The executive director of World Youth Day Madrid 2011, Yago de la
Cierva, recently stated that “nobody should be bothered” by a group of
young people gathering for a festival and paying for it out of their own
pockets.
In an interview with Europa Press, De la Cierva said some of the criticism of World Youth Day “has been based on incomplete or biased information.”
In an interview with Europa Press, De la Cierva said some of the criticism of World Youth Day “has been based on incomplete or biased information.”
“It shouldn’t bother anybody that a group of
young people use their own money organize a festival in which they
aren’t going to be disparaging anyone.”
“Either it’s a lack of information or rancid prejudice,” he stated.
De la Cierva said the event is a “great international festival” that can help “improve the situation for young people.”
De la Cierva said the event is a “great international festival” that can help “improve the situation for young people.”
While many people think
religion is a “negative factor,” young people see it as “something
positive that well help them to be better.”
Regarding protests against the Pope planned to take place the day before his arrival in Madrid, De la Cierva said Spain is “a free and democratic country” where freedom of expression is allowed within the limits of “public order and respect for persons.”
Regarding protests against the Pope planned to take place the day before his arrival in Madrid, De la Cierva said Spain is “a free and democratic country” where freedom of expression is allowed within the limits of “public order and respect for persons.”
De la Cierva said the final cost of the event has not yet been
determined, but that nearly 5,000 new registration forms are coming in
each day.
“This means more television screens, more showers and more
food.”
“We are adjusting the expenses according to the number of people
who register to attend,” he said.