guests and exhibits

THE THOUSAND FACES THAT REVEAL THE
EMERGENCE OF THE HUMAN PERSON
From Saint Augustine to Europe, passing through Chesterton, Planck, and much more, a first taste of what we will see in Rimini.

Showing that the emergence of the human is possible, not just giving out a cry of alarm: this is the intent of the Meeting. The vast panorama of encounters, stories and testimonies has this goal, even during these times of a condition of emergency. John Waters, an Irish journalist, will explore the theme: “The Human Person: A State of Emergency,” in his keynote speech on the first day of the Meeting.  Testimonies on “What Reawakens the Human” will be given by Aleksandr Filonenko, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Chark’ov, Americans Anujeet Sareen (financial manager) and Jonathan Fields (musician), University of Peking Professor Tianyue Wu, and the Cambodian Claire Ly.
Of note among the most important encounters are those with maestro Lev Dodin, a Russian director and playwright, artistic director of the Maly Drama Theatre of Saint Petersburg, who will speak about “Theatre and Freedom.” Joseph Weiler, of the New York University School of Law, will speak on law and justice, while Elizabeth M. King, of the World Bank, will address education and human capital. Archaeologist Giorgio Buccellati will give us a look at the past to understand the present.
Regarding science, this year’s Meeting will focus on the Planck project, with the participation of such internationally renowned professors as Paul Davies, Nazzareno Mandolesi, José Ignacio Latorre, and Marco Bersanelli. A round-table discussion on religious freedom will feature Paul Bhatti, Pakistani Minister for National Harmony and Minority Affairs, among others. In the inaugural performance on Sunday, August 18th, Sandro Lombardi will play Saint Augustine of Hippo: passages from the saint’s Confessions will show the dramatic itinerary every person follows in the discovery of meaning in oneself and the world. Another production will be “A Living Man,” with the impetuous Innocent Smith, born of the imagination of G.K. Chesterton. Pietro Sarubbi, who played Barabbas in The Passion, will bring us Saint Peter, in a text by Giampiero Pizzol.
In addition to the exhibit on the Russian martyrs, other exhibits will focus on united Europe, from the Atlantic to the Urals, and on the Foundation for Subsidiarity. A journey through history and documentation of the experiences of social, cultural, and economic constructiveness will show how the Old Continent can return to being a place of true newness for the whole world. The exhibit organized by the Euresis Association will tell the story that began 10,000 years ago, the work of human beings to exploit the fruits of the earth, describing the ancient dialogue between man and nature, in order to show a virtuous interaction and to try to respond to the challenges of feeding an increasingly numerous population.
“The Veil of Manoppello,” an image as tenuous and transparent as a slide, is thought, on the basis of detailed studies, to be the veil with which Veronica wiped Jesus’ face as He walked to Calvary. The exhibit presents the unpublished Relatione Historica, written by Fr. Donato da Bomba in 1648, about the arrival of the veil in the Abruzzo region of Italy.
But this is just a quick sampling. You can find updates as they are posted at www.meetingrimni.org.