The first YMCA Europe Festival was organised in Prague from the 3rd to the 9th of August 2003, under the title: “Inspired to serve”
When the European Alliance of YMCAs (EAY) moved its office from Geneva to Prague in the mid-1990’s, this beautiful and ancient city was at last being recognised for what and where it is – the very centre of Europe. The move was a direct result of what is probably the most important event in Europe in the last 30 years – the demolition of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.
Tonight the EAY will not only celebrate its 30th birthday, but also its history and the achievements it has made over its lifetime. And it’s quite a history. For the first 15 years the Alliance was essentially an alliance of Western European YMCAs. This was because, for political reasons, YMCAs simply did not exist in Eastern Europe. Under communist rule, their activities were stopped and their funds and buildings taken away for use by the state.
Following the fall of the wall and the overthrow of communist rule in many European countries including the Czech Republic, YMCAs in Eastern Europe started to re-emerge from the ashes. Suddenly the EAY doubled in size, and could now boast 40 member countries.
These days the European YMCAs play their part in the Alliance at many different levels. Many Western European YMCAs, the ones that are well established with a long history, support the newer ones as they take their place on the world stage. And over the 30 years the EAY has had three secretary generals and two presidents.
Tonight Jan Nissen the current president and Johan Vilhelm Eltvik who is the current secretary general will be joined on the Main Stage at YMCA Europe 2003 Festival by the Mayor of Prague Pavel Bem to lead the festivities. The birthday party will continue long into the night with live music and singing from the four corners of Europe and beyond.
7’000 YMCA festival goers head to the old town centre today to share their music and performances.
Today the YMCA goes to town! Its time to leave the YMCA village at Letna Park and show the people of Prague what the YMCA is all about. There are stages in the old town, performances in parks, shows besides the Vltava river, activities all over the place! The Rolling Magazine Show sets up in the Old Town Square and will give the people of Prague the chance to see first hand performances by YMCA artists from countries from right across Europe. Its going to be a great day with acts as different as gospel choirs and street dancing.
YMCA Europe 2003 Festival has reached its last day and soon it will be time to travel home to our real lives and start to think about school, college and work. This wonderful week has been full of fun, laughter, communication and inspiration.
7’500 people came to Letna Park for the Festival from all over Europe and beyond. They took part in 576 hours of fascinating and instructive workshops. And they ate a lot of food – 120’000 meals served by the Festival Village caterers.
We are delighted to say that the YMCA Europe 2003 Festival has been a great success. Now it’s time to say a BIG thank you to the people who made it happen. The Festival would not have been possible without the hard work, talents and dedication of volunteers. The 130 strong red T-shirt crew have done an outstanding job, and the 55 strong orange T-shirt Czech crew have helped to deliver vital services for everyone at Letna Park this week. We are all grateful to them and inspired by their dedication.
And finally here is a message for all participants of the festival:
“THANK YOU TO YOU – FOR COMING ALL THE WAY TO PRAGUE AND BEING PART OF OUR SHARED, ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE”
Check out the programme here including: outdoor, sport, workshops, children daycamp, market place, expo, blue tent, evening & late night activities.
INSPIRED TO SERVE (festival song)
Come along join the song of the YMCA
Let’s discover our neighbours in Europe today
Raise your hands lift them high as you ride
In the wave – come on
Come along join the world of the YMCA
We are one, we’re united let’s share of the way
We will learn from each other and make
A chance – come on
Chorus
Set free and I am on fire
Spirit is lifting me higher
Here we go, here we go –
Inspired to serve
Come along join the spirit of the YMCA
We will hope and believe, love each other and pray
We will offer our gifts for a better day – come on
I’m gonna serve
I’m gonna serve
I’m gonna serve
I’ll serve forever
Words and music: Judy Bailey
2003 Dyba Music
http://www.judybailey.com
Photo album of the Festival
