(ANS – Rome) – Today, 8 December, the official logo of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco is released. It will accompany all the commemorative celebrations of the year, scheduled to last from 16 August 2014 to 16 August 2015.  The theme will be: "The Mission of Don Bosco with and for young people."   The icon is simple, but full of meaning. It depicts graphically the impact of the figure of Don Bosco and that of young people and the Salesian Family.  They are the main actors in a history of Christian friendship that in now approaching two centuries.

The Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez, was involved in the selection of the logo. He had already chosen the reference model from among the many entries that reached the Generalate House and he offered his own observations.

The logo was designed by a graphic artist, Emigli Fabrizio, who had previously collaborated on several occasions with the Social Communication Department in designing various graphic products. "In designing the final logo for the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco,” said Mr. Emigli, “I thought I would highlight and rework some of the elements already present in the logo that accompanied the period of preparation for 2015: the stylized face of the saint and the silhouette of young people and adults".

One of the features of this logo is the unusual freedom given in the choice of colours. "The logo depicts the continuous evolution and application of the Salesian charism. For this reason it was decided to leave it to each province to adapt the colours, depending on the culture and sensitivities of their situation, and consequently also to translate the word 'Bicentenary'. We want to convey the idea of ​​a charism that is becoming more and more inculturated over the years," said Fr Filiberto González, Councillor for Social Communication.

From the point of view of composition, the figure of Don Bosco stands free from any frame that limits the space. Lower down, the figures of young people overlap, together with the image and a nun, all joined hand in hand and preparing for a joyful leap into the future. This image suggests that 200 years after the birth of Don Bosco, the Salesian Family - the vast movement founded  by him – is united along the way he has shown us, in joy, in fidelity to the Gospel and to the Church and to the charism.

Finally, the figure '200 ' is also included in the scene of the action, and the figure of Don Bosco stands on it, as on a solid base. At its heart is the belief that Don Bosco, with his charism and his mission to the young, will never get old!

The logo and the use thereof are the property of the Congregation. It is not by chance that it is being presented today, 8 December 8^th, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, placing the Bicentenary celebrations under the blessing of Mary. We should not forget that it was on 8 December 1841 that Don Bosco met Bartholomew Garelli, a young person in need of human and religious education.  He was the first of many young people to benefit from the work of Don Bosco and subsequently of the Salesians and the Salesian Family.

The logo file can be downloaded on sdb.org.

Published 12/08/2013