On 12 July 2024, the closing ceremony of the 35th International Parafiada of Children and Youth took place on the campus of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. The event was attended by the University authorities under the leadership of Prof Jarosław Gołębiewski, Vice-Rector for Didactics, Fr Carles Gil i Saguer, University Assistant. Carles Gil i Saguer, General Assistant for Europe, Olympic athletes who are close friends of the Parafiada: Ludwika Chewińska, Urszula Kielan, Jan Stuczyński, and of course the participating boys and girls with their coaches, trainers, teachers, priests from various dioceses and congregations, lay people and religious who are committed to holistic education according to the triad of “stadium, theatre, and tempo”, i.e. in three dimensions, the physical, the cultural and the spiritual. The Parafiada is a week of sport, culture and faith and is the largest event of its kind in Europe.
The 35th Parafiada was solemnly opened on 7 July in the Shrine of Our Lady of Youth in the Polish capital. The solemn mass was broadcast by the national television channel “TVP Poland”. It was presided over by the Polish Prime Wojciech Polak and concelebrated by Father Provincial Mateusz Pindelski and Father Carles Gil, who was present for most of the week.
On Monday evening Fr Carles Gil gave a talk on the lives of children and young people on the African continent and on Thursday he gave the homily in which he explained the difference between trophy and treasure. He said that the Parafiada has at least three treasures: Community, Faith and Service. As for trophies, I leave them on the shelf,” he said, “where they can gather dust. Treasures, on the other hand, cannot be kept in the museum of life. You have to live them,” said Father Carles. He then amazed the crowd by recalling the names of many of the participants and relating them to their abilities. He confessed that he will carry them to Rome in his heart and in his memory.
During the same Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr Rafa Roszer, Aleksandra and Paweł, members of the first aid group, celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. 15 years ago, they said “I accept you and I promise you…” in the same place, i.e. in the big tent of the Parafiada, in front of all the participants and their relatives, and now also in front of their children”.”
More than 700 people from Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Germany and Poland took part in the Parafiada, totalling 49 teams. Among them: 19 foreigners and 30 from the country, with participants representing their schools, parishes, sports clubs and Polish organisations abroad. The organising committee consisted of 89 people, including 49 volunteers, whom we would like to thank. This year’s 35th Parafiada took place under the patronage of honour of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda.
Under the patronage of President Józef Joniec, the programme consisted of three pillars: a series of sports competitions in 24 disciplines, both individual and team game tournaments; knowledge and art competitions – singing and theatre – and workshops as part of the “Art Convention” project; a training programme – this year under the motto “My Place” – was a spiritual journey to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Bethany, Jerusalem, as an ecclesial community on the way to the heavenly Jerusalem.
There were a total of 1033 sporting events, of which badminton and ball throwing were the most popular. A total of 269 medals were awarded, and the winners also received diplomas and trophies. On the other hand, the winners of all types of competitions received statuettes, diplomas and prizes. The most important thing, however, is that these figures conceal wonderful moments of joy for the children and young people taking part. They were able to stand on the podium to the rhythm of fanfares and applause from their peers.
The Fair Play Award was presented to Nikodem Błaszczyk from the “Tenisista” sports club in Pelplin-Rudno. During a football tournament, the referee awarded a penalty that gave his team the chance to score a goal. The player admitted that the referee’s decision was wrong as there was no foul. In the end, the referee did not recognise the penalty.
The prize for the general classification went to two teams, namely a foreign team from the parish of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Dolina, Ukraine, and the team of altar servers from the Krakow Piarist parish “LSO Kraków-Wieczysta” in Krakow.
Finally, Fr Rafał Roszer, the new President of the Parafiada Association, thanked Fr Tomasz Olczak, who held this office for two terms. He also thanked the members of the organising committee, especially the group of volunteers, as well as the Parafiada observers and participants. As the Parafiada flame went out, he gave the closing speech and invited everyone to the next 36th International Parafiada for Children and Youth, which will take place in Warsaw from 13 to 18 July 2025.
