A grand opening of the IUSY FESTIVAL 2000!
A grand opening of the IUSY FESTIVAL 2000! The International IUSY FESTIVAL 2000 (the International Union of Socialist Youth) hosted by the Swedish Socialist Youth in Sweden was this evening officially opened. The opening ceremony included speeches by Mikael Damberg - the president of Swedish Social Democratic Youth and party secretary of Swedish Social Democratic Party - Lars Stjernqvist, a pop concert and 6000 cheering young social democrats from over 100 countries. It was a festive atmosphere filled with expectation that dominated the opening ceremony when 6000 young social democrats singing and shouting marched in to the gigantic tent on the festival area in Malmo. It was a very proud president of the Swedish Socialist Youth who spoke at the ceremony. Mikael Damberg ridiculed the thought of the conservative youth arranging a similar festival: "Just imagine. What it would be like if the conservative youth were gathered like this - what kind of speakers would attend such a festival? Augusto Pinochet on the subject of 'Democracy and Human Rights'? Helmut Kohl on 'Financing a Party', or Jörg Heider on 'The Multicultural Society'? Not much to be proud of." The festival became bigger than expected when an additional 1000 people were registered. Now 6000 young social democrats from over 100 countries to discuss politics and take part in manifestations for the international solidarity. International networking was one of the subjects of Swedish Social Democratic party secretary Lars Stjernqvist's speech: "This world needs co-operation and democratic networks. You will have the possibility to get acquainted with many other young people from all over the world this week. Take that opportunity!" Stjernqvist's request for co-operation over boarders of nations is something that the young festival attendees will take seriously when social democrats from over 100 countries are gathered at the largest IUSY festival in 20 years. Entire speeches are available at www.iusy.org where information on seminars, guests and others are available. Contact the press secretary staff on 070-592 60 38 or 040-15 57 91. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/07/25/20000725BIT00140/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/07/25/20000725BIT00140/bit0002.pdf