austraLasia #2122

"Can you whistle?": new Salesian association in the making

ROME: 10th April 2008 -- It's all over bar the shouting - definitive text will be voted on this evening. But a surprise intervention yesterday in the Aula came as more than comic relief.  The indomitable 'papi' aka Daniel Federspiel, got up, and partly clad in clown attire (well, don't get me wrong, he was more than partly clad; in fact a few additions like a bright red nose....) proposed a new association.  Ppapi in fact said nothing except an introductory line, that he would be 'speaking in the language of Bartholomew Garelli'. From then on he simply gestured and whistled, while someone else read out his proposal.  It brought the house down. The proposal went like this:
    A group of Salesian Chapter members met during GC26 to share ideas in the arts field.  We were 13 in all, interested in different areas in the arts: theatre, music, singing, circus.  We recalled that Don Bosco gave this involvement of the arts importance for education and evangelisation of the young. Unfortunately, in our scene, we feel that this area has been somewhat overlooked.  It also seems that sometimes the confrères have certain gifts for theatre, music, magic etc but act more or less off their own bat.
    In our short meeting we shared our experiences in the arts as used in various education settings where we work.  We emphasised the language of art, in harmony with the youth culture and world. There are many opportunities for educating to critical awareness, spirituality and leadership on the part of the young in these fields.  Young people, instead of being consumers and passive, can become creative producers, of culture in their own setting.
    We want to look after this artistic reality in Salesian settings and accompany confrères in developing and integrating their artistic gifts. This can be done with appropriate formation and teamwork.
    Three points emerged to give attention to: knowledge, sharing, linking
1. Knowledge: make a survey, asking provincials and delegates at the Chapter to give us a list,  so we can know which confrères have these gifts in the provinces
2. Sharing: Put information up on the web regarding what we do in these areas in our settings, and what productions we have
3. Linking: put all this into regular contact and, in time, set up an association of Salesians who work in the arts field.  First step for this would be to set up a web site.
    We have found that the Social Communications Faculty at the UPS is particularly interested.
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Title: australasia 2112
Subject and key words: SDB General GC26, Artistic association
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2112