June 27, 2008

World Youth Day week jam-packed with fun for families

Sydneysiders and their families are invited to be part of the spirit of World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) these school holidays, with a host of exciting free activities on offer throughout the July 15 – 20 event week.

“World Youth Day is open for all to attend and all are very welcome,” said WYD08 Chief Operating Officer, Danny Casey.

“Although primarily for pilgrims, there are so many opportunities for some good family fun – all of which is free!”

An event planner is listed on the website, where public are encouraged to plan their attendance of WYD08 events: www.wyd2008.org/eventplanner

Families are encouraged to attend a host of major events as well as some Youth Festival activities:

Major Events:

• Tuesday 15 July: Opening Mass with Cardinal Pell at Barangaroo 4.30pm – 7.30pm Families should plan to arrive early at Barangaroo. When the venue fills, we will have screens available at TheDomain, Darling Harbour and Sydney Opera House Forecourt.

• Thursday 17 July: Papal Arrival on Sydney Harbour 2.45pm – 3.30pm: Papal Boat-a-cade : a 13 boat flotilla from Rose Bay to Barangaroo, East Darling Harbour. Families are encouraged to go to public vantage points including Bradley’s Head, Pyrmont Park, Blues Point, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Circular Quay; 4.45pm – 5.30pm: Papal Motorcade through Sydney CBD Families should go to the Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Circular Quay, George St, Bridge St, Dawes Point, and Macquarie St

• Friday 18 July: Stations of the Cross production 3pm – 6pm A re-enactment of the last moments of Jesus’ life played out over six sites. Families are encouraged to go to Darling Harbour where one of the Stations will take place or watch the whole production on screens at Circular Quay, Royal Botanic Gardens and Crescent Precinct in The Domain.

• Saturday 19 July: Evening Vigil, Southern Cross Precinct ( Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park) 7pm – 9pm For families who want an evening experience, the Vigil with the Holy Father will be a spectacular event.

• Sunday 20 July: Final Mass, Southern Cross Precinct ( Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park) 9am – 12.30pm The Holy Father will do a fly-over in a helicopter of Centennial Park and Randwick Racecourse at 9am, then return for a Papal motorcade through Centennial Park and Randwick so everyone can have a Papal encounter. Large screens will be established and communion will be distributed throughout the precinct.

There are also several family-orientated events as part of the Youth Festival, which takes place over the whole week. Highlights include:

• Pilgrimage to St Mary’s Cathedral will feature the relics and photographic presentation of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, one of the WYD08 Patrons, as well as the specially commissioned painting of Our Lady of the Southern Cross. Friday 11 July – Monday 21 July @ St Mary’s Cathedral

• Come to the Water Fr Stan Fortuna, a rapping priest from the Bronx, popular Christian singer Matt Maher, Blessing of the “God’s Squad” motorbikes and releasing of doves. Wednesday 16 July, 2.30pm – 8.30pm @ Bondi Beach

• JESUSWALKS Public art installation of 33 life-size sculptures of Jesus by emerging Australian artists in several locations across the city 15-20 July @ Cockle Bay, The Domain, Hyde Park and more

• Carnivale Christi 2008 , Student association from the University of Sydney Bavaria Forever: a pilgrim party to celebrate Pope Benedict’s arrival with a traditional Oompa band and Bavarian food and drink from the Holy Father’s homeland; International Soccer Tournament: The Papal Plate Thursday 17 July, 7pm – 10pm @ University of Sydney

• Voices of Light: The Passion of Joan of Arc Performance by the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Chamber Choir accompanied by the screening of Carl Dreyer’s silent cinema classic The Passion of Joan of Arc. Families can bring picnics and enjoy the screening under the stars Wednesday 16 July, 8pm @ The Domain

• World indigenous dance Tribal rhythms come to Hyde Park when representatives from Korea, Samoa, Fiji, Polynesia, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand and Asia present an eclectic and kaleidoscopic mix of traditional and contemporary world dance. Wednesday 16 July 2pm – 10pm @ Hyde Park

• Resonaxis Musical lovers will be excited by the unique musical fusion of this band which blends the secular and the sacred – Acid Jazz meets Gregorian Chant. Wednesday 16 July, 3pm @ Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

• Caritas Australia will host a multimedia exhibition about peace-building, reconciliation, climate change and refugee experiences. Learn how the Australian life compares to other disadvantaged nations. Wednesday 9 July – Saturday 9 August @ Customs House, Circular Quay

The event planner is found at: www.wyd2008.org/eventplanner and the Youth Festival guide is located: www.wyd2008.org/youthfestival