Little did I know when we went wandering last night in Borgos that we would stumble upon a cultural explosion!
As we neared the Cathedral we heard the sound of drums and singing and assumed some kind of concert was going on. Curious, we decided to explore.
Upon entering the courtyard through a stone entryway we were suddenly faced with a huge crowd of young people dancing, singing and chatting at the tops of their lungs. Standing on my tiptoes, I caught a glimpse of a stage in front of the Cathedral. Over my head vibrant flags waved in the night breeze: Algeria, France, Canada, Germany, and some I didn't recognize. A teen rushed past me into the press of people, an Australian flag draped around his shoulders like a cape, flying out behind him."El Papa es nuestro padre!" Shouted a girl from the stage, and everyone cheered and took up the chant.My friend Candace translated. "The Pope is our father."
We had wandered into a World Youth Day celebration!
Youth from different countries took turns taking the stage, sharing songs. The drums throbbed and reverberated through the square, providing a pulse for the shrill flutes and guitars. I found myself yanked into a giant conga line in between a guy sporting a cowboy hat and a girl wearing a dirndl, a traditional Austrian dress (picture the curtain clothes Maria makes the kids in "The Sound of Music").
Laughing, we raced around the square, slapping hands with other youth as we snaked our way through. I was at first worried that the language barrier would be frustrating, but smiles and hi-fives seem to be universal.
Camera in hand, I approached a group of teens with red World Youth Day t-shirts and matching berets."Where are you from?" I yelled over the noise.
There was a slight pause, then one of the girls called out an answer. "France!" "Can I take your picture?" I gestured at my camera. Eagerly they assembled in picture formation, waving and giving me thumbs-up.
"Un, deux, trois..." I count" Cheese!" Some of them reply. I grin at them. "Merci." Before darting back into the dancing crowd, I call to them "Madrid!"
"Oui, Madrid!" The party goes on, everyone swaying to a slower song and singing the chorus, a single word repeated. Alleluia. Lights flash a kaleidoskope of colors. Flags fly. Hands are raised in praise and celebration, all under the ancient and beautiful facade of the Borgos Cathedral.
The Church yesterday and today.
--Mary-Kate
As we neared the Cathedral we heard the sound of drums and singing and assumed some kind of concert was going on. Curious, we decided to explore.
Upon entering the courtyard through a stone entryway we were suddenly faced with a huge crowd of young people dancing, singing and chatting at the tops of their lungs. Standing on my tiptoes, I caught a glimpse of a stage in front of the Cathedral. Over my head vibrant flags waved in the night breeze: Algeria, France, Canada, Germany, and some I didn't recognize. A teen rushed past me into the press of people, an Australian flag draped around his shoulders like a cape, flying out behind him."El Papa es nuestro padre!" Shouted a girl from the stage, and everyone cheered and took up the chant.My friend Candace translated. "The Pope is our father."
We had wandered into a World Youth Day celebration!
Youth from different countries took turns taking the stage, sharing songs. The drums throbbed and reverberated through the square, providing a pulse for the shrill flutes and guitars. I found myself yanked into a giant conga line in between a guy sporting a cowboy hat and a girl wearing a dirndl, a traditional Austrian dress (picture the curtain clothes Maria makes the kids in "The Sound of Music").
Laughing, we raced around the square, slapping hands with other youth as we snaked our way through. I was at first worried that the language barrier would be frustrating, but smiles and hi-fives seem to be universal.
Camera in hand, I approached a group of teens with red World Youth Day t-shirts and matching berets."Where are you from?" I yelled over the noise.
There was a slight pause, then one of the girls called out an answer. "France!" "Can I take your picture?" I gestured at my camera. Eagerly they assembled in picture formation, waving and giving me thumbs-up.
"Un, deux, trois..." I count" Cheese!" Some of them reply. I grin at them. "Merci." Before darting back into the dancing crowd, I call to them "Madrid!"
"Oui, Madrid!" The party goes on, everyone swaying to a slower song and singing the chorus, a single word repeated. Alleluia. Lights flash a kaleidoskope of colors. Flags fly. Hands are raised in praise and celebration, all under the ancient and beautiful facade of the Borgos Cathedral.
The Church yesterday and today.
--Mary-Kate
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