CUL – EX 2023 Bangalore: A South Indian Youth Cultural Exchange

On 25th and 26th of November Don Bosco youth Services, Province of Bangalore (INK) organised the CUL-EX 2023 in Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore. Fr. Uday Kumar the Regional Youth Director of Karnataka with the assistance of Fr. Kaplikunnel  Verghese, the youth Ministry Deligate of Bangalore Province and Fr. Manu, the regional Youth Director of Kerala  took the Leadership to host the programme. The theme of the programme was “Bridging borders: Celebrating Diversity, Cultivating Unity.

Nearly 150 Youth along with their animators had gathered in Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore from the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Telangana. It was a Two days Programme aimed at providing opportunity for the young people to discover the cultures of the others in order cultivate appreciation and respect towards the cultures of the others.

On the first day, the Youth had gathered at Don Bosco Church in Lingarajpuram, and after the breakfast the youth and the animators were solemnly welcomed by the Tumkur Youth with a traditional band. Fr Shalbin, the Vice Provincial of Bangalore Province, who was the Chief Guest of the event inaugurated the programme and gave an inspiring message to the youth exhorting them to involve in breaking the cultural barriers and to work towards bringing peace and harmony in the society. Fr. Jose kutty, the Parish Priest of Lingrajpuram Parish,  Fr. K.O. Varghese, Youth Ministry Delegate,  Fr. Joji, the Youth Director, Province of Hyderabad. Fr. Rozario, the Youth Director, Province of Trichy,  Fr. Manu, Regional Youth Director, Kerala, Fr. Uday, Regional Youth Director, Karnataka,  Sr.Suguna, Asst Director at Fernando Convent, Mysore, Fr. Mahimai Dass, Animator of Lingarajpuram, Fr. Aloysius, Fr. Nilgal Christuraj and Fr. Arun were present for the programme.

After Lunch the youth had the Bangalore Darshan visiting Vidhana Soudha, Don Bosco Degree College, Kristhu Jyothi College. There was a campfire in Don Bosco College ground after which the youth had dinner in Kristu Jyothi College and returned to Provincial House.

The second day began with a fancy dress competition and then there was a video presentation depicting the cultural heritage of the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. It was followed by sharing in groups about the cultures of the each other after which we had the Solemn Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Jose Koyickal, the provincial, Province of Banglore. And after Lunch we had the Cultural programme to culminate the two days programme. Many groups from various parts of the four states performed depicting the culture of their place. Finally Fr. Kaplikunnel Varghese, the youth ministry delegate of the province, Fr. Uday, the regional youth director of Karnataka, thanked everyone who made the two days event memorable.