Motivated and determined to stop, reflect, understand, and share in the face of the third world war in pieces. The three villages on Peace highlighted the protagonism of the young people and their desire for change.
by Paolo Loriga
Undoubtedly, there was a choice. The forecasts, well in advance, of rain and cold for the entire day, the fact that this time May 1st was not connected to a long weekend, the fatigue and the cost of a trip for just one day discouraged quite a few young people from the desire to reach the citadel to participate in the 52nd edition of the May 1st event in Loppiano. The same topic of peace, set as the theme of the meeting, may have demotivated some groups, now saturated with too much talk about peace (which does not exist) and about the sixty or so wars that the presumed powerful of the planet cannot stop.
But the 600 who came – welcomed by 200 peers of many nationalities present in the citadel – were truly motivated and intent on seeking those “Paths of Peace” (the title of the event), sharing the questions, insecurities, and hopes they had brought in their backpacks. They were not seeking answers from politics and diplomacy, they were not attracted by vague proposals for some “ceasefire”, nor were they waiting for something reassuring. The peculiarity of the program (like every May 1st in Loppiano) lay in the fact that it had been designed by young people for young people. Thus, the condition of powerlessness and disorientation in the face of conflicts pushed them to become seekers of the reasons and foundations of Peace in personal life and in that of peoples. We are witnessing international political choices that are leading straight towards a war economy presented as the only possibility to stop wars. And they are not accepting it, choosing a culture of Peace.
The three thematic villages, which characterized this May 1st, allowed highlighting the various aspects of such culture. Starting from “Inner Peace”, passing through “Peace with others” up to “Peace in the world”. “We want to stop, observe what happens around us, reflect, share ideas, proposals, and, together, find ways to act, becoming artisans of fraternity and peace,” was the route given at the beginning for the navigation of the day. Verbs that reveal courage and determination: to stop, to observe, to reflect, to share, to find, to become – reveal an inner and social dynamism. Rivelatori di un dinamismo interiore e sociale.
On stage, the absences of personal and familial peace were not overlooked, later resolved by embracing the uncomfortable verb of forgiveness for oneself and towards others. Forgiving one’s own past in a way to then be active in “for – giving”, as the title of a beautiful song text sealed. And then workshops on dialogue with oneself, with others, with differences, with the ever-challenging endeavor of openness, acceptance, integration were presented.
The substantial presence in the “Peace in the world” village – with themes on artificial intelligence and peace, unarmed economy, peace and art, water and regional tensions, urban planning and cities to pacify, hijacked peace and international politics – emphasized the desire of young people to understand, the drive to broaden horizons, the desire to be involved in processes. This was also evident in the opening program of the United World Week, a global streaming event at 1:00 pm for an hour and a half, where testimonies were given by groups of young people from the Focolare Movement in various parts of the world, engaged in social initiatives to help the marginalized and projects of inclusion, as well as active in international volunteering and fraternity. In other words, head-heart-hands to be there and make a change. Actions and actors networking with each other and with others, with local initiatives and global visions, with ongoing processes triggering change. They may not yet stop wars, but a culture of Peace is spreading that is changing behaviors and choices. These young people are already the change they want to see.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been May 1st without music, dances, choreographies, as well as very catchy songs with clear and strong messages about peace. It wouldn’t have been May 1st without the contribution of some members of the citadel, from the expertise of Sophia’s professors and experts from the Industrial Park Lionello to the vibrant contribution of Gen Rosso and Gen Verde, as well as other appreciated artists. It wouldn’t have been May 1st without the presence and collaboration of various groups and organizations outside the citadel, with whom the journey is a source of enrichment and testimony on the paths of Peace.