Informationen und nachrichten
The XXII International Franciscus Congress, attended by nearly 600 participants, was held in Seville from Sunday, October 29, 2023, to Saturday, November 4, 2023. It was organized by the four Spanish entities that are part of Un-Foe-Prae and was conducted under the supervision of the Presidium of the International Federation.
The congress began on Sunday, October 29, with a visit to the city of Córdoba, including a tour of the renowned Mosque-Cathedral.
On Monday, October 30, participants engaged in an extensive tour of Seville, exploring its major tourist attractions.
The official opening ceremony of the congress took place on Tuesday, October 31, at the FIBES Congress Palace, with the attendance of various authorities. Greetings were also delivered via videoconference, making it one of the most moving moments of the event. The ceremony was presided over by Albert Català, President of Un-Foe-Prae, alongside Maria Antonia Martorell, President of FEB, and Antonio Arias, Executive Vice President of the congress. Simultaneous translation was provided in the four official languages of Un-Foe-Prae.
In the afternoon, a meeting of Un-Foe-Prae presidents was held, followed by the inauguration of the Nativity Market, featuring 45 stalls.
Over the next three days, participants were divided into three groups of 200 people each and took part in various excursions, including visits to:
. The International Museum of Nativity Scene Art in Mollina
. Exhibitions in Jerez and San Fernando
. Various museums in Seville
Additionally, several workshops were conducted by artists demonstrating their unique techniques in crib making and clay modeling.
On the final day of the congress, a roundtable discussion was held on the future of Nativity Scenes. In the afternoon, the general assembly of Un-Foe-Prae took place, during which five medals were awarded, and the ceremonial baton was handed over to Austria, which, along with three other countries, will jointly organize the XXIII International Congress in 2028.
