| Spain – “Thank you Don Bosco”, looking to 2015 |
| Portugal – A Musical Show about the Salesian educational system |
“We have decided to embark on this new venture because Don Bosco is so very much up-to-date,” said Piero Castellacci, Director of the Show, in a Press Statement. Castellacci has a high reputation in the world of Italian theatre, and not only there, for a successful series of shows including “Forza Venite Gente”, dedicated to the life of St Francis of Assisi, and “Mother Teresa”. “He was a priest who lived among the people, on the streets. A priest who taught values and saved youngsters from a life of crime,” the Director added.
Opening the Press Conference, Fr Enrico Peretti, Vice-President of the SCS/CNOS Federation, remarked on the happy coincidence of the Faustini production with the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Salesian Congregation and the approaching bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. Something therefore, not commissioned, but which also happily fits in with attempts being made by the “Civil and Social Services – National Centre of Salesian Works Federation” to make itself more visible.
Playing the role of the saint of youth will be Marcello Cirillo, a singer and television presenter. The actor spoke mentioning how in his own youth he had been able to have first hand experience of the characteristic Salesian style of close relationships. The Producer Elia Faustini expressed appreciation for the role played in his early life by the parish oratory he attended. “If I am working in the Theatre today I owe it to the oratory I attended.”
The show describes the difficulties experienced at start the of the first oratories and the beginning of the missionary activities of the new Salesian Congregation, highlighting particular moments in the extraordinary story. There are also references to the historical and social context of the time and some more cheerful and acrobatic moments.
Part of the proceeds from the first evening will go to Salesian reception centres for young people in Lazio. During the Press Conference there was a brief film presentation of “Casa Provvidenza” e “Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco”.
In concluding the meeting Marcello Cirillo, as he invited the journalists to promote the Show said: “The work we have put in deserves it. What Don Bosco did even more so.”
Published 15/10/2008
