “Enterprise” between 19 and 20 March. The first to descend from the boat was the auxiliary bishop of Speier, Msgr. Otto Georgens, who was received by the archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner. The arrival of the symbols of WYD occurred in the presence of some 3,000 onlookers, television troupes from the ZDF and WDR channels, and large numbers of journalists. The Cross and the Icon were handed over to the youth of Cologne and borne in procession to the city’s cathedral, where they will remain until the meeting of the young with the Pope. The arrival of the Cross and Icon were greeted with applause by the faithful of the diocese of Cologne; church bells rang out in jubilation; flags and banners were waved by members of the Schönstatt movements celebratory salvos were fired by the Schützen and hundreds of balloons released into the sky.