” “Practising winter sports in Cologne in August? Yes, that can be done: thanks to the World Youth Day, which with great creativity has included them in the twinship schedule which will go on from August 11th to 15th. So you can happen to see 50 young Filipinos from Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, where they are currently working, bobsleighing down a hillock of artificial snow in a sports centre in the village of Bottrop. "We had never seen snow before Wednesday said 23-year-old Marie Cesaclang to Sir when the boys and girls from the parish church of Saint Laurent at Gelsenkirchen took us to the sports centre. It was amazing. Seeing snow was the last thing on our minds, especially in August. We had a few hours of great fun and we also hurled snowballs at each other". But Marie will not forget those who have stayed home in Dubai. "We live in an Arab country claimed the girl but we have a church where we celebrate our rituals. Of this WYD, we expect support to talks with Islam, which I consider feasible, and of sharing the same faith with so many boys and girls from all over the world. We need it". The experience that next Saturday is in store for the young people from the diocese of Reggio Calabria is no less amazing. For them, the German twin city of Mainz has planned no less than a bobsleighing race on grass. "We can’t wait to know what it is about told Luigi Arcudi, from the young diocesan pastoral . I am sure it will be a surprise for everybody". The schedule of the youth from Calabria also includes a tour of the Jewish Museum.
