About 10,000 youngsters 6,000 from the Czech Republic and 4,000 from Slovakia are expected in Velehrad (a shrine in Southern Czechia, close to the Slovak border, dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius) from July 18 through 20 to celebrate World Youth Day together. This meeting, entitled "Activ8", is organized by the offices for the pastoral care for youth of the two bishops’ conferences and has involved about 500 Czech and Slovak volunteer workers so far. "Activ8" is an acronym which refers to the English quotation from the Gospel which was chosen as the general theme for this year’s WYD: Act Iv 8. Delegations of Polish and Hungarian youths are also expected to participate. According to the organizers, the main purpose of this initiative is to reach out to youngsters who cannot travel to Sydney, but also "to strengthen relations between Czechs and Slovaks, revive cultural traditions and enhance cooperation". To liven things up, a "bold, ambitious and so far unique" music project has been ser up: "ProActivBand", a band of 71 youngsters (50 choir singers and 21 musicians, half Czechs and half Slovaks). Young people gathering in Velerhad will be able to follow the main WYD events in Sydney on megascreens.
