Thisn catholic event expected to be held over six days from August 16 – 21 2011 in Madrid, Spain focused on youths. The event will cost around €50 million, half paid through taxes (at national, regional and local level) and half by private entities, mainly Santander Bank, Telefónica and El Corte Inglés. Pope Benedict XVI revealed the location of the event at the final Mass in Australia at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse during World Youth Day 2008. It will be the second time that Spain will host the event. World Youth Day 1989 was held from August 15 – 20 1989 at Santiago de Compostela. Spanish bishops are urging the Pope to name a patron saint for the 2011 event; they have suggested Saint Rafael Arnáiz Barón, whom Benedict canonized in late 2009.

Theme: Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (Colossians 2:7)

LOGO

The meaning of this logo and what it inspires is pretty clear:

• The cross, of course, emphasizes the centrality and supremacy of Jesus in our lives, in the Church, and in the World Youth Day celebrations.
• The crown represents the crown of our La Virgen de la Almudena, the female patron saint of Madrid (San Isidro [St.Isadore] is the male patron saint). According to legend, when the Moors controlled Spain, the Catholics hid this statue of Our Lady with a “fold of a wall” (“almudaina” in Arabic) or in a nearby storage for grain (“almudit”). When Alphonse VI reconquered Madrid, the statue was miraculously discovered, and it is now venerated in Madrid’s Cathedral. Supposedly, we are Mary’s crown, for the youth of the world will gather with our Holy Father to stand with Mary at the foot of the Cross.
• The red M that forms the left half the of the crown is for “Madrid” and “Maria”.

According to the designer, Jose Gil-Nogués, “The [logo] has a spontaneous and strong stroke, as the youth of the twenty-first century. It’s close, friendly, open, cheerful, casual and positive…The use of a palette of warm colors (red, orange and yellow) transmits an unmistakable warmth and heat, identity of a city like Madrid, Spain as a country. These colors are also a reflection of the warmth of God, ‘Trinity of Love.’”

The logo was selected after a competition among professional graphic designers.

HIGHLIGHTS

SOON