Festival in Vienna

Vienna, the well-known capital of Austria, will be the site of the Seventh World Youth Festival this year from July 26 to August 4, to which all youths are invited.

Although these festivals have been held in Europe previously, they do not attempt to put across any political line and are becoming broader in their approach to all kinds of youth organisations.

The preparatory committee of the festival which met in Stockholm last year consisted of many varied youth movements, including the Y.M.C.A. International. Zionist Youth of Israel, French Youth Hostel Association and many others unknown in this part of the world.

At the festival there will be a large cultural and sporting programme, as well as meetings of various professions, religions and of students. Unesco participated in the last festival and its project, devoted to the mutual appreciation of the cultural values of East and West, will form part of the programme of the festival.

The Chancellor of Austria, in a broadcast last year, mentioned his Government's unanimous agreement to hold the festival in Vienna and the vice-chancellor, in an interview, said: "The young generation has inherited a certain mistrust from their fathers, which has been expressed in the relations between peoples at the time of stormy events of the past years. The more youth of different countries meets under peaceful circumstances the more quickly will distrust disappear. It was precisely for this reason that the Austrian Government agreed to grant permission to hold the VII World Youth Festival in Vienna."

Thirty-one New Zealanders attended the previous festival in Moscow, two years ago, and all agreed it was worthwhile. More details of this year's festival regarding fares, visas and accommodation can be obtained from C.P.O. Box 2133, Auckland.

—B.Mc.