Preparations continue for the 41st European Youth Meeting organized by the Taizé Community in Madrid, Spain, from 28 December to 1 January 2019. A statement from the Archdiocese of Madrid informs that 170 parishes across the city are involved in the reception of participants and the organisation of the events scheduled.
The statement, however, indicates that despite the generosity of many, 8,000 beds are still needed to accommodate the numerous participants, aged 17 to 35, who will be coming to Madrid from all across Europe.
Therefore, the Taizé Community too made “an urgent appeal to all inhabitants of Madrid to offer accommodation: families, religious communities, individuals and elderly people. Two square metres are enough to accommodate a participant! Pilgrims will have their own sleeping bags and mats, nothing else is needed”, but a small breakfast will be appreciated, since all other meals are provided to them by the Organisation.
Like previous Taizé meetings, the gathering in Madrid aims to build “trust and solidarity among the peoples, through prayer, reflection and commitment to sharing the experience of the Christian communities of the city”, the statement from the Archdiocese reads.